Hi, I am Jim, I love Kentucky, and traveling in and around Kentucky! I also love the entire country, and all of the beautiful and strange places here and there! This blog covers the overlooked, forgotten, and underrated places, people, and moments in history in America, with a focus on Kentucky! It will cover great tourists stops, books about people and history, and include photos and postcard scans.
Friday, April 29, 2022
Catalyst Coffee Greeneville Tennessee 2022
ANOTHER wonderful little coffee shop in Tennessee is Catalyst Coffee, in Greenville. It is inside of the General Morgan Inn, and I love their food, and their sense of mission!
Tuesday, April 26, 2022
Gap Creek Coffee Cumberland Gap Tennessee March 2022
The Cumberland Gap area is so pleasant... and relaxing. The town of Cumberland Gap Tennessee has about one of the most relaxed vibe coffee shops anywhere! A beautiful little stream flows right next to it!
Saturday, April 23, 2022
Greeneville Tennessee March 2022
I think Greeneville might be the most underrated town in the whole state of Tennessee. I really love this small area, as it has some cool businesses, and same great history!
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Matchbook Cover- Kennedy General Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee
I found a great WWII era matchbook cover from Kennedy General Hospital. It is defunct, but, when it was in operation, it was in Memphis!
Hemlock Lodge Natural Bridge Kentucky 2022
Here is a quick look at Hemlock Lodge at Natural Bridge State Park in Slade Kentucky!
Monday, April 18, 2022
Calhoun Kentucky February 2022
I had a chance to revisit one of my favorite hangouts from way back- Calhoun Kentucky!
Thursday, April 14, 2022
Mammoth Arch Cabin Red River Gorge Kentucky March 2022
We found a great cabin recently at the Red River Gorge! Check out Mammoth Arch Cabin!
Sunday, April 10, 2022
Sky Bridge Station at Red River Gorge Kentucky March 2022
In the Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge area of Kentucky, is Sky Bridge Station! They have some great burgers!
Friday, April 8, 2022
Red River Gorge Books by Don F. Fig
While hanging out in the Red River Gorge area recently, I came across these two volumes of books by a Search and Rescuer named Don F. Fig.
I had not heard of Mr. Fig before, but... I know that I don't see many books out there about the Gorge.
As I flipped through the books, I realized that Don Fig, unfortunately, passed away not long ago, and these are reprints of books he published during his life.
AND, I am thrilled to have these books in my collection.
Both books have a very independent vibe to them. There are grammatical mistakes, and the author does repeat himself a little, but those imperfections add to these books feeling... well.... human. You feel like you are listening to an expert telling his stories about the Gorge.
"Tales of the Red River Gorge" is the thicker volume, and it is kind of a folkish history of the area. Don collected stories and histories from the locals in an effort to record a lot of the history before it could be lost.
"So That Others Might Live" is pretty much focused on search and rescue in the Gorge, of which Don was a part of for decades.
The price tag for each book is a bit steep at $25.... but go ahead and splurge on these. Proceeds go to charities including search and rescue. If, like me, you like having interesting and unique books about local history in your collection, you will want these.
I tip my cap to The Gorge Underground gift shop and Daniel Boone Coffee (both a mile or so away from Natural Bridge) for stocking these books.
Wednesday, April 6, 2022
1960s Kentucky State Park Matchbooks
I picked these up on ebay for pocket change recently. A nice selection of matchbooks from the 1960s, promoting several Kentucky State Parks! I really like the art on these!
Monday, April 4, 2022
Raven Rock Slade KY
This undated postcard notes-
Raven Rock in scenic Red River Gorge Daniel Boone National Forest, Slade, Kentucky.
Raven Rock in scenic Red River Gorge Daniel Boone National Forest, Slade, Kentucky.
Saturday, April 2, 2022
Daniel Boone Coffee Slade Kentucky January 2022
Make sure you stop at Daniel Boone Coffee in Slade Kentucky next time you are in the Natural Bridge/Red River Gorge area! This is a great coffee shop/gift shop, and they have good food too! These guys keep the quality up too! This is one of my favorite coffee shops in the state!