Franklin Tennessee January 2021

 One of our favorite getaway town ever is Franklin Tennessee!  It has total Tennessee charm, AND a TON of Civil War history!  They have really reclaimed their Civil War history too, and there are several houses and other sites to tour relating to that era.  Here is a video I made from a recent trip!

Columbia Tennessee January 2021

 Here is a short video I posted covering a short visit to the cute little town of Columbia Tennessee!  

Returning to Florence Kentucky

You know, there was a time that it seemed like I was going to Florence all of the time.  I like that area.  I was going up there a lot to catch the Frontier League Baseball team the Florence Freedom.  Nice ballpark.  Nice atmosphere.

I've been doing other stuff lately though, and just haven't gone up there much lately.  I am not as in to baseball as I used to be....  

But, my friend Rick talked me in to going up there for a day trip recently and it hit me that I really love this area, and I have missed it!

We stopped by the great little coffee shop Velocity Bean and Bike which is great!  We also went to World of Golf for several hours.  I am not really a golf person, but my buddy Rick is and he finally talked me in to playing some.  We had a great time at World of Gold....  more on both of those places later.....

We drove about 10 miles out of Florence, to Fort Wright, and we visited the James A. Ramage Civil War Museum.  This place was great.  AND, they do not charge admission!  They are a bit odd about their photography policy though- asking that we not take photos of specific pieces of the collection.....  so I can't post much about them.  Still, they were very nice, and very much into history.  They also have a nice little bookstore in the basement of the museum with some good deals.  I like what they are doing, and for the price of FREE, you definitely should check them out.

We stopped by Quaker Steak and Lube for lunch.  I can't pass up good wings.  Yeah, I know, its a chain and all, but I really like them.

AND, we made it to the legendary Florence Mall.  It is still alive and kicking, but, like every mall anywhere, it has seen better days.  There are still some interesting shops there, and I was glad to make it back there after some time.

 

Velocity Bean and Bike, Florence Kentucky

On a recent trip to the northern most point of our great state, I stumbled upon the great little coffee/bike shop, Velocity Bean and Bike!  Have you been to this place?

Check out the photos.  These guys are doing a great job.  We grabbed a couple of drinks at had a seat.  The place was clean and friendly.

AND, our drinks were really good too.  I had a bee/honey inspired drink that was just perfect.  It had honey AND a sting.  Some spice gave it a little heat, and it was really something special.  I would totally go back to this shop just for that drink. 

 

The Factory at Franklin Tennessee March 2021

 I put a video up on youtube covering the very cool and unique mall, the Factory, in Franklin Tennessee!

Mini Golf at World of Golf Florence KY April 2021

 AND, the same day we played golf at World of Golf in Florence, we played mini golf!  Here is a short video of us having fun on their mini golf course!

World of Golf Florence Kentucky April 2021

 I put this video on youtube recently.  My best pal Rick and I went to World of Golf in Florence Kentucky and played some golf!  This was my VERY first time playing!  Rick has been doing it for years and loves it.  In fact, I have to admit that I have made fun of him for doing it, but I ended up developing a real respect for it.

World of Golf is a cool place too, with a lot going on for it.  I am sure we will be back!

Rainforest Cafe Nashville 2021

 A few months back we stopped by the Rainforest Cafe in Nashville!  Here is a short youtube video I posted about it!

Mothman Festival Point Pleasant West Virginia 2014

 I have posted a LOT about Point Pleasant and the Mothman!  LOVE the legend, love the town....  Well, as I am going back through my older videos, I realized I had this from the 2014 Mothman Festival!  I put it on youtube.  Check it out!

Lexington Cemetery Kentucky September 2020

 Here is a video of our visit to the Lexington Cemetery, here in Kentucky!  

Flight 93 Memorial Shanksville Pennsylvania July 2017

 Here is a rough video I made back in 2017 of my visit to the Flight 93 Memorial in Shanskville Pennsylvania!

Futuro House Carlisle OH February 2021

 Here is a short video of us driving by the Futuro House in Carlisle Ohio!

Glasgow Kentucky March 2021

 Hey!  here is a short video of a drive through Glasgow Kentucky!

Tennessee Smokies Baseball June 2012

 I put up a video I found and edited from my collection....  going back almost a decade!  Here is just a brief video at a Tennessee Smokies event from 2012.  I filmed from the window of the hotel next door.

I used to really be into baseball, and if you care, you can check out my defunct blog I used to keep on baseball-

kentuckybaseball.blogspot.com

"The Jennie Wade Story" by Cindy L. Small

I have been on a bit of a Gettysburg kick lately.  I rewatched my video touring the battlefield from several years ago.  I went back and reread some of my Gettysburg books.  There is so much information on the battle! 

It hit me though, I had never read a book on the only civilian killed in the battle, Jennie Wade. 

Well, I found a nice older copy of Cindy L. Small's "The Jennie Wade Story".  The book is still in print and it is a great quick read about Jennie.  If you are planning a first visit to town, this would be a great intro to the legendary young lady, who was just baking bread for the soldiers.

The book gives the details known about Jennie, but there is a great appendix section in the back getting into some of the other odd details of Jennie and Gettysburg.  I was fascinated to read about other civilian injuries and deaths caused LATER relating to the battle.  There is a discussion about where the fatal bullet came from.

This was just a nice little book that was fun to read.

Rob Wingert Gettysburg Tour August 2015

 Back in 2015, I blogged about one of our visits to Gettysburg, and our GREAT Battlefield Tour with Licensed Battlefield Tour Guide Rob Wingert.  When you make it to Gettysburg, touring with an OFFICIAL (there are imitators) tour guide is the only way to go.  These guys are rock stars.

We had a great tour, CUSTOM PLANNED to my requests (they do that sort of thing) and Rob was just a lot of fun.  

I kept up with Rob briefly after our tour.  After a bit though, he stopped returning my emails.  That was OK though, I didn't take it personally.  I know people get busy.  I would learn later though that, sadly, Rob had passed away.

I am so glad that I had the opportunity to spend a few hours with him.  I would love to hear from anyone else who knew Rob.  Anyway, enjoy this battlefield video.

"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.

 

Mammoth Cave Domes and Dripstones Tour Aug 2014

 I have said it here a million times- I LOVE Mammoth Cave.  There is a link to the right-under "labels".  I have posted a LOT about this area....  and I am sure I will post a lot more.  Here is a video from 2014 that I made, and recently edited and put on youtube showing our time taking the "Domes and Dripstones Tour."  

This is, without a doubt, a very raw video.  I was trying to film the COMPLETE, entire tour, which I did.  I have edited it though (there are long moments of blurry dark video I removed), but I have tried to keep the feel of the complete tour here.  I left in all of the guides commentary, which, I feel, is great.

I hope that, if you aren't able to visit Mammoth Cave, this can give you an idea of what a tour is like.  I also hope that it might encourage you to visit, if you haven't yet.

Vancouver Island Feb 2014

 Back in 2014, we had a nice visit to the wonderful Vancouver Island in British Columbia Canada.  THIS, was one of the most amazing trips we have ever taken.  I recently posted a video I put together from the trip on youtube.  If you want to read my original posts about this trip from 2014, they are here, here, and here.

Trust me, this place is one of the most spectacular spots between the US and Canada.  

"Ashland: The Henry Clay Estate" by Eric Brooks

I read another great book in the "Images of America" series.  "Ashland:  The Henry Clay Estate" by Eric Brooks covers a whole lot of great info relating to Lexington's most legendary politician and his fabulous home.

These books are fun, visual volumes that are small, quick reads.  They have a lot of old photos though, and they are nice books to have around.

Author Eric Brooks has put together a lot of photos and documents relating to the home, its purchase, ownership, etc, etc.

I have visited the home several times, but there is a lot I didn't know about.  This book goes in to detail about later generations of the Clay family that owned the property, its connection to colleges and a museum, and ultimately the home becoming a museum itself in 1950.

The home is actually a rebuilt version of the home Henry lived in, but his son tried to keep things fairly consistent.  Oh, and the home has some interesting Civil War ties too!

Eric Brooks really put together a nice book about Ashland.

The Spot Coffee Shop in Owensboro has expanded!!!!

Hey, one of my all time favorite coffee shops closed for a bit.  Yeah, if you are in Owensboro, you know that the Spot went away for a few months.  Actually, they were still serving coffee out of a bus, BUT their great location by the old Lincoln mall closed its doors.

I was scared this might be permanent.  Right now is a rough time for the small, independent guy....

Luckily, the Spot was NOT closed for good....  they were just expanding!

I stopped by on my last trip through town.  They are in the same location, but they have expanded into the old store beside the original location....  and there is a much larger seating area there now!

AND......just like before, they have some interesting local art, books, patches, shirts, etc.

Make sure you stop by next time you are in Owensboro!  Skip the chain places and support a great little local family ran business with a great drink selection!

 

Chincoteague Ponies August 2015

 Back in 2015 we went to see the famous Chincoteague Island ponies!

Ruby Falls- Chattanoga Tennessee, July 2012

 I found this video I made from back in 2012 of Ruby Falls, in Chattanooga Tennessee!

Gatlinburg Tennessee Space Needle August 2019

 Here is a short video I made in August 2019 of us visiting the Space Needle in Gatlinburg Tennessee.  I also get a little video of it from our hotel at the Park Vista.

Barge and Bridge Downtown Owensboro December 2020

 JUST because there is not enough Owensboro material on youtube.....  Here is a very short video I put up of a barge going underneath the bridge in town.