Caribou Coffee Grand Rapids Michigan 2024

Im glad to see some Caribou Coffee shops popping back up again!

"Bigfoot South" by Chester Moore

 I bought a copy of "Bigfoot South:  Examining Cryptozoology's Greatest Mystery In the Southern United States (Expanded Edition)" directly from author Chester Moore at the recent Tennessee Cryptid and Wildman Con.  I was really happy to score this one.

Moore's book is a nice, easy read about mostly bigfoot in the South.  Giving the volume cred is an intro by Lyle Blackburn.

Moore has many stories from witnesses that are interesting to read.  Something I really appreciated was the authors thoughtful contemplation on how a population of the creatures could exist with very little detection.  Chester Moore is very much an outdoorsman....  He knows animals and has worked with all sorts of critters around the world.  His thoughts, and explanations make sense.  AND he is not a "Bigfoot is supernatural" guy.

The book reminded me a bit of Jeff Meldrum's work, but Moore is much more accessible.  

Cumberland Caverns History Walking Tour 2024

Cumberland Caverns is a very famous cave that has been on my list for some time.  We FINALLY made it there in August 2024 for this tour!

The Cheese Lady Grand Rapids Michigan

Ummmm.  Do you like cheese.  Of course you do.  GO see the cheese lady to sample some of the best cheese!

"Bluegrass Bigfoot: Encounters with the Kentucky Wildman Vol. 1" by Charles E. Raymond

Recently I grabbed a nice warm beverage at Daniel Boone Coffee at the Gorge (I love that place).  I always check their merch area, because they have the best stuff.

I was super happy to find signed copies of Charles R. Raymond's "Bluegrass Bigfoot:  Encounters with the Kentucky Wildman."  Of course I picked it up.  It is a fun, quick read, but it has some interesting info for fans of the cryptid and sightings of it in Kentucky.

There were some interesting stories from areas I know well (Horse Cave, Daviess County, Mammoth Cave, etc.).  Other strange things come up too (Lizard Man and giant skeletons).  Unlike some books, these are mostly brief summaries of eye witness accounts the author has collected, and that he feels have some legitimacy.

The author is in the "Bigfoot is flesh and blood" camp, so there are no Keelish UFO stories.

The author isn't trying to poetically describe stuff in excessive detail.  You are getting the fun facts of the accounts efficiently, making this a fun, easy read for anyone interested in bigfoot.
 

Hopkinsville Kentucky Visitor Center 2024

When you visit Hopkinsville, make sure you stop by their visitor center.  They have a lot of info on the Hopkinsville Goblins, The Sleeping Prophet, etc.

Mac Woods Dune Ride Michigan 2024

We had a lot of fun enjoying a Mac Woods Dune Ride in Michigan!

Quills Coffee Shop Louisville Kentucky

We really love Quills Coffee, a small chain mostly out of Louisville!  Love this place!

"Discover Salem 2024: Your Guide to the Witch City" by Ron Martin

Ron Martin lives in Indiana, but he makes a pilgrimage to Salem Massachusetts yearly.  He loves the town, and has become it's #1 tourist.  He has produced a great guide and updates it yearly.  Here is my review of the book from a few years ago.

And, I haven't been to Salem in some time, but here is a little info on my last visit.

Salem is still a favorite trip, and even though I haven't been able to make it there in a while, I still enjoy reading about it, and keeping up with what's going on.  Some days, I even explore it in googlemaps, remembering some of those fun trips from years ago.

Thanks to Ron's book, I can read up on Salem, and plan a future trip...  even if it might not be any time real soon.

Ron's yearly trip to the town has been going on for over 2 decades.  He has watched the town's attractions, festivities, tours, and businesses as they have ballooned.  He almost jokes about the days when there were only half a dozen or so walking tours you could take.

The book is an easy, quick read (I enjoy reading this one straight through).  Ron covers the stuff you will want to know about- popular restaurants, tours, places to stay, gift shops, etc. etc.  A big part of the book is preparing for the massive crowds and lines if you plan on going in October (I bought an extra copy this year for my cousin who will be spending a honeymoon in Salem a couple of weeks before Halloween!).

Ron carefully updates the book each year, so he brings up some attractions that are new, or are no longer there at all.

If you are going to Salem, or, if you just love the town, you are going to want to get this book.  Its easy to find Ron Martin on the socials...  Order a signed copy directly from him!

Espresso Book Machine at Schuler Books Grand Rapids Michigan

Schuler Books in Grand Rapids Michigan is a great, independent bookstore, and they also have an Espresso Machine- they can help you self publish your own small batch book!

Higher Ground Coffee Union City Tennessee

One of my all time favorite coffee shops anywhere is Higher Ground Coffee in Union City Tennessee!

Kentucky Reptile Zoo Tortoise Show 2024

We enjoyed learning about the critters at the Kentucky Reptile Zoo!

Snakes! at Kentucky Reptile Zoo Slade 2024

Make sure you stop by the Kentucky Reptile Zoo when you visit the Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge area!

"In Shadows Canyon Red" by Bill Stark

I saw that the book, "In Shadows Canyon Red:  Our Haunted Cabin in the Red River Gorge" by Bill Stark was coming out....  I knew I wanted to read this one!

Author Bill Stark is all over the socials....  And has a web site where you can order the book directly from him.  I got my copy from him signed, with a bonus bookmark and sticker!  Plus, ,it always help the author out when you order directly from them.....  But, copies are available all over the Gorge area.

Anyway, Bill and his wife bought a cabin at the Gorge and were excited to enjoy some time there.  Odd things start happening quickly (not JUST at the Gorge, but in general).  Still, the cabin seems to be a bit of the focus of the activity.

Bill and other guests encounter mists, orbs, bigfoot and other odd creatures.  The Wendigo, UFOs, and other oddities appear too.  Bill mentions several well known locals who experience things with him too.

The author and his wife appear on a Discovery Channel show to discuss their strange cabin on a show called "Terror in the Woods".  I watched it the other night, and it is a very well done episode.

Also covered in the book are the many other strange topics like the many Kentucky Yeti sightings that are reported, and Daniel Boone's killing of a 10 foot creature.

"In Shadows Canyon Red" is a fantastic story that would almost feel like fiction, except the author is down to earth and believable.  

I will definitely take this one with me to read late at night on my next over night adventure to the Gorge!

 

Legend at Pope Lick Louisville Kentucky 2024

We recently walked by the Pope Lick Trestle, and we went to the new business, the Legend at Pope Lick, both relating to a scary legend!

Up North Coffee and Not So Shabby Gifts Harrison Michigan

Michigan is such a great state for coffee, we were thrilled to find "Up North Coffee" as we drove to the Mackinac Island area from Grand Rapids.

Dorena Hickman Ferry June 2024

Here is our complete ferry ride from Hickman Kentucky to Dorena Missouri!