All Those Memories Gather ‘Round Her By Ria Nicholas Image courtesy the West Virginia Tourism Bureau West Virginia is, just as they say, almost heaven. A playground for the outdoor enthusiast, it offers hiking, biking, white-water rafting, ATV trails, and endless adventure. All this can be had against a backdrop of jaw-dropping scenery: Blue Ridge Mountains! And holed up in the simple accommodations of the little town of Matewan, no one today would guess at the decades of violent struggle that played out in these parts. Images courtesy West Virginia Tourism Bureau But, life is old there – old ..read more

Image courtesy Basecamp Terlingua And the Things You Can Do While You’re Awake By Ria Nicholas This post is brought to you by RiaNicholasDesigns.com – rustic modern furniture, featuring reclaimed wood and metal. When planning a romantic escape, Texas may not be the first state to come to mind. But, while Texas doesn’t have the reputation of Paris or Venice when it comes to l’amour, the state does lay claim to everything bigger and better – and that includes its diversity of love nests. Here is a brief introduction to 10 of the Lone Star State’s dreamiest accommodations: 1. A SPACE BUBBLE I ..read more

Hatfields and McCoys Dinner Feud (dinner theater) in Pigeon Forge, TN; image courtesy MyPigeonForge.com Historic Hostility In Pikeville Leads To Homespun Hilarity In Pigeon Forge By Ria Nicholas For most of us, the names Hatfield and McCoy call up caricatures of hatin’ hillbillies and backwoods bickering – feuding families who just couldn’t get along. In fact, they were real people, spurred on by real historical events, and we can take a peek at their shameful shenanigans in two fabulous locations. Pikeville, Kentucky The mountains of eastern Kentucky undulate among shrouds of mist. They a ..read more

Bourbon Street in the French Quarter of New Orleans; image courtesy Lars Plougmann “Laissez les bon temps rouler!” with Pirate Jean Lafitte By Ria Nicholas The city of New Orleans has seen a lot of history since its founding in 1718. But it is, perhaps, the nefarious pirate Jean Lafitte who has left the most indelible mark upon the Crescent City. Whether that mark be for better or worse, I will leave to your judgment. Here are 10 destinations he may have “touched” . . . . . . and the wild history behind it all, for those who crave a little more. 1. Lafitte’s Blacksmith Shop At the corner of Bo ..read more

Jim and I rented bicycles to get around the island, but you can also rent golf carts. Head Over Heals With Historical Lake Erie By Ria Nicholas View from the ferry; photo by Ria Nicholas. While one of the two ferry services allows you to bring your car, it isn’t recommended. South Bass Island is the southernmost member of a small archipelago in the shallow waters of Lake Erie’s western end. There the charming community of Put-In-Bay makes the perfect summer get-away: away from the city and the oppressive summer heat. Although the island is accessible by boat or small plane, we chose instead th ..read more

Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse; image courtesy Chandra Hari Please Keep the Nightlights On! By Ria Nicholas This post is brought to you by RiaNicholasDesigns – rustic modern furniture, featuring reclaimed wood and metal. Lighthouses have guided sailors away from danger and toward safe harbors since before Homer’s mythical monsters, Scylla and Charybdis, terrorized the seas of classical Greece. Today, however, it is the lighthouses themselves that are endangered. Made obsolete by modern GPS technology and radar beacons, many lighthouses have fallen into disuse and disrepair. Simultaneously, th ..read more

Saddle up for a guided trail ride through breath-taking scenery Board a vintage steam train from Durango to Silverton Rent a Jeep and head into the mountains – and so much more! Ride an Iron Horse Into a Storied Past! by Ria Nicholas The historic western mining town of Silverton, Colorado lies frozen in time in a high valley of the River of Lost Souls*. With only one paved road – a spur of the Million Dollar Highway** – and a year-round population hovering at just 600, Silverton’s economy, though largely based on outdoor adventure, still benefits from the regular arrival of vintage nar ..read more

The above image of River Street in Savannah, Georgia is reminiscent of Paris, France. Image courtesy Savannah.com Tour the World With an American History Road Trip! By Ria Nicholas As we go stir crazy due to COVID-19, we’re eager to pack our bags and get our travel on. But journeying abroad may still lie outside our comfort zone. Fortunately, there is plenty of “foreign” ambiance to explore right here in the U.S. See, taste, discover, and immerse yourself in the exotic sights, sounds, and cuisine of these fabulous American destinations! Below, you will find information on more than Two Dozen D ..read more

Image courtesy the Galveston Island Convention and Visitors Bureau Make That Historic AND Epic! By Ria Nicholas This post is brought to you by RiaNicholasDesigns.com – rustic modern tables, featuring reclaimed wood and metal. There’s something especially exhilarating about the Pleasure Pier at night. Thousands of colorful, twinkling lights elevate the experience into the realm of the surreal. A study in contrasts, the buzz and laughter of the crowd all but drown out the steady pulse of the darkly mysterious surf below. When the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier first replaced the ico ..read more

Jim Zura enjoying a nostalgic moment at the Museum’s radio studio. Please welcome guest writer, Jim Zura. He has spent 30-plus years in broadcasting, beginning as radio personality ‘Jimmy Z’ with M105 Classic Rock in Cleveland, Ohio. After moving to Houston, Texas in 1983, he worked on the air at KILT-FM radio, before his segue into video production. Zura has worked with countless celebrities and has been a location shooter / producer for most major television networks and many corporations. He is the owner and CEO at ZuraProductions.com. —Ria Nicholas From Morse Code to Social Media – In Just ..read more