Logos Theatre at the Ark Encounter for "The Lion the Witch and the Wardr...

We have mentioned the Logos Theatre before...  we were able to enjoy their latest production at the Ark Encounter in Williamstown Kentucky recently.  They did CS Lewis' "The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe"!

The "Mothman Experience" at Sugarloaf Mountain Chillicothe Ohio 2025

Oh man, we had a GREAT time (as always) in Chillicothe Ohio, catching "The Mothman Experience."

"The Battle of Lookout Mountain" 1874 by James Walker

Here is a little video from a visit to one of my favorite paintings- the Battle of Lookout Mountain!

The Horse and His Boy at the Ark Encounter January 2024

One of the coolest theatrical experiences we have ever had happened recently at the Ark Encounter.  They hosted an unbelievable production of "The Horse and His Boy" based on the CS Lewis book.  I am hoping more productions like this come though the area.

Lobby, Union Terminal, Cincinnati Ohio- Old Postcard

 I found this beautiful old postcard of the murals inside of Union Terminal in Cincinnati recently.  It is unused and undated.

"It's Alive" Frankenstein in Chillicothe Ohio October 2023

We visited Sugarloaf Mountain Amphitheatre in Chillicothe Ohio a few months ago to see their annual production of "Tecumseh!".  We had a great time.

I saw that they were doing a version of Frankenstein for Halloween.....  we KNEW we had to check that out!  They had several other cool things going on that night too, like a haunted trail.

We had a lot of fun, and here is a short video from our visit!

Resurrect Art and Coffee House, Seward Alaska

A very short walk from the Alaska SeaLife Center in Seward Alaska was the perfect coffee place, Resurrect Art and Coffee.

It is in an old historic church (see historic marker photo). 

We stopped by both days we were in town and there was a good crowd each day.  Still, it had a very cozy vibe.  As we looked around for seating one day, a nice lady invited us to share a table with her.

The whole shop had a feel like that.  Friendly and welcoming.

You know I love a perfect, unique, independent coffee shop and Resurrect was all that.

We REALLY liked the town of Seward too.  If you live in Seward, I am straight up jealous.  Your town is beautiful AND you have this great coffee spot.

 

Berea Kentucky Crafts Festival 2022

 I made a brief video of the Crafts Festival in Berea Kentucky this year!

Pirates Voyage -Pigeon Forge Tennessee June 2022

So, we love Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, and have been many times....  but we have never been to one of the dinner shows.  I know, that might sound weird, but....  we just never got around to it.

Well, on this trip, we went to see Pirates Voyage!

WOW!  This is really something special.  I have no doubt that we will be doing more of the dinner shows in the near future.  I honestly can't wait to get back to see Pirates Voyage again!

Obviously, you cant film during the performance, but I did take a few pictures, and I taped a bit of the pre show.  This is just a short video I put up on it.

The show was unreal and the food was amazing (and PILED on the plates) too.

Horse Mania Henry Clay Estate Lexington Kentucky June 2022

 All of the painted horses for 2022's "Horse Mania" were on display at Ashland, the Henry Clay Estate here in Lexington.  A good crowd, including myself, showed up to check things out.  Here is a short video of my walk around looking at the horses!

Alamo Related Toy Soldiers

 And, just for the heck of it, while I am still on an Alamo kick........  Here are a couple of photos of Alamo collectibles I like a lot.....

The top photo shows some roughly 1/32nd scale soldiers I have painted.  Most are made by the great toy soldier companies Conte, TSSD, and Expeditionary Forces.  The top shelf is mostly well known Alamo defenders.  The bottom shelf is made up of Santa Anna's Army, with a couple of defenders misplaced beside them.

The lower photo shows a couple of action figures I remember from my childhood.

The Little Legends/Legends of the West line was out in the late 70s and early 80s.  They were the same scale as Star Wars, so you could have Davy Crockett shooting down aliens at your creature cantina playset.

I loved these small figures when I was little and I remember my mom buying them for me at some of the stores in Owensboro.

On the right is a very traditional looking Davy Crockett.  On the left is Santa Anna figure who really doesn't look that much like the famous Alamo general.

 

Briscoe Western Art Museum San Antonio Texas May 2021

I tip my hat to Davy Crockett's Cabin located inside of the Menger Hotel in San Antonio for telling us about the wonderful Briscoe Western Art Museum.

Starbucks in San Antonio Texas

Inside of the Shops at Rivercenter Mall, just steps away from the Alamo, we stopped by a cozy little Starbucks one evening.  

I know, its a Starbucks, but I admired all of the artsy references to the Alamo inside.

 

"Gettysburg's Coster Avenue: The Brickyard Fight and the Mural" by Mark H. Dunkelman

I recently rewatched my video of a battlefield tour we took in Gettysburg from several years ago.  As I watched it, I remembered how exciting and fascinating the town was.  

It is great, and there are so many places, people and art associated with the town and the battle.

Well, I started thinking about the wonderful, though very faded outdoor painting that we saw, the "Coster Avenue Mural".

This great piece of art was big and impressive.  It was right in the area of the battle.  It was also on wood, and exposed to the elements.

I googled around, wondering what had happened to it, and if there was ever any restoration done to it.

Luckily, I found that the mural's creator, Mark H. Dunkelman wrote a book about the battle and the mural!

AND, autographed copies are available through Gettysburg Publishing!  You know I ordered one!

This is a great book.....  It is a quick read, but it is a lot of fun.  AND, since it is by the artist.....  it is kind of a great souvenir for anyone who has seen the mural and marveled at it.

I really enjoyed reading about the inspiration and creation of the mural early on.  There have been restoration efforts.

After I was able to see it in its very faded state, it REALLY got a makeover.  I don't want to give anything away, but the painting is truly transformed into something new, while still being the mural.

 

Owensboro Kentucky Giant Hulk Hogan Head Sculpture by the Toyminator!

 

My pal Rick Phelps, "The Toyminator" at Owensboro's Consumers Mall has created an AMAZING giant bust of Hulk Hogan!  I talked to him recently about the creation, along with his other statues, and his business at the Consumers Mall.

Here and here are some other posts I have done about the Toyminator over the years!

Kentucky Gateway Museum Center KSB Miniatures Collection 12 2020

 Here is a little video I posted from our visit to the Kentucky Gateway Museum Center in Maysville.  This video covers their unreal KSB Miniatures Collection of dollhouses.  I mentioned them before HERE.

Obama Statue- Rapid City, South Dakota

Just a few weeks before our visit, Rapid City unveiled their President Obama Statue.  This is kind of a big deal, as there aren't a lot of opportunities for the town to add to their COMPLETE collection of life sized US President statues.

This statue shows President Obama holding daughter Sasha's hand.

Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead Kentucky

Have you been to the Kentucky Folk Art Center in Morehead?  I went for the first time myself the other day!

I remember seeing a Kentucky Life that mentioned the somewhat obscure museum.  We checked it out recently.

I guess my expectations were low.  I mean, folk art is art by untrained artists.

We were absolutely blown away by the art though.  There were some truly inspired pieces.

Plus, there were cards beside the work with information about the artists.  That obviously adds to the story of the art.

There were two floors packed full of art.  Admission is the super low price of FREE too!

I really enjoyed some work by an artist who is color blind.  Some works were really slick- I would have assumed that the artists were well trained.

In the gift shop you could buy some art pieces from some of the featured artists.  I also saw stuffed animals based on some of the works.  There were nice books showing the art too.  I was glad to pick up a few postcards showing the folk art.

Fading paintings in Owensboro

There are a few wall murals in Owensboro.  I remember when these went up, and they were much more vibrant at one time.

Elks Theatre- Rapid City, South Dakota

Directly across the street from the Hotel Alex Johnson is the Elks Theatre.  Its a very nice place to catch a movie!

The place was clean and nice, and the young man running the place the day we went by was very pleasant and helpful.

There were some cool displays inside too.

As a side note we saw the film, "The Art of Racing in the Rain" which...  does not get my recommendation.

That's OK though, even if you are seeing a movie you don't like in a theater like this, you will enjoy the experience!