General Morgan Inn Greeneville Tennessee

 Here is a brief look at the General Morgan Inn in Greeneville Tennessee!

Dickson Williams Mansion Greeneville Tennessee

 The Dickson Williams Mansion in Greeneville Tennessee with forever be associated with the death of Confederate General John Hunt Morgan.

Mitch Hedberg at the Comedy Clubs- Tempe Arizona 2004

We were lucky enough to be able to catch the LEGENDARY Mitch Hedberg at a couple of comedy clubs when he was still around.  I have to admit that I am very proud of this.  He was easily gone too soon....

Back in 2004 we took one of my all time favorite trips to Arizona.  More on that later, BUT, while we were there, we saw an add about Hedberg playing a local venue that evening!  We knew we had to check it out!

We actually drove right to the venue after hearing about the show.  Mitch was doing two shows that evening.  We got to the venue and asked about tickets.  We were told the first show was sold out, and that, if we wanted to get in on the second show, we should buy the tickets now as they were almost gone.  We bought them!

That was something about Mitch Hedberg...  I think everyone had caught him on a late night show or something.  He wasn't starring in a sitcom or anything.  He was there....  he was different, and he was hysterical.  I remember talking to a comedy club owner once who said that Hedberg was the only touring comic that came through that he did not have to give away tickets for.

Mitch was great that night.  If you are too young to remember him, look him up now.  He was just funny as heck.  His deadpan/shyguy/observation humor was brilliant.

We were able to catch him again in Cleveland shortly after that.  I don't remember the date, but people were calling for specific jokes from the audience.  it was another great show.

AND, I remember hearing on Howard Stern one morning that he had died.  It was close to (but not on) April Fools Day, and I thought that this surely must be a joke....  but it wasn't.

I still have a couple of his CDs that I play now and then.  For some reason, I kept this promo card from some shows he did in Cleveland.  We were getting some great talent up there!  Check out the small promo for a pre-Tosh.0 Daniel Tosh!

1950's Brown Hotel Matchbook cover- Louisville, KY

 I found a great matchbook cover from the Brown Hotel from the 1950s.

Cumberland Gap Tunnel and Town February 2022

 

Andrew Johnson's First Greeneville Tennessee Home March 2022

 We visited another great Andrew Johnson site in Greeneville Tennessee- here is his first home there!

Andrew Johnson Homestead Greeneville Tennessee March 2022

 We had a chance to visit the Andrew Johnson Homestead in Greeneville Tennessee again!  On this day, we were able to do a self guided tour and we also talked to a very informative ranger!  There is a copy house in town too, and we drove by it.

Andrew Johnson National Cemetery March 2022

 We stopped by to see the final resting place of President Andrew Johnson in Greeneville Tennessee again.

Andrew Johnson National Historic Site Greeneville TN March 2022

 Here is a brief look at the main visitor center for the Andrew Johnson National Historic Site in Greeneville Tennessee!

Catalyst Coffee Greeneville Tennessee 2022

 ANOTHER wonderful little coffee shop in Tennessee is Catalyst Coffee, in Greenville.  It is inside of the General Morgan Inn, and I love their food, and their sense of mission!

Gap Creek Coffee Cumberland Gap Tennessee March 2022

 The Cumberland Gap area is so pleasant...  and relaxing.  The town of Cumberland Gap Tennessee has about one of the most relaxed vibe coffee shops anywhere!  A beautiful little stream flows right next to it!

Greeneville Tennessee March 2022

 I think Greeneville might be the most underrated town in the whole state of Tennessee.  I really love this small area, as it has some cool businesses, and same great history!

Matchbook Cover- Kennedy General Hospital, Memphis, Tennessee

 I found a great WWII era matchbook cover from Kennedy General Hospital.  It is defunct, but, when it was in operation, it was in Memphis!

Hemlock Lodge Natural Bridge Kentucky 2022

 Here is a quick look at Hemlock Lodge at Natural Bridge State Park in Slade Kentucky!

Calhoun Kentucky February 2022

 I had a chance to revisit one of my favorite hangouts from way back- Calhoun Kentucky!

Mammoth Arch Cabin Red River Gorge Kentucky March 2022

 We found a great cabin recently at the Red River Gorge!  Check out Mammoth Arch Cabin!

Sky Bridge Station at Red River Gorge Kentucky March 2022

 In the Red River Gorge/Natural Bridge area of Kentucky, is Sky Bridge Station!  They have some great burgers!

Red River Gorge Books by Don F. Fig

While hanging out in the Red River Gorge area recently, I came across these two volumes of books by a Search and Rescuer named Don F. Fig. 

I had not heard of Mr. Fig before, but...  I know that I don't see many books out there about the Gorge.

As I flipped through the books, I realized that Don Fig, unfortunately, passed away not long ago, and these are reprints of books he published during his life.

AND, I am thrilled to have these books in my collection.  

Both books have a very independent vibe to them.  There are grammatical mistakes, and the author does repeat himself a little, but those imperfections add to these books feeling...  well....  human.  You feel like you are listening to an expert telling his stories about the Gorge.

"Tales of the Red River Gorge" is the thicker volume, and it is kind of a folkish history of the area.  Don collected stories and histories from the locals in an effort to record a lot of the history before it could be lost.

"So That Others Might Live" is pretty much focused on search and rescue in the Gorge, of which Don was a part of for decades.  

The price tag for each book is a bit steep at $25....  but go ahead and splurge on these.  Proceeds go to charities including search and rescue.  If, like me, you like having interesting and unique books about local history in your collection, you will want these.

I tip my cap to The Gorge Underground gift shop and Daniel Boone Coffee (both a mile or so away from Natural Bridge) for stocking these books.

1960s Kentucky State Park Matchbooks

 I picked these up on ebay for pocket change recently.  A nice selection of matchbooks from the 1960s, promoting several Kentucky State Parks!  I really like the art on these!

Raven Rock Slade KY

This undated postcard notes-

Raven Rock in scenic Red River Gorge Daniel Boone National Forest, Slade, Kentucky.

Daniel Boone Coffee Slade Kentucky January 2022

  Make sure you stop at Daniel Boone Coffee in Slade Kentucky next time you are in the Natural Bridge/Red River Gorge area!  This is a great coffee shop/gift shop, and they have good food too!  These guys keep the quality up too!  This is one of my favorite coffee shops in the state!

Red River Gorge Scenic Byway and Nada Tunnel Slade Kentucky December 2021

 Here is an edited video of Nada Tunnel and the Red River Gorge Scenic Byway!

Miguels Pizza, Slade Kentucky January 2022

 There are days that I am craving Miguel's Pizza near Natural Bridge!

Gorge Underground Slade Kentucky January 2022

 Oh man did we have a great time doing the Gorge Underground in the Red River Gorge area!  This video doesn't do it justice....  you need to check this out yourself!

Lexington Kentucky Brighton East Rail Trail November 2021

 Hey, check out the Brighton East Rail Trail in Lexington!