Our Norwegian Jewel Cruise to Alaska September 2022

 So, this was a trip that was several years in the making.  After our previous cruise (our first one) we talked briefly about doing Alaska.  It sounded good, so ,we made plans to do it in 2020!

Well, as you know Covid happened.  So, our cruise was pushed back a year.  Then another year as there were still concerns about the disease.  The trip was pushed out another year.

Each time the good people at Norwegian Cruise Lines kept upgrading us when agreed to not cancel and hold out for another year.  Before ya knew it, we really had a nice, VIP trip planned.

And here is a brief video on our cruise.  I will post other videos about where we stopped, and other things we did.

We flew in to Anchorage and spent a night.  The next day we took the Alaska Railroad to Seward.  We spent a night there the we got on the Norwegian Jewel.  The Jewel took us to several more cities, and we finally ended up in Vancouver British Columbia.  We would spend a few days there, then fly home.

"The Klondike Fever: The Life and Death of the Last Great Gold Rush" by Pierre Berton

Planning for a trip through Alaska, I wanted to find a book on the Klondike Gold Rush.  I googled around, and found the 1955 book, "The Klondike Fever:  The Life and Death of the Last Great Gold Rush" by Pierre Berton.

"The Klondike Fever" weighs in at a nearly 450 pages, not counting notes and bibliography.  This is a nice, big full book.

I DID read a critical amateur online review of the book, by someone who bashed the book for not being PC enough.  There are a few words in the book that most of us would not use in conversation today.  1955 was a different time, AND, an author in 1955 covering events in the late 1800s gets a solid pass in my opinion.  The book is authentic and close to the timeline of the source.  I appreciate a book that is so real, and not edited so as not to offend the easily offended of today.

Anyway, even at over 400 pages, I read this book quick, as Berton describes the first few prospectors finding gold (and a lot of it) in a specific area.  Over a very short period of time, the landscape, the people and the economy associated with it are changed forever.  Towns develop, local economies are formed, and norms are established.  The author really gives a good description of the characters, the places and the events that happen.

Of course, all sorts of issues pop up.  Boats are used (and OVER used) in getting people there.  Paths and trails are established.  Fortunes are made not just on the gold, but on selling things to the prospectors that they forgot to bring, or didn't realize they may want once there (kittens anyone?).  AND, in an area plentiful with gold, the value of the dollar gets greatly distorted.

AND, as all good things come to an end.....  That happens with the gold rush too.

The book flows nicely too.  Pierre Berton tells a constant stream of short stories moving the events along.  Yes, he is talking about thousands of prospectors coming to an area, setting up, and then moving along- but the story is told weaving in and out of hundreds of brief, short stories about specific people at that time.  There are lots of fun facts peppered in to the big story.

"The Klondike Fever" was just a fun read for me and I really enjoyed it.

Gatlinburg Spur Tunnel repairs 2023

 Just a short video of the tunnel going between Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge.  Repairs are expected from January until April or so of 2023.

Deer Sighting Pigeon Forge Tennessee

 Here is a short video of a deer I saw inbetween Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg!

Burg Steakhouse in Gatlinburg Tennessee

 Have you been to Burg Steakhouse in Gatlinburg?  This is a great place to eat when you are in town.  They were very cool about us having our dogs with us too!  We also thought it was a great value!

"Tennessee Tales the Textbooks Don't Tell" by Jennie Ivey, W. Calvin Dickinson and Lisa W. Rand

 I found a nice signed copy of the book, "Tennessee Tales the Textbooks Don't Tell" recently at an antique shop and I am so glad that I found this one!

This is a great book with some simple to understand history about Tennessee.  It covers all of the legendary people and places, and even has a short interesting facts chapter at the end.  All 3 of the Presidents from the state are covered, as is divisions within the state during the Civil War, and of course, Elvis!

I enjoyed reading about Martin Luther King's becoming a martyr in Memphis.  The authors then give information on what happened to his assassin.

The book did come out several years ago, and, at the time of writing, Brushy Mountain Prison was still a working facility.  It is now (as I have mentioned on this blog several times) opened to tourists.

Anyway, I think a book like this for each state would be wonderful!

Pigeon Forge Tennessee Lights at Night in January

 And, just like with Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge Tennessee still had its Christmas lights and decorations up.  Here is our January 2023 video from our recent trip.

Gatlinburg Tennessee at night in January

 We were able to drive around Gatlinburg on a recent dark evening (January 2023).  We were very happy to see that they still had some ofthier Chritmas lights and decorations still up!

Mean Mug Coffeehouse Fort Oglethorpe GA 10 2022

 We were glad to get some Mean Mug Coffee in Oglethorpe Georgia before taking out Chickamauga Battlefield Tour!

"The Saltville Massacre" by Thomas D. Mays

I found this unique and somewhat obscure title while shopping at the Sweet Read in Woodstock Georgia.  I was glad I found this one, as there isn't a lot out there on this battle/event.

This is a great little volume that can be read in a setting or two.  It flows well and definitely gives the reader a description of the battle, its participants and events around the battle.

In a very brief nutshell, the Union launches an attack to capture Saltville, and to control the salt being mined in the area.  Among the participants is the 5th U.S. Colored Cavalry.  Of Course, the utilization of black troops was a major issue at that time.  No doubt, the white Union troops would have given them a hard time....  and so would their opponents in the CSA.

"The Saltville Massacre" gives information on the battle, and especially the events after the battle, including accounts of what happened to the black prisoners and wounded after the fight.

Thomas D. Mays writes a nice outline of the battle, and I like how there are pictures of the participants, along with nice bios on the players.  Confederate heavyweights John C. Breckenridge and Basil Duke make appearances, as does the the villainous Champ Ferguson.
 

Sweet Read Books and Coffee in Woodstock Georgia

 

The Sweet Rad in Woodstock Georgia is a coffee/bookstore, making it one of my favorite places on Earth.  VERY cool shop with cozy places to sit, and look through a potential book purchase as you sip coffee!

I had several good finds here too.  I cant wait to get back!

Woodstock Georgia October 2022

 

Woodstock Georgia really wasn't on our radar but we were glad to discover it on our recent trip to Georgia!  

"The Smoke at Dawn" by Jeff Shaara

When we recently decided to take a trip to Lookout Mountain and the Chattanooga area to visit the National Parks/Civil War Battlefields, I really wanted to get as much of an understanding as I could about the battles.  I started devouring all of the books I could!

I have read several of the Shaara books, but I was waiting to read my copy of "The Smoke at Dawn" before going to that part of Tennessee again.

So, I finally read the 500 page volume.  Its funny, because the Shaara books are huge, but they have such a great flow to them.  They read like a much shorter book because it is so easy to get into them.

Another thing about the Shaara books....This isn't a dry telling of the battle, that most of us have a hard time following.  Jeff Shaara (and his dad before him) really try to get into the heads of the characters.  I feel like they try hard to understand, and write about the logic inside of the minds of the legendary generals.

I think the author really paints a clear picture of how the main generals (Bragg, CSA, and Rosecrans, US) came to both fail at this battle.  George Thomas, Rosecrans replacement, really sticks out as a fascinating, and often overlooked (by history) character

I feel like I KNOW some of these guys better myself now too.  I would absolutely expect Braxton Bragg to not get a basic joke told by a common Johnny Reb.  I would also expect Jefferson Davis to defend Bragg to his mutinous army.

Sure, this is historic fiction, but I feel like I understand so much more about the players involved after reading one of Shaara's books.

"Roswell: History, Haunts and Legends" by Dianna Avena

I wanted to take a quick moment to mention a very interesting book I picked up recently while in the great state of Georgia- "Roswell: History, Haunts and Legends" by Dianna Avena.

I read a lot of regional books about ghosts and legends, and many of them are....  well, OK at best.  Ever so often though, I find one that really packs a punch, and this one sure does!

Roswell is a nice, easy to read volume with 17 chapters in it, each one about a different location in the town that is just a little above Atlanta.

By the way, I bought my copy while in Roswell, and Roswell is a wonderful little town (there are several towns in the northern Georgia area that I am really falling in love with).  I read a good bit of this one while in town, and it inspired me to change my travel plans....

I wanted to make sure I hit the Bulloch House and the Roswell White House- two buildings with serious presidential connections.

Speaking of presidential connections and history, this "ghost" book had a good balance of historic information and strange tales of the paranormal.  It didn't go too far out in left with dismissible stories about orbs or anything....  but there was still a good chunk of info about haunts.
 

Roswell Georgia October 2022

 Georgia has some spectacular little towns in it.  Just north of Atlanta are some of my all time favorite small towns.  Roswell is packed with history and charm!

Bulloch Hall Roswell Georgia October 2022

 

I REALLY enjoyed my visit to Bulloch Hall in Roswell Georgia.  The home is probably best known for its connections to the parents of Teddy Roosevelt, who would visit the home in later years.

You can now do self guided tours of the home, which has some great displays about the Civil War (The Roosevelts were involved) and slavery.

A home with a strong connection to Jimmy Carter is right next door too!

"Bushwhacking on a Grand Scale- The Battle of Chickamauga" by William Lee White

While we were at the wonderful Chickamauga Battlefield, we stopped by their museum/visitor center.  While making some purchases in the gift shop, I had a nice chat with the young lady running the place.  She loved the area, and let me know that she was even born at the hospital down the street, which is on battleground!  She recommended "Bushwhacking on a Grand Scale:  The Battle for Chickamauga, September 18-20, 1863" By William Lee White.

It is part of the Emerging Civil War Series, from Savas Beatie.  I have bought several books from this publisher, some direct, as they cover some more interesting topics...  and, when I have contacted them, they have even sold me some nice signed copies of their books!

"Bushwhacking on a Grand Scale", just like others in the Emerging Civil War Series, is technical and covers the details of the fighting, but it is not so technical that the average guy like you and me can't understand it.  This isn't a 600 page volume bogged down in details that only researchers might appreciate.  Its a good, thorough telling story of the battle that can be the perfect starting point for someone just getting interested in the topic.

I picked up White's book on this first trip, and I cant wait to get back to the Battlefield to use this one as a guide.  The book is broken up into 16 chapters, each about an event and area.  Directions are given to get to the next stop on a battlefield tour.

There are pictures of the key players, maps, and photos.  There are plenty of the odd details that I love about the Civil War that make the story more than just a CSA vs. USA event.  White talks about the events leading to John Bell Hood's leg amputation.  The Death of Lincoln brother in law (and faithful Confederate) Benjamin Hardin Helm is covered.  There are other stories about confusion caused by the color of some new Confederate Uniforms.  Another interesting tale involves President Davis giving a promotion based on dead horses.

The gift shop at Chickamauga has signed copies, but I asked the clerk if the author (a ranger at the park for many years) was around and he was!  I said hello to hmi and chatted briefly, but it is always a bonus when you get to meet the author of a great book.

 

The General at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw Georgia

The LEGENDARY "General" is on display at the Southern Museum of Civil War and Locomotive History in Kennesaw Georgia.  There is a LOT of Civil War history to experience in this region....  and this museum is an absolute must!

Georgia State Monument, Chickamauga Battlefield, Chattanooga, Tenn.

Georgia State Monument" at Chickamauga Park, near Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chickamauga Battlefield Georgia October 2022

In October of 2022, FINALLY made it to the Chickamauga Battlefield in Georgia!  This is a great area, and a very well preserved battlefield, just a short drive from Chattanooga Tennessee!

Wisconsin Monument "Riderless Horse" at Chickamauga Park, near Chattanooga, Tenn. Old Postcard

 Wisconsin Monument "Riderless Horse" at Chickamauga Park, near Chattanooga, Tenn.

This wonderful old postcard is unused and undated.

Santa Claus Indiana Christmas 2022

 And here is our pre Christmas visit to Santa Claus Indianato see their great Museum and the Candy Castle!

"From Heroes to Homicide" by Joe Ford

 I totally lucked out and found a copy of the late Joe Ford's book, "From Heroes to Homicide" at a used book store!

Honestly, this book is VERY DIY...  It could have been made on a home printer for the most part.  It clocks in at 74 pages and you could indeed call it skimpy.  Still, this is easily one of my favorite finds while scavenging the book shelves at used shops.

If you don't know, Joe Ford started up the Owensboro Museum.  I remember him coming to my school to tell ghost stories around Halloween (and incredible treat at the time).  If you cared about Owensboro, and legendary locals...  well, Joe Ford was THE GUY.

The museum was great too.  I haven't been to it in some time (it is now right downtown on 2nd Street) but when I was a kid, I always loved going to the old location.  It was mind blowing.  I loved the gift shop too.  I remember 10 cent plastic dinosaurs.  There was a wooden barrel full of various used stamps for a penny each.

And I recently found out that Joe put out a couple of these little self published books.  This one is a fun, and quick read, and he talks about how the museum evolved from a childhood mini-museum to what it is now.

Reprinting these books might be a good and fun idea....  Now I just need to find a copy of his other book, "Haunts to Hookers".

Richmond Kentucky Train November 2022

 AND, just because I like trains....  here is a train that I filmed briefly while in Richmond Kentucky.

"Santa's Daughter" by Patricia Yellig Koch with Jane Simon Ammeson

 While visiting the Santa Claus Museum in Santa Claus Indiana (its very close to Holiday World) I saw that they had a new biography by local legend Pat Koch!  "Santa's Daughter" kind of gives her memories of her family, and growing up in southern Indiana.  She does get into some of the history of the famous theme park that she and her family have been closely associated with too.  I actually enjoyed her stories of growing up as a kid as she was born in the 1930s.

I felt like Pat was very honest with her thoughts on life, business and even religion.  I really enjoyed just reading this one, as it has a nice flow.

I have mentioned before that several years ago, while strolling through Holiday World, my brother in law and I saw Pat CLEANING!  We said hello to her and she stopped and talked to us like we were old friends.  Talk about kind and humble!  I have always had a lot of respect for her.

They did NOT have any signed copies of the book at the museum, but the very kind lady working the front told me that Pat was there, helping the elves at the old post office!  They made sure that I had a nice signed copy of the book before I left the museum!