Adams, Tennessee and the Bell Witch Part 2

I am still excited about my recent road trip to Adams, TN. In my last post on the town, I included some photos from about a year ago.

This year, I again stopped at the old school house, which is now an antique mall.

The place seems to be popular with locals and tourists.

If you like looking for old antiques, this is a very fun place (I found some great old postcards there myself).

Also, it is an old school building. All school buildings have a cafeteria, and in Adams, they still put the old cafeteria to good use. VERY GOOD USE.

If you are driving through this part of the country, even if you could care less about the folklore, stop by the old school and have lunch. I have had some GREAT fish, greens, and brisket here. I took a picture of the plate I was served last time there. I could not finish it all. They have nice, cozy country food that you will love.

Also, the old school has Tim Henson! Tim has been at the School House each time I have been there. The guy knows just about everything concerning local history. He has written a book on the Bell family AND he contributed to a documentary on the Bell Witch.

Tim is a gold mine of information, and an asset to local tourism.

Oh, the School House has a small but back 1 room museum about the town's history. Behind and to the side of the School House, there are several buildings and other items involved in the history of the area.

I should also mention the cemetery and monument down the road from the School House. LOTS of Bell family history to see here!

Roller Derby in Lexington

rocknrollergirls.com

I did not know until recently that Lexington (and several other areas) were doing roller derby again!

The Roller Girls of Central Kentucky have their matches at the Convention Center (part of the Rupp Arena complex).

I had a great time. This is a really fun event. The atmosphere was party like and family friendly at the same time. I saw a lot of kids, and a lot of older folks. All were friendly (the guy setting next to me explained the rules as he saw the confused look on my face).

Oh, there was a fun band playing, and hoola-hoopers (not sure if that is the right term) there to entertain too!

I still don't understand all of the rules, but I get how it works.

I have to admit that I expected more violence. I think most of us have watched old clips and think of roller derby as very aggressive. I thought there would be some elbows, clotheslines, maybe a few punches.

Those things did not happen. In fact, I was a bit impressed with the sportsmanship. One participant fell and it looked like she hit her head. All action stopped as professionals came to check on her. She was OK, and play continued. Otherwise, the sport seemed fairly scientific.

Check out their web site and go to a game! Tickets were around $10, and they had a large enthusiastic crowd. Merch was unique, cool, and affordable (I bought a nice t-shirt with the team logo for $15- the logo is awesome!).

I know the area is familiar with various sports teams coming... and going. I do hope that the Lexington area gives this team the support it deserves so that they will stick around!

Postcard: Between Evansville, Indiana and Owensboror-Henderson, Kentucky

I love this postcard showing the Ohio, between two of my favorite towns! I have spent a lot of time in this area....

Adams, Tennessee and the Bell Witch Part 1

Autumn is right around the corner! I can't say it enough, but I love everything about the entire season coming up!

Sure, I love summer, but the season following it is the best. The leaves, the falling temperatures, apple festivals, and Halloween!

As I mentioned before, pretty much all of my posts for the next several months will have a light chill to them. Folklore, strange tales, true crime books, apples, and the colors brown and orange will factor in to my upcoming entries.

And, just for the heck of it, here are a few photos I took in Adams Tennessee (the home of the Bell Witch!) last year. I actually went there again recently, and will get more photos up soon, but for now, here you go!

Let me say that Adams is an EXTREMELY small town not too far from Hopkinsville Kentucky. The town has a few businesses, and at least a couple operate because of their connection to the store of the famous ghost.

The town is easily worth a day trip, and you can entertain yourself for a whole day here between the great antique store and the Bell Witch Cave.

Postcard: Saltpetre Vats in Mammoth Cave

"During the War of 1812, saltpetre was mined in Mammoth Cave and converted into gunpowder. It was also at this point that Edwin Booth recited to a group of Cave visitors in 1872."

I really love the look of this postcard.

Knoxville Mall

The mall in Knoxville is a great one for walking around and shopping! I love their art and decor! The fist are the coolest!

You can probably tell from my posts that the Knoxville area is really growing on me!

Random Thoughts On Friday

Just a few notes.....

After trying to separate this blog, I have put it back together. I thought a blog about general travels around America, and another one about travels in Kentucky would be the way to go.

I was wrong. It just kind of made the whole thing more complicated. I DID like the names of the two split blogs, using lines from my favorite songs, but Kentucky Travels is really to the point. So, the blog is once again "Kentucky Travels".

I have imported all of the entries from the separated blog back to this site, so they are now all here.

Postcard: Zachary Taylor's Home, Louisville, Ky.

McKay Used Book Store- Knoxville

Recently, a friend tipped me off to McKay's used books in Tennessee! This place is great!

I can look through used books all day long. I really love finding a cool old out of print sci-fi novel, or a book about travel.

This place had everything! I found an obscure baseball book signed by the author for $4, a couple of books on regional folklore, and others. The store had a free books bin right outside the entrance door too.

mckaybooks.com

Randon Thoughts on Friday

Man, things are busy here!

I do have some entries to get up soon. Lots of photos on the camera, and not enough time to load them on to my slow computer.... But it will be done!

I think I am going to rejoin my two travel blogs again. All of my faithful readers (thanks mom!) know that a few months ago, I split this blog in two. One would cover my home state and my favorite state- Kentucky! The other would cover the rest of the country. Well, I think I will just go back to the original format of a Kentuckian travelling around the state.... and everywhere else.

The minor league baseball season will be winding down in the next month. That means I will be celebrating Halloween! The season will have a huge influence on my entries coming up in the next few months. My personal Halloween season goes from early August through the end of November.

You know I love the obscure. I love rare old postcards, pictures of odd tourist stops, and reading forgotten books. Well, there is something pretty mainstream that I am excited about. I am VERY excited about a NEW Planet of the Apes movie coming out. The previews give me goose bumps!

Wienermobile

We took this photo of the Wienermobile in the Florence area.

LUCKILY, I have crossed paths with the Wienermobile more than once. In fact, I have watched them go by on the road a time or two. Man, are they cool!

Check out my entry on my other blog entry about the Henry Ford Museum in Detroit. I have a photo of one there.

This photo was taken while my car, and the Wienermobile were both in motion, so it is not perfect.

Downtown Knoxville Farmer's Market

Knoxville has a GREAT farmers market set up downtown! I am JUST really getting to be familiar with this area, and man is it growing on me! They have some very nice indy shops and restaurants in the area.

here are some photos!

Random Thoughts On Friday

What a great time for a road trip! The weather has been nice, and there is a lot going on!

I did want to mention briefly that the last space shuttle mission EVER has just launched! STS-135 will be the last one.

I do hope that the country gets back on track with space exploration. There is a ton to gain from it. Also, we will no longer be a major player in space travel! Heck, it looks like we really won't be much of a player at all.

I hope everyone takes a moment to remember the glory days of Apollo, and the excitement of watching the shuttles go up. More importantly, I hope that Americans everywhere think about the possibilities. I am still hoping another moon landing,an asteroid landing, or a man on Mars happens in my lifetime.

Hillbilly Hot Dogs

Yes, I know I covered Hillbilly Hot Dogs before, but the place is just that cool.

Seriously, I can't say enough that this is one of the few places out there getting a ton of hype that deserves it. In fact, this place alone justifies a road trip to the Huntington West Virginia area.

If Hillbilly Hot Dogs served lesser quality food, I would suggest you go because of the cool decorations and set up.

If Hillbilly Hot Dogs had the same quality of food, but was in a bland location, i would tell you to go for the amazing dogs.

Luckily, the owners of Hillbilly Hot Dogs care about selling a good product in a unique atmosphere.

We once again set in the same bus and enjoyed our dogs and fries.

GO NOW! Eat the best hot dog ever! Make sure you tip at least a couple of dollars (because they deserve it!) AND so you can have the "Weenie Song" sang to you personally! Sign their wall! Eat on a bus!!!

'nuff said.

hillbillyhotdogs.com

Huntington WV.