Mackinac Island Carriage Ride 2024

May 2024 we took a nice carriage ride around Mackinac Island.  This was a great way to take in a lot of the sights around town.

Trail of Tears Commemorative Park and Heritage Center Hopkinsville

You have to check out the Trail of Tears site in Hopkinsville Kentucky!

"Haunts of Mackinac" by Todd Clements

I read both of Todd Clements' books on the "Haunts of Mackinac" before our trip to the legendary island.  They were both fun and quick reads.

The first volume really covers a lot of ground, and even includes fascinating facts on shipwrecks in the area, the Mackinac Bridge, the Grand Hotel, and just about everything else of note on and by the island.

I did not know that two cars have gone off of the Mackinac Bridge, or that a plane clipped it and ended up going down.

Ghost stories are told, legends of fairies, graveyards (some moved, for the most part), and old buildings are covered.
 

Ferry Ride to Mackinac Island May 2024

Here is a video of our ferry ride over to Mackinac Island!

Tennessee Wildman and Cryptid Convention August 2024

We had a great time at the Tennessee Wildman and Cryptid Con in McMinnville Tennessee!

"This Wretched Valley" by Jenny Kiefer

You can pick up your copy "This Wretched Valley" by Jenny Kiefer directly from her at her bookshop in Louisville, Butcher Cabin Books.  You're going to want to do that- it's a cool place to visit too if you are interested in horror literature.

I have to admit though, I would have picked this one up just because of the great cover.

I don't often read fiction, but this one has got a lot of attention, AND its by a Kentucky author AND it is set in some areas with which I am very familiar.  The Red River Gorge, Miguel's Pizza and some other places familiar to most of us make appearances.  I thought it was funny (it may have been the only thing in this book that gave me a chuckle) that the famous Miguel's Pizza t-shirt is brought up at one point (I own one, you probably do too).

"This Wretched Valley" reminded me a bit of a cool older horror movie.  There is some Blair Witch influence there (but not too much).  There are murders, and supernatural elements.  I guess it is just a good, weird scary story for those of us that enjoy such a thing.

It is pretty brutal too, there are some straight up dark scenes.

With just about any book I read, I could tell that there were some small doors left open for a possible sequel (though not many, there is a lot of death).  
 

Butcher Cabin Books Louisville

There is a GREAT bookstore in Louisville if you are interested in horror literature!

Mayfield Kentucky June 2024

Mayfield Kentucky has been through a LOT over the last few years...  We drove through recently and it looks like they are doing a lot better now!

Lamplighter B &B Ludington Michigan May 2024

The Lamplighter Bed and Breakfast in Ludington Michigan may be our new favorite B&B anywhere.