The I have been conducting experimental archaeology with bison hair and stinging nettles in my textile lab at Cumberland Gap National Historical Park. I didn’t realize I was doing experimental archaeology until our park superintendent, Lisa Baldwin, took an interest in my experiment. I just thought I was doing living history. The experiment started with …
From September 2023
Middlesboro, Kentucky: Crater City
Middlesboro, Kentucky, is the largest town within an hour of where Tom and I are living this summer. Fortunately, it has about 10,000 residents, so it has three grocery stores including a Walmart and a Kroger. Although I consider 10,000 people to be a good-sized small city, Middlesboro has more of a village or small-town …
Mr K’s Used Books and Music
When Tom and I went to Elizabethton and Sycamore Shoals, we stopped by Mr K’s Used Books and Music on our way home. Ranger Lucas had recommended it. We had never heard of it, but are always happy to go to a bookstore. Mr K’s Used Books and Music is a small chain, with four …
White Rocks and Sand Cave Trail
All summer Tom has wanted to hike up the White Rocks and Sand Cave trail. Cumberland Gap National Historical Park has over 85 miles of trails, including the 26-mile Ridge Trail which runs the length of the park. The only problem with most of these trails is their change in elevation. After all, we are …
Buc-ees: Gas Station on Steroids
We started hearing about Buc-ees a few years ago when we were on our way to Canaveral National Seashore in 2022. There were Buc-ees signs along the interstate for miles on either side of the new Buc-ees. We did not stop – we didn’t need gas – but I did look up what it was. …