Grand Victorian Inn and Train in Park City Kentucky 2024

It is always a treat staying at the Grand Victorian Inn in Park City....  especially if you love trains!

Hops and Berry Taproom Loveland Ohio 2024

And we stopped by Hops and Berry Taproom in Loveland Ohio!

"Freaky Florida" by Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz

While at the Frogman Festival, I picked up ANOTHER great book from Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz.  "Freaky Florida" is another book, covering Florida from the two.

It really is a sibling book to their "Eerie Florida" volume, it covers new ground....  so you should pick up all of their books.

There is a lot going on with this one.....

A couple of cities have uncovered ruins in the state that kinda change everything.  Legends relating to older civilizations are covered.  

As a fan of history, I got a lot from this book too...  it is far from a book just covering folklore.  I found that there was a fort in Florida that, during the Civil War, did not get taken by the CSA.  Another Civil War battle I did not know about is brought up too!  Geronimo's forced adventures in Florida are covered.  The authors write about the tragic deaths involving the Apollo 1 crew too.

Some stories link the establishment of parks to very strange stories and crimes.  One involves a hollow earth cult, and another involves a serial killer.

Like I said about their other books, the stories are quick reads and to the point.  These would be great books to pick up before your next trip to Florida!

 

Narrow Path Brewing Company Loveland Ohio

Check out Narrow Path Brewing Company in Loveland Ohio!

"Eerie Appalachia" by Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz

I wanted to also mention "Eerie Appalachia" by Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz....  I have brought them up before...  and you definitely can't go wrong with their books!

This one covers Appalachia, and gets into the legends you would expect (Mothman, Jersey Devil, Skunk Ape, etc) and a lot of other strange stories are included.  There were a couple from my home state that I was totally unaware of (the Mushroom Mines, for example).  The chapters are thorough, but efficient, and actual research has gone into this book.  They don't go on and on about orbs, or feelings they got in an area.  They talk to locals.  In fact, this feels like a very complete book on cryptids and legends in Appalachia.  The book is around 140 pages, but there are a lot of stories, as the authors are efficient with their words.  There is no fluff and the frequent sketches by Schultz are well done and add to the stories.  You WILL easily recognize the Flatwoods monster, but it is done in Kari's unique style.

I got a signed copy at the recent Frogman Festival, and Kari included a nice little sketch of the Jersey Devil in mine!
 

Loveland Ohio and the Loveland Frogman March 2024

While we were in town for the Frogman Festival, we took some time to run around the town, and see what is there!  AND, we found out that Loveland is a great place to spend a day!  

"Unnatural Ohio: A History of Buckeye Cryptids, Legends & Other Mysteries" by M. Kristina Smith and Kevin Moore

I picked a nice signed copy of "Unnatural Ohio" up from the two authors at the recent Frogman Festival in Loveland.
 

I was excited about this one after reading about it before the festival.  I spent nearly a decade living in Cleveland, and I still enjoy the strange history books that keep coming out about the Buckeye state.  Plus, the authors work at the Rutherford B. Hayes Presidential Library and Museum in Fremont (it's between Toledo and Cleveland)...  so I was able to talk a little history with them in addition to chatting about the cryptids and the paranormal.

This is really my favorite type of book when it comes to legends, ghosts, cryptids, etc.  The authors tell the story that is well known.  They give details about sightings and reports.  They try to see how valid some of the claims are (some local legends about hauntings are pretty thoroughly debunked by them).  Some are somewhat debunked as the authors find a small bit of truth to a legend- the famous Gore Orphanage story is a good example.  But the authors did a lot of research and site their sources.

I thought Unnatural Ohio covered some of the classics (The Loveland Frogman is covered about as thoroughly as it can be, as are the Melon Heads, and Mothman)...  But I read about some other legends that were new to me.

I love it when you find out a strange fact relating to a story that you had never heard before too, and this volume has a lot of those.  The authors mention an old Bigfoot report from Gallipolis (a town mostly known for it's link to the Mothman).  I enjoyed reading about how the spot where the "Wow! signal" was discovered is now part of a golf course.  I also was interested to hear about a stranded boat with a link to a Madonna video.

This book packs a punch, and the chapters are short but thorough and very easy to read.  You will learn something new about the classic Ohio legends you already know, and you will also discover some new legends you had never heard of.

Mile 42 Coffee Loveland Ohio

Mile 42 Coffee in Loveland embraces the local Frogman legend!

ANOTHER CSX Train in Park City Kentucky 2 24 2024

I caught a few trains going by on this trip, so here is another video from in front of the Grand Victorian Inn in Park City Kentucky!

"Nine Miles To Mammoth Cave" by Colleen O'Connor Olson

 I picked up a copy of the late Mammoth Cave guide/author Colleen O'Connor Olson's "Nine Miles to Mammoth Cave".  I realized it was the only book of hers I did not have in my collection.  AND, it is a book that is pricey online (I assume thanks to bots).

This is a nice, small book that gives some quality info on the development (and end) of the railroad to Mammoth Cave.  It is under 70 pages, and is written in a way that it can be appreciated and understood by young readers, or mature readers wanting to know the basics about the railroads at Mammoth Cave.  It is a quick read, but you will get a lot out of it.

I thought it was interesting reading about how Glasgow Junction (now Park City) had a train that stopped by.  Tourists wanting to see Mammoth Cave could get off there, but they still had a ways to go (9 miles) to get to Mammoth Cave.  A bumpy stage coach was available to make the three hour trip...  but a group finally put in a train system to make the ride better- and it would make the 9 mile trip to the cave only an hour.  Of course the automobile would eventually put an end to all of that....  but the steps to get there were fascinating.

There are some other great nuggets of info scattered in the book, and the author brings up trivia connecting Bette Midler and even Mussolini to the area!

If you care about Mammoth Cave, you need to make sure you pick up all of the books that Colleen O'Connor Olson put out.

CSX Train in Park City KY 2 24 2024

Here is the first of a few train videos I made while staying at the Grand Victorian Inn in Park City Kentucky recently!

Bransford Family Cemetery Tour Mammoth Cave Kentucky February 2024

I really enjoy every visit to Mammoth Cave, and I am always discovering new things in and around the park.  Here is a video of our recent visit to the Bransford Family Cemetery....  a very short drive from the visitor center.

This family has been associated with the cave since it's very early mapping.  Mammoth Cave National Park offered free ranger guided tours to and of the cemetery for February.  I was thrilled to take advantage of the offer!

"The Vice President's Black Wife: The Untold Life of Julia Chinn" by Amrita Chakrabarti Myers

"The Vice President's Black Wife" is one of the more interesting books I have found in some time relating to presidential (or vice presidential) history.  This one starts out with a bang and keeps going.  Author Amrita Chakrabarti Myers goes down a rabbit hole that gets more interesting with each chapter...  and at the end, more rabbit holes are revealed.

Kentucky has only had a few sons that have gone on to be VP (Richard Johnson, Alben Barkley, and John Breckenridge).  Well, Richard Johnson was (and still is) very controversial.

During a time when interracial relationships were very much frowned upon in society (think 1830s and the next few decades) this politician had a black wife....  who was also owned by him as a slave.  Let that sink in for a while.

At first one might view Johnson as a progressive individual, way ahead of his time... but proceed with cation.  The author of this book uncovers some letters and possible evidence that several of his young female slaves were partners/wives at various times, and he had children with them.  Some close to the situation reported that one wife (and children she had with Johnson) were sold by him.

I know, I know, you probably have many questions right now.  Amrita goes after the answers in this one.  Had he REALLY married his slaves?  What happened to the descendants?  How had a Kentuckian, living openly with a Black wife (and their daughters) advanced to the office of VP?

The author covers this area, while also (and mainly) trying to investigate who Julia Chinn was and why she is important.  Why is it that the wife of a United State Vice President is in an unknown burial spot?

Get cozy for this one, and read slow.  There is a lot going on in this volume.
 

Frogman Festival Loveland Ohio March 2nd 2024

Check out my video....  man did we have fun at the 2nd annual Frogman Festival in Loveland Ohio!

There were lots of authors, artists, costumes, etc.....  I really like this town, and this event!

Upland Brewing Company December 2023

Check out Upland Brewing Company in Indianapolis!

"Erie Florida: Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys" by Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz

I wanted to quickly mention the book, "Eerie Florida:  Chilling Tales from the Panhandle to the Keys" by Mark Muncy and Kari Schultz.....  This is a GREAT book with a lot of heart.

I have read a ton of strange/weird/ghost type books, and some are slopped together with little effort.  That is not the case with this nice volume.  These guys care about their state and its history.  They are efficient with their words too, giving you a lot of stories and information for your money.  There are over 20 chapters each covering an interesting legend in Florida.

They cover some well known spots.......  I think we all know about Cassadaga and St. Augustine, and they cover those areas, while still adding some lesser known tales relating to those locations.

The authors cover a lot of ground, telling about what they know, recommending other books, and mentioning some of the better tours/ghost walks they have done.  I was impressed with one story, ending with Muncy and Schultz not being able to get a boat captain to take them to a specific location because of its legend.

I could go on and on about this one, but make this one a must read before your next visit to Florida!

I was lucky enough to get my copy signed by the authors at the recent Frogman Festival!
 

Hardinsburg Indiana 2023

Another great Southern Indiana town we drove through recently was Hardinsburg!

Concert Memories: Lynyrd Skynyrd, Evansville, Indiana 11/5/1993

Oh, it is hard to believe that this one was OVER 30 years ago....  I feel old.  I believe Brother Cane opened and then a later version of Bad Company played, and then finally Lynyrd Skynyrd came out.

This was another show at the now non existent Roberts Stadium.  We were standing on the floor and fairly close to the stage.  My pal Brent took extra sets of ear plugs with him, and I was glad.  My ears were about to bleed with the sound system that night.  I have seriously been to hundreds of concerts over the years, and this was one of the very few times I remember the levels being jacked up so high.

I really remember all 3 bands sounding great, and loud.  Brother Cane had a hit at that time, and I always enjoyed Bad Company.  I think we knew just about all of the Skynyrd songs.

We had a really good time.

Fredericksburg Indiana 2023

And we made a quick drive through Fredericksburg, Indiana!

Moonshine Still In Kentucky

This postcard says-

Back in the hills and in the deep woods, the mountaineers have their own distilleries making powerful moonshine called "Mountain Dew".

It is unused and undated.

Palmyra Indiana 2023

And a quick drive through Palmyra Indiana!

"Moving Shadows" by Mark Andrlik

My pal Mark Andrlik just put out his third book, "Moving Shadows."  They are all connected, but you don't have to read all of them to understand the others, for the most part.  I will say that this latest volume pretty much ties everything up, but the last couple of pages make it clear that the story is not over.

Mark is writing Christian fiction, but I think that even the not so religious would appreciate Mark's writing.  It is descriptive and has a good flow.  His books have a very nice pace and they are pleasantly weird.

Think about a big powerful corporation, with a leader who has no problem "taking out" former employees that aren't loyal.  One former employee goes out trying to bring his old boss, and company down.  There are twists, backstabbing, and assassinations.  

The characters relationships are complicated, and you are never sure if an old friend can still be trusted.

This book clocks in at a hefty nearly 350 pages, but it is a hard one to put down.  You will enjoy it!

Paoli Indiana December 2023

And here is a quick drive through part of Paoli Indiana!

New Salisbury Indiana 12 30 2023

While in Southern Indiana, we drove through New Salisbury!  There is a Morgan's Raid connection!

International Paranormal Museum and Research Center Somerset Kentucky 02...

Oh man, we finally made it to the International Paranormal Museum and Research Center in Somerset Kentucky!  AND, they are about to move to a new location down the street, so we were able to see it at its original location!

I was really impressed...  the place is fascinating, and they are doing a lot with their space....  Check out my video!