Travel mascot, Vacation Mouse, waits outside the yellow front door of Montepelier, home of President James Madison

Montpelier

Virginia has been home to 8 American presidents.  I’ve been to George Washington’s estate (Mt. Vernon) a few times, visited Monticello a few years ago, stopped by Woodrow Wilson’s Presidential Library (and birthplace home) last summer, and finally checked James Madison’s home, Montpelier, off my list this summer.   Who was James Madison? James Madison…

Planning an epic road trip of your own or just like to follow the travels of others... either way you should check out Big Trip 14, another epic road trip covering 19 states, 33 days, and 8,000 miles.

Big Trip 14

Another summer, another Big Trip…  Here’s a brief rundown of where we went this year and a return of the daily videos. (Don’t worry – each video is less than a minute long!) Day 1 We didn’t even leave the state of Virginia on Day 1.  The beauty of a shorter distance to cover in…

Commemorating the valor, fidelity, and sacrifice of the thousands of Allied forces who stormed the beaches of Normandy, the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, Virginia is a perfect way to honor them all. Far from the hustle and bustle of Washington, DC, the monument has been built in a small community that is representative of many communities throughout the country that suffered losses in WWII.

National D-Day Memorial

“As our boat touched sand and the ramp went down I became a visitor to hell.” Private Charles Neighbor, 29th Division, Omaha Beach On June 6, 1944, thousands of Allied troops were tasked with the mission to jump, swim, run, and crawl ashore to the cliffs at Normandy and drive the Germans back.  The Germans…

Following Abraham Lincoln's footsteps and history across the US... President Abraham Lincoln started his life at Sinking Springs Farm in Kentucky then moved to Indiana and eventually Illinois before starting his political career. Follow in his footsteps across the US and visit the many places he has been. Walking in Lincoln's footsteps will bring history to life.

Following Lincoln

What is it about President Abe Lincoln that fascinates so many people?  Why are so many locations and events in his life commemorated in historic sites still today? Perhaps it is his rise from poverty in his younger years to a man of such great character who became President.  As an Illinois native I have…

Grandma Gatewood's Walk by Ben Montgomery

Grandma Gatewood – An Appalachian Trail Legend

I first heard about Grandma Gatewood several months ago on Sharon King’s blog, Midlife Moments. Emma Gatewood, better known as Grandma Gatewood, was the first woman to thru-hike the entire length of the Appalachian Trail (AT), alone, in one continuous journey. In 1955,  at the age of 67, she hiked 2,050 miles wearing canvas shoes and…

display box of clown figurines

Happy Hobos and Sad Tramps – A Visit to the Red Skelton Museum

Weary Willie and Freddie the Freeloader are just two of many famous happy hobo and sad tramp clowns.  Both Willie and Freddy are hobo clowns but with opposite personalities.  Weary Willie is a sad, down in the dumps tramp clown and Freddy is an optimistic, happy hobo clown. What’s the difference between a hobo and a…