Legendary Locations Season 1 Episode 1 Monuments, Mountains and Monsters

Legendary Locations is an exquisite travel documentary series that takes viewers on an enthralling journey to explore the most legendary and mystical places around the world. Hosted by Josh Gates, this show unveils some of the most fascinating tales and histories surrounding a plethora of iconic locations, ranging from the ordinary to the extraordinary.

In season 1's opener episode, 'Monuments, Mountains and Monsters,' viewers are taken on an adventure through some of the most intriguing locations across the United States. Josh Gates sets off on a mission to explore sites that are laden with history, myths, and legends. He travels to three different places in the episode, starting with Mount Rushmore.

Mount Rushmore is the epitome of American history and culture. The iconic place showcases four of the most critical and influential American presidents -George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln- carved into the granite rock, towering in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Josh takes viewers to the behind-the-scenes, exploring the fascinating history-hunting the lore, and understanding the procedure of the enormous monument's creation. He looks at how and why these four presidents were selected to be a part of the sculpture, the challenges the sculptor Gutzon Borglum faced and details the stone carving process.

Moving from the monument, Josh Gates shifts his focus to the beautiful mountains of Colorado. The Rocky Mountains, the backbone of North America, runs through the western part of the United States. In the episode, Gates travels to the famed ski-resort town of Aspen, located in the soaring mountains of Colorado. Once there, he unveils that the town has a sinister history behind the stunning snow-clad peaks. He explains some of the spooky stories and paranormal incidents that have haunted Aspen even since the town was founded in the late 1800s. Viewers can expect spine-tingling tales of ghosts, mysterious photographs, and haunted hotels.

Finally, in what promises to be an adventurous trip, Josh Gates heads to the Pacific Northwest in search of one of America's most mysterious creatures, the Sasquatch, also known as Bigfoot. He visits several sighting locations spanning across the Washington state to investigate and gather evidence. Gates interviews several Bigfoot researchers who each have their unique experience with the elusive creature, and he listens to the mesmerizing stories of the Native Americans, who have been recounting their encounters with the Sasquatch for centuries. While on the search, viewers are treated to the magnificent Pacific coastline, the lush and green Olympic rainforest, and the famous Mount St Helens, highlighting the Pacific Northwest's enormous beauty.

Overall, season 1's premiere episode of Legendary Locations, "Monuments, Mountains, and Monsters," is a remarkable start to an exciting journey into some of the most peculiar corners of America. With Josh Gates' witty humor, the superb storytelling, and the historical context set amidst the breathtaking landscape and sites, this episode sets viewers up for a fantastic, adventurous journey into the legends and myths of the country's iconic locations.