Alanson Michigan 2024

And we took a quick drive through Alanson Michigan!

Sammies Sandwiches Union City TN

We visited Sammies Sandwiches in Union City Tennessee and we really liked what they are doing!  I cant wait to get back to town to enjoy a meal there again!

Daniel Boone Coffee Shop Slade Kentucky

I have mentioned it more than once, but I love this place.  Daniel Boone Coffee is a great place to relax while in the Red River Gorge area!

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.

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!