Tom and Ranger Lucas have been working on a signaling talk for the last several months. It started with Tom collecting telegraph materials and Lucas gathering signaling flags. When we arrived at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park for the summer, they put the talk together. The telegraph is very cool and Tom enjoys explaining how …
Sherrilyn and Pat Come to Visit
The first week in August, our good friends Sherrilyn and Pat came to visit us. Sherrilyn has been one of my best friends since we were in Junior High School and sang in the church choir together. Although we have lived far apart since those days, we have stayed in touch with the help of …
Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea
On our way back from Ohio last month, Tom and I stopped at the Kentucky Artisan Center in Berea. We had driven by many times but decided to stop and look around. The center is about 90 minutes from Cumberland Gap so it was a good place to stop and stretch our legs and visit …
Reindeer Grill in Mansfield, Ohio
When we were with Mom in July, we ate at the Reindeer Grill in downtown Mansfield. I am always looking for new places to try with Mom and she had never even heard of it. But it got really good ratings online and had an extensive menu, so we decided to try it. Reindeer Grill …
Historic Ripley, Ohio
Have you ever visited historic Ripley, Ohio? When Tom and I make our monthly trip from Cumberland Gap to Columbus and back, we avoid Cincinnati and take US 68 from Kentucky to Ohio. This takes us into Ripley, but we turn usually turn north before heading downtown. In June, with a desire to find the …
Panda House Chinese and Sushi
While we were in Ohio, Tom and I had supper with John and Jackie at Panda House Chinese and Sushi restaurant. Although the restaurant has been open since 2000, we had never eaten there before. I am always trying to find Chinese food as good as New Ming Home in Akron. I’m not sure if …
Going Away Party for Ranger Kymberlyn
We’ve had a bunch of going away parties in July. Volunteers Pat and Trish left just after the 4th of July. Then volunteer April left to return to Minnesota on July 20th. The rangers always spring for pizza when a volunteer leaves and Tom and I make sure we are in attendance. Just before the …
Exploring History with Mom
Tom and I made a quick trip back to Ohio to see Mom. Steve, Julia, and three of Mom’s grandsons have been doing a great job of visiting and helping her with things. We didn’t need to go, but we wanted to see her. While we were with her, we spent a day exploring history …
Calhouns and the Invisible Woman
When Tom and I went to downtown Knoxville, we ate at Calhouns on the River. Calhouns is a local restaurant, but it has nine locations in the Knoxville area. Calhouns on the River is located downtown on the Tennessee River. Calhouns started as a local barbeque joint in 1983. In the years since then, they …
Downtown Knoxville, Tennessee
On a recent day off, Tom and I headed to downtown Knoxville, Tennessee. Although we have been to Knoxville many times, it was usually to one of the big box stores on the edges of Knoxville. Several of the rangers had suggested good things to see downtown, so Tom and I decided to make it …