INTERVIEW: New TV series uncovers mysteries at Blind Frog Ranch
Photo: Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch finds Duane Ollinger looking beneath the surface in eastern Utah. Photo courtesy of Discovery / Provided by press site with permission.
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, a new TV series on Discovery Channel, follows the adventures of Duane Ollinger as he explores his eastern Utah ranch, scoping out the ins and outs of the property with the hope of finding answers to the many questions that have popped over the years. For those who do not know the lore of eastern Utah, this is a mysterious place with unique terrain and plenty of stories of things that go bump in the night.
Blind Frog Ranch, which Ollinger said his father originally purchased with other investors, is believed by local residents to be cursed. There are stories of hidden mines with buried treasure, including rich deposits of gold and silver. Ollinger, for obvious reasons, wants to know whether any of these tales are true.
The reality series follows him as he searches above and below the ranch for some type of confirmation. His efforts have shown promise. According to press notes, there are seven mines under the ground, and he plans to explore their deep caverns for something that might glint in the dark. Helping him are his son, a geologist and a retired sheriff’s deputy.
New episodes of the show air Fridays at 10 p.m. on the network. Recently Hollywood Soapbox exchanged emails with Ollinger about his family’s property. Question and answers have been slightly edited for style.
How did your father come to own Blind Frog Ranch?
He and a couple other investors purchased the project years ago after speculation of buried treasure. Along the way he alone was the one that kept the project going.
Why is finding out the mystery of this ranch and what might be buried there so important to you?
It’s not really that important to me. Now to my dad he has never been on a project that he hasn’t finished, so the drive is to complete what he set out to do. He has lost a lot to finish this project, and my objective is to help my dad. I am always up for an adventure, and to explore for buried treasure is like every kids’ dream to get to do with their dad!
Were you immediately on board for a reality series about the ranch, or were you hesitant?
Very hesitant. I had just sold my home and business to travel with my family when this opportunity presented itself. I was always on board to help my dad, but I have seen a few reality shows and didn’t think it was for me. Then the way Discovery Channel presented it I decided it was worth the risk.
What do you believe is actually beneath the dirt of the ranch? What’s your theory?
I believe the legends of buried treasure that I have heard from the locals. It’s either gold from the Aztecs or Spaniards. The data I have seen from the satellite scans just confirms that gold is radiating from the caverns. …
If one day you find evidence that there’s nothing under the ground, will that be upsetting, satisfactory, freeing?
That’s a great question. … Since we are putting so much time and energy into this project, it would definitely be a letdown to not find treasure.
By John Soltes / Publisher / John@HollywoodSoapbox.com
Mystery at Blind Frog Ranch, featuring Duane Ollinger, airs new episodes Fridays at 10 p.m. on Discovery Channel. Click here for more information.
This is the worst show I’ve ever watched. It is complete BS
I have studied Alchemy since 2006 it makes a lot of sense to me and I can see energy being the missing link. I believe that Alchemy has been solved by meteorites hitting earth I believe there’s two separate meteorites one in Russia which is a Moldavite and one in Utah which is I don’t know but I’m gonna believe in it we are opening are minds to many different formats of existence. You also have to consider all the players in this crazy adventure plus the history. I have waited along time for sand to turn to Meno however I’m just a mycologist what do I know
Heavy Spanish coin found in ‘wash’ coming out of cavern could not had flown out. Find is fake. Aztecs didn’t minted coins. Their gold ‘treasure’ was in primitive jewelry, necklaces, bracelets, etc. However, layer of Iridium and other ‘rare’ minerals are real bc are products of the asteroid which hit the Uinta basin in Utah. These metals are the real, very valuable treasure located in Blind Frog & SkinWalker ranches
I love the show,real or fake I love it.im a adventure oriented good olboy that’s aways ready to go.we have been traveling the west for the better part of a year prospecting for gold and whatever pops up.
Watched each episode of BFR and I still cannot tell if this is part phony or not. Interesting show, I just hope Discovery Channel is not bluffing all of us….we’ll all be pissed if it is. Skinwalkers?….. baloney!…probably people eating peyote buttons or something.
I hope this does not lead to another gold mining show…we have enough of these on Discovery Channel now.
Shakespeare said something about a lot of things between heaven and earth Horacio. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it is not there
Look to the sky at dawn and dusk and you’ll find the cave opening you are looking for the bats enter and exit. Also mark your perimeter with your urine and use smudge sticks to ward off the Skinwalker talk to a shaman and make an offering don’t just take leave something for the spirits
Shakespeare said something about a lot of things between heaven and earth Horacio. Just because you can’t see it doesn’t mean it is not there
Look to the sky at dawn and dusk and you’ll find the cave opening you are looking for the bats enter and exit. Also mark your perimeter with your urine and use smudge sticks to ward off the Skinwalker talk to a shaken and make an offering don’t just take leave something
SkinWalkers, mutilated deers (headless) and dead woman in car and taken immediately by ambulance MTAs and disappeared are fake things introduced to ‘spice up’ the MBFR show with mystery. Intrusion of curious neighbors flying drones over the ranch may be real. Night encounters with neighbors may be stayed. Search inside the cavern is real and box with bored ‘strange’ rocks & tubes with melted metal are very interesting but no the doing of Aztecs. Who placed them inside cavern before it flooded is a mystery