The Haunting of Stone Oak Manor

October 8, 2025, Leave a Comment on The Haunting of Stone Oak Manor

WARNING: This blog post contains a grizzly image of a very realistic prop of a dismembered body, that some readers may find disturbing. Tucked away in the hills of Oak Glen rests Stone Oak Manor. Designed by Reginald Inwood for Murle and Samuel Baumann, the manor was built in 1926 using stones found on the…

The wold Methodist church, made of wood with a small bell tower at the front.

Boom to Bust: A Visit to the Abandoned Mining Town of Bodie

September 17, 2025, Leave a Comment on Boom to Bust: A Visit to the Abandoned Mining Town of Bodie

The last two times we have traveled to Idaho we have tried to go to Bodie, one of California’s famous ghost towns turned state historic park. One year there was an earthquake and the park was closed to inspect for damage, and next time there was still too much snow to allow us to drive…

Myself, in a short black velvet dress, red belt, standing in front of a large "ELVIS" sign lit up with red lightbulbs.

Travel Back in Time to Elvis’ 1969 Las Vegas Show

August 13, 2025, Leave a Comment on Travel Back in Time to Elvis’ 1969 Las Vegas Show

Patrick and I recently returned from a week long road trip where we drove to Idaho to visit my mom for a few days. Our first stop was in Las Vegas, which coincided with a recreation of Elvis Presley’s first Las Vegas show at what was then known as The International Hotel, which is the…

Myself standing outside the small white cottage that once belonged to Edgar Allan Poe.

From Thomas Paine to Grand Central: Out and About in NYC

July 3, 2025, Leave a Comment on From Thomas Paine to Grand Central: Out and About in NYC

During our visit to New York City we spent a lot of time walking. We also made several short stops to places that just didn’t make the cut as full blog posts. So here is a round-up of some of the places we stopped at during our visit. Grand Central Terminal. 89 E. 42nd St.…

Overall view of the Liberty Island with hundreds of people outside.

American Reflections: A Visit to the Statue of Liberty

June 25, 2025, Leave a Comment on American Reflections: A Visit to the Statue of Liberty

In November 2001 I made my first trip to New York City. Just two and a half months after the attacks of September 11 (we had booked our trip back in July), it was a surreal experience, as my dad and I attended the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade and the Rockettes Christmas show all amid…

The Long Room, pale green walls with tall windows, and a long dark wood table with spindly chairs. Various plates, cups, and bottles scatter the top of the table.

Fraunces Tavern: The Historic Restaurant Where George Washington Dined

June 11, 2025, 2 Comments

Patrick and I recently spent a week in New York City, and the number one place friends recommended to us was Fraunces Tavern, located at the southern tip of Manhattan. It is here that George Washington, among many others instrumental to the American Revolution not only dined, but made critical decisions to our young nation. What…

A massive broken neon sign features a roller skate with wings and large red letters reading "SKATELAND"

Gems of Tennessee

May 29, 2025, 1 Comment

From Pigeon Forge to Memphis to Nashville, I fell in love with Tennessee and all it had to offer. Like with many road trips, we made several stops that just didn’t make the cut as a blog post on their own, but they were just too good not to share, so please enjoy this post…

100 Years of Country Music at the Grand Ole Opry

May 21, 2025, Leave a Comment on 100 Years of Country Music at the Grand Ole Opry

One hundred years ago a humble barn dance began broadcasting on the airwaves, and Nashville tuned in. It became so beloved it had to continually move venues to accommodate its every growing fanbase. The show? The Grand Ole Opry. Today the Opry has its very own home in a purpose built theatre with over 4,000…

Exterior view of the Ryman, a multi story brick building with white details and a peaked roof.

Behind the Curtain of the Ryman, the Mother Church of Country Music

May 19, 2025, 3 Comments

Running through Nashville is the Cumberland River, and in the 1880s it meant Nashville was a rough and tumble river town with saloons, gambling, and of course riverboats. Thomas Ryman was a man of the river, owning a successful riverboat company, and not exactly a man of God, but all that changed on May 10,…

Myself, wearing an Elvis tee holding a microphone in the studio.

Inside Sun Studio, the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll

May 9, 2025, Leave a Comment on Inside Sun Studio, the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll

Memphis is synomous with music, and often considered the birthplace of rock ‘n roll, specifically at Sun Studio, where we stopped in for a visit. The studio has a small store and cafe, and those taking the tour are ushered through a small museum, and later the studio itself. Music lover Sam Phillips opened Memphis…

Atomic Redhead

Historic Locations

The Haunting of Stone Oak Manor

Boom to Bust: A Visit to the Abandoned Mining Town of Bodie

Travel Back in Time to Elvis’ 1969 Las Vegas Show

From Thomas Paine to Grand Central: Out and About in NYC

American Reflections: A Visit to the Statue of Liberty

Fraunces Tavern: The Historic Restaurant Where George Washington Dined

Gems of Tennessee

100 Years of Country Music at the Grand Ole Opry

Behind the Curtain of the Ryman, the Mother Church of Country Music

Inside Sun Studio, the Birthplace of Rock ‘n Roll