Did you know that 90% of the silk market was housed in Belding, Michigan? “Belding Brothers and Company” silk mills had started operating in the late 1800’s and by 1920 the Belding business processed over one million pounds of raw silk each year. Honestly, I have lived just south of […]
History and Culture
107 posts
Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona holds well preserved mysteries of ancient life. Hopi ancestors, the Ancestral Puebloans, lived in cliff dwellings for more than 800 years. 600-1400 A.D. Can you even imagine living here? As we gazed at the dwellings, I had questions. How did they get enough water? How […]
Have you ever ridden in a train engine? Chuck (DaViking) and I were able to experience two authentic engine excursions. One was in the October evening followed by another ride after the sun set. Costumed characters and guests boarded the Stewartstown Railroad’s open car and caboose for a four mile […]
When Chuck (DaViking) mentioned that he’d secured tickets on ‘The North Pole Express’ steam train, I was giddy! This was the steam locomotive that had been used in “The Polar Express” children’s book and movie! As a nanny and throughout my early elementary teaching career, I have always gotten goosebumps […]
Did you know that you can rent a four person railbike? I had no idea that there were such activities! When Chuck and I arrived in Stewartstown, Pennsylvania for a train ride, we found railbikes lined up. Jim, a railroad volunteer, stood ready as David drove the ‘train’ of bikes […]
Did you know that there are abandoned turnpike tunnels in Pennsylvania? DaViking (my husband Chuck) has previously explored the Sideling Tunnel, but this was my first time climbing into the dark passage. Join us on our caper as we look behind the scenes of an abandoned railway which later became […]
Did you know that Surfmen carried out life-saving and recovery operations around the Great Lakes starting in 1870? These dedicated heroes risked their lives daily. DaViking and I stopped at two of the five Life-Saving Stations along this deadly Lake Superior shore: Crisp Point and Vermillion as well as Whitefish […]
Did you know that there are structures and spaces beneath the streets of Seattle? I hadn’t known this and was curious to learn more. Anita, my longtime friend, and I toured these mysterious underground places. Join us as we creep through the dark tunnels beneath the streets of Seattle. Eowyn, […]
Bernida, built in 1921 won the first Bayview Mackinac Race, then went missing for decades. She was found in a warehouse, restored and in 2012 won the Bayview Mackinac race again! Join us for her 100th birthday celebration!