The Inn at Ole Miss University of Mississippi 2023

We had a great stay at the Inn at Ole Miss!

Shuttle Ride in Oxford Mississippi July 2023

We had an interesting shuttle ride from our hotel to town in Oxford Mississippi!

Rowan Oak William Faulkner's Home Oxford MS 2023

We were able to visit William Faulkner's house, Rowan Oak, in Oxford Mississippi!

Ole Miss/University of Mississippi Campus 2023

We had a great few days hanging out on the campus of Ole Miss!

"Great Smokies Myths and Legends" by Michael R. Bradley

I got a great book as a gift recently, "Great Smokies Myths and Legends" by Michael R. Bradley.  This was a great gift.

The book is separated into 14 chapters, and each one gives some info about the area/national park, and how it became so legendary.

First off, this book is well written.  It has a very nice flow to it and you can read it effortlessly.  I planned to read a chapter a night, but it was just too good, and I ended up knocking it out in a few settings.

Still, it is jam packed with information, and it helped me to develop a brand new appreciation for one of my favorite areas.  

I was excited to pick this one up, as the author links the GSMs to Abe Lincoln (its an odd link, but it is there), Sam Houston, and I wanted to read up on the Road to Nowhere.

Bradley covers so much ground...  even concerning the areas of the Smokies I thought I knew about, he brought some new stuff to my attention.  He introduced me to some new things to think about and see next time I am in Cherokee.  The author also did a great job of covering some of the legendary locals that helped introduce the rest of the world to the GSMs.  

I didnt plan on taking notes while reading this one...  I planned to enjoy it as a fun, simple read, but I found myself having to scribble down some bits of info.

This is simply a great book about a great area, and anyone just getting into learning about this neck of the woods should enjoy it.  Someone who has been there many times and knows a lot about it will learn more.  This one gets my highest possible recommendation.

Tupelo National Battlefield in Mississippi 2023

Here is a brief look at the Tupelo National Battlefield in Tupelo Mississippi!

Loveless Cafe Nashville Tennessee 2023

Here is a quick look at the Loveless Cafe...  We stopped here right before getting on to the Natchez Trace!

Natchez Trace Parkway in Tennessee 2023

And here is a little look at the Natchez Trace Parkway....  We covered a chunk of it in Tennessee!

Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center Tupelo Mississippi 2023

Here is a quick look inside of the Natchez Trace Parkway Visitor Center in Tupelo Mississippi!

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.

Mammoth Onyx Cave and Hidden River Cave in Kentucky Brochure 1930s

I picked up some old cave brochures recently.....  I am not sure exactly when this was printed, but most of the other items in the lot I found came from the mid 30s!  That seems about right for this one too.

I love this sort of thing, and I was thrilled to find promotional material on Hidden River Cave and Mammoth Onyx Cave dating back nine decades!

 

Spencer becomes a Junior Ranger at Mammoth Cave 2024

My young friend Spencer got his Junior Ranger Badge at Mammoth Cave!

"Down In The Darkness: The Shadowy History of America's Haunted Mines, Tunnels and Caverns" by Troy Taylor

Troy Taylor has written a ton of books....  and I have read several.  He is known for specializing in ghost/haunting type volumes and that is a genre I read.  One (of the many) things I appreciate about his books is that you are getting a lot for your money.  His books are thorough.

"Down in the Darkness" is a packed 200 pages.  No double spacing to make the book appear bigger or anything.  You are getting a lot of reading in that 200 pages.

You're getting a lot of information too.  This book is divided into 4 chapters, covering mines, caves, mysterious sites, and tunnels.  I would generically call this a fun book on various mines and caves.

Troy covers some of my favorites like Mammoth Cave and the legend of Floyd Collins.  He brings up the Bell Witch Cave (he has written a fairly complete volume on that legendary cave too, by the way).  Being from Illinois himself, he obviously includes Cave-In-Rock, in the southern part of the state, and he brings attention to that site's connection's to the Natchez Trace and the mysterious Crenshaw House.

I took notes while reading this one, as Taylor brought up some new caves/mines that I might try to check out on a future road trip, and he gave some nuggets of information that I will have to research more later!

I also enjoyed reading about Troy's personal adventures through some mysterious places in St. Louis and Utah.

This was just a fun book to read, and not the kind of book you would skim through.  If you like reading about caves, ghosts or mysterious places, this is just a really enjoyable volume.
 

Walloon Lake Michigan

Here is a quick look at Walloon Lake Michigan!

Mears Michigan 2023

Heres a quick look at Mears Michigan!

Petoskey Brewing Company Michigan 2023

We loved having a meal at Petoskey Brewing Company while driving through Michigan!

Petoskey Michigan

Check out Petoskey Michigan!  One of my favorite towns anywhere!

French Lick Scenic Railroad Train (stationary) Indiana Dec 2023

 

I put up a short video of us driving by the Train in French Lick Indiana.

French Lick Springs Hotel Indiana Dec 2023

Of course, while we were in the French Lick/West Baden Springs area, we stopped at the French Lick Springs Hotel!

I have mentioned it many times before.....  but this is a wonderful and historic hotel, and it is walking distance from the also legendary West Baden Springs Hotel!

West Baden Springs Hotel Indiana Dec 2023

I have mentioned it here many times before- West Baden Springs Hotel is one of my favorite places on the planet.  Here is a quick video from my most recent visit!

French Lick and West Baden Springs Indiana December 2023

I have gone on and on about my love for French Lick Indiana, and the surrounding area.  Here is a video from my most recent visit.  More to come.

Ludington Michigan 2023

here is a quick visit to Ludington Michigan in 2023!

House of Flavors Ludington Michigan 2023

House of Flavors in Ludington Michigan.  Great food, great value, great atmosphere.  This IS easily one of my favorite places to eat at anywhere.  'nuf said.

Crosley Field Cincinnati Ohio postcard

 I found this great old postcard recently, showing old Crosley Field in Cincinnati Ohio.  It is unused and undated.  It is a bit more vibrant than the other similar postcard I just posted.

Crosley Field, Cincinnati Ohio

This postcard went through the mail in 1944 from Newport Kentucky to Huntington, West Virginia.  the sender is a soldier at Fort Thomas, waiting to get his uniform and shots.