Train by Indiana Dunes National Park 2023

 Here is just a very short video of a train we passed while at the Indiana Dunes!

"Morgan's Great Raid: The Remarkable Expedition from Kentucky to Ohio" by David L. Mowery

 I wanted to mention "Morgan's Great Raid:  The Remarkable Expedition from Kentucky to Ohio" by David L. Mowery.  I have really enjoyed picking up and reading these books from the History Press recently.  They do a good job of covering the battles.

In this one, the author gives a nice account of the Raid.  I think most people who read up on the Civil War know this one, but Mowery gets in to the details of the pursuers, and he gets into the events of each little skirmish (and there are many).  

The Great Raid kind of occurred in areas that I am very familiar with....  I can't tell you how many times I am traveling and I see a historic marker about Morgan, especially in southern Ohio and Indiana.  Well, after reading this one, I know I am going to have to do some road tripping and retrace Morgan's path.

Jesse James Stagecoach Returns to Mammoth Cave Lodge August 2023

On August 12, 2023, a newly restored McCoy Stagecoach from 1855 was driven to the Mammoth Cave Lodge.  This particular coach was robbed nearby- supposedly by Jesse James and company.

We stopped by for the arrival and to hear some of the folks who put this project together talk.

The park superintendent was there to say a few things....  along with a former guide who was born on the property in 1931.  Congressman Brett Guthrie also had a few things to say.

Onyx Cave and Rock Shop in Cave City Kentucky 2023

We had a great guided tour of Onyx Cave with Coleman.  This is one of several great caves that are near, but not a part of, Mammoth Cave National Park.

This is a nice, short cave tour that might be perfect for kids, or people that are a little cautious cave tours.

The Glitz at Irish Acres Versailles Kentucky 2023

If you were to ask me where you should go in Kentucky to celebrate a special occasion, or just to enjoy an incredible meal......  I would tell you to go to the Glitz at Irish Acres.

Seriously, this is a favorite among my friends.

Fluid Coffee Michigan City Indiana 2023

Before we visited the Indiana Dunes, we stopped by Fluid Coffee for the very appropriate "Diana of the Dunes" Latte.  

This is a great coffee shop and we really enjoyed our drinks here.

President Gerald Ford at Concord Bicentennial Celebration Postcard.

"April 19, 1975 Concord Bicentennial Celebration at the Old North Bridge.  On the podium (L-R) Reverend Dana McLean Greeley, John B. Finigan, President Gerald Ford, and Philip H. Suter.
'...We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.'  Declaration of Independence."
This old postcard is unused and undated.

True Crime: Michigan by Tobin T. Buhk

I have been rereading books lately.  I keep a lot of good books around, and its been nice going back to look through a volume that I enjoyed before.

I read "True Crime: Michigan" by Tobin T. Buhk several years ago.  I thought it would be enjoyable to check  it out again for our recent Michigan road trip.

Michigan has had some strange crimes, and the oddest and scariest ones are documented here.  Buhk collects 10 of the most intriguing ones here.

Most were new to me.  The only one that I was familiar with was the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa.  Well, the author really gives a quick but thorough summary of that one.

Other crimes are very dark..... in fact, one involves young children.  There is a Joseph Smith link in another.  Another case involves meeting victims through personal ads.

The easy to read book is a little over 130 page and I found it interesting to read again.

 

"Lansing and the Civil War" by Matthew J. VanAcker

 While recently visiting Michigan, and touring their State Capitol building in Lansing, I found a signed copy of "Lansing in the Civil War" by Matthew J Van Acker and I knew I had to pick this one up!  The kind lady in the office asked me if I was able to meet the author (Matthew) who was giving tours!  I had not, but I probably passed him.  

Still, I was excited to find a book about the Civil War in this northern town.

Of course, Lansing itself did not see any action during the Civil War, but it was involved.  This volume talks a lot about locals who volunteered to fight for the Union.

Books about northern towns sending their sons to fight in the Civil War can be a bit dry at times, sometimes serving as a document of names and battles they were in.

"Lansing in the Civil War" does more than that, and I really enjoyed reading this one straight through.

The book kind of starts with a man telling about his brother being one of the first in town to sign up to fight, as others followed.

There are many great stories about the basic Billy Yank.  VanAcker talks about one who was at Ford's Theatre THAT night.  Another young Michigander is told he cannot serve because of a defect with his little finger.  To show his desire to fight, he asks that his finger be cut off.  

Another great story involves John Broad, who was declared dead, but "came back to life".

The author talks about a Lt. Whitman, whos remains would lay in state in the House of Representatives in the Old Lansing State Capitol- the only documented time this happened there.

There are other strange tells.  The "war comet" is mentioned.  There is also a dark mention of a portrait studio encouraging business with a line about the soldiers and how "Many of them we may never see again".

This is just a really nice book and I am glad I found it in Lansing, especially a signed copy.

John Ball Zoo Grand Rapids Michigan 2023

We stopped by the colorful John Ball Zoo in Grand Rapids Michigan.  They were doing their lantern exhibit and they had amazing huge animal themed lanterns all over!

Unfortunately, we did not get to visit during the night to see the lanterns lit up, but we thought the lantern art was spectacular to see during the day!  And we saw a lot of critters!

Grand Traverse Pie Company in Michigan

The Grand Traverse Pie Company is a great small chain mostly in Michigan (their web site notes one location in Terre Haute Indiana....  I see a road trip to Terre Haute in my future).  Anyway, this IS my favorite small chain that I wish had locations in Kentucky.

I would compare this to some of the soup and sandwich chains that are pretty big these days.... but GTPC is better. 

We have stopped at some of the locations in our travels up north, and I cant get enough of it.  Oh, and their "Michigan Sweet Cherry" coffee is some of the best coffee on the planet...   I talk about coffee a lot so you know that means something.  Seriously, it is special.

On our most recent trip to Michigan, we stopped at the Kalamazoo location for a late lunch one day.  I had the tomato soup (excellent) and a turkey Rueben (unbelievable).  My wife had a great salad that she was equally impressed with....  Yeah, they are known for pies, but their basic menu items are flawless too. 

Of course we had some pie and it was great.

The restaurant was clean and the young staff was friendly and helpful.  I honestly can't wait to get back to Michigan to eat here again.

 

"Outlaws of the Lakes: Bootlegging and Smuggling from Colonial Times to Prohibition" by Edward Butts

I always love to read up on an area before a trip and, at the recommendation of a friend, I picked up "Outlaws of the Lakes: Bootlegging and Smuggling from Colonial Times to Prohibition" by Edward Butts before our trip through Michigan.  I knew we would be spending a lot of time around Lake Michigan, so this book just felt right.

And it was.

The book is far from being a complete guide to bootlegging and smuggling, but it does tell a nice, easy to understand story about outlaws and smuggling in the vast area of the Great Lakes.

The book starts with Cadillac (the man, not the car) and how a bit of a liar sells himself as something very special.  The author directs the stories of  some of the early shysters in the area working his way up to the gangers of the late 1920s (the book ends with the St. Valentines Day Massacre).  Pirates, timber, the underground railroad and other events relating to the Great Lakes are covered on the way.

The book is over 250 pages, but it is written like a well flowing story, and it is easy to read in no time.  I appreciate how the author makes the characters and events understandable.

 

Uranus Fudge Factory Indiana 2023

The Uranus Fudge Factory in Anderson Indiana.....  the jokes pretty much write themselves.

Diana of the Dunes Dare Indiana Dunes National Park 2023

While on a recent roadtrip through Michigan, we slipped away from the Great Lakes State to visit the Indiana Dunes.  This is one of the closest National Parks to us that we had yet to visit.

And, they have incorporated a cool ghost story into a trail!  If you do the trail, they will give you a cool sticker!

You know I am up for that!

So, just a couple dozen miles outside of Chicago, we stopped by and completed the "Diana of the Dunes Dare"!

"Pioneer Playhouse: A Kentucky Treasure" by Robert A Powell

I found the great little volume, "Pioneer Playhouse: A Kentucky Treasure" by Robert A. Powell recently for a few bucks!  It was a great find!

I have talked a lot about my love of Pioneer Playhouse in Danville Kentucky many times.  The place has been around for well over half a century, and it is a real treat to get out and see a play there!

LEGENDS have started out at Pioneer Playhouse- Lee Majors, John Travolta, AND Jim Varney.

This book is a nice, quick to read volume about the theater, and how the Henson family has kept the scrappy tradition of founder Eben Henson going.

 

Bethel Ohio

Had a great time in the perfect little town of Bethel Ohio!

Grant's Tomb- New York City- Old Postcard

 This great old postcard of Grant's Tomb is unused and undated.

Georgetown Ohio May 2023

We enjoyed a nice visit to Georgetown Ohio!  Boyhood home of US Grant!

Grant Boyhood Home Georgetown Ohio

US Grant grew up in Georgetown Ohio.  The town has a lot of sites relating to POTUS 18.  We stopped by to check it out, and do do a tour of Grant's Boyhood Home.