Sum, being the natural skeptic that I am, this sounds like one of those ghost stories that get made up and sound believable enough that people pass it down.
Again, I don't know if the ghosts or spirits do exist. I will never discount that they do. Too many things out there that we don't know and can't explain. I'm just saying that specific story doesn't sound so believable.
Now, the rest of your post...totally believable. And I do thank you for posting your experiences. Wish I had some cool ones to post...or well...maybe not.