Author name: Jeff & Crystal

Perfume bottles decorate an exhibit at Arabia Steamboat Museum.

Preserving History at the Arabia Steamboat Museum

When we think of the Wild West, visions of chuckwagons, cattle drives, and lonely cowboys play out in our minds. The steam engine, invented in the early 1800s, impacted the path of history. As the country raced to build railroads across the wide expanses, the age of steamboats arrived. Living on the confluence of two

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Visitors to Colonial Williamsburg can enjoy carriage rides.

Colonial Williamsburg – The Early Days Of America

The city of Williamsburg, Virginia is a familiar name to many people. Did you know that this historic settlement began as Middle Plantation? Way back in 1632, English settlers discovered this area provided high ground between the York and James rivers. The settlers began at Jamestown, in 1607, but quickly spread across the peninsula. After

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You'll see plenty of sports memorabilia during a visit to Chappell's Restaurant.

Chappell’s Restaurant & Sports Museum – Eating Up History

What do you get when you combine delicious food and an astonishing collection of sports memorabilia? Located in North Kansas City, Missouri is Chappell’s Restaurant and Sports Museum. This sports fan Mecca opened in 1986 and has drawn visitors from far and wide. Notoriety has come from many directions, including lots of the top sports

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Pawhuska, Oklahoma is home to the Osage Nation.

Pawhuska, Oklahoma – A Visit To Osage Country

We’ve known for years that the treasures of the United States aren’t found on the interstates. It’s the small towns and cities that fall around and between these thoroughfares that hold the essence of life in America. Lying northeast of Tulsa, you’ll find Pawhuska, Oklahoma. This town gained fame as the home of the Pioneer

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The encampment reflects life of a soldier.

American Revolution Museum At Yorktown

The “David versus Goliath” story of the American Revolution influenced political ideas around the globe. How could a fledgling nation win its freedom from the greatest military force of its time? The victory did not come without sacrifices and was not unanimously supported by the colonists. Our visit to the Historical Triangle of Virginia included

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Frankfort, Kentucky has an interesting history.

Frankfort Kentucky – A Colorful Capital

Before we visited Frankfort, Kentucky, we thought it was just about thoroughbred horses, fried chicken, and bluegrass music. What we were to discover was a vibrant past filled with curious moments in history. Did you know that Kentucky was originally part of the Virginia colony? The largest of the original 13 colonies, Virginia ceded the

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Jamestown Settlement was the first permanent English Settlement in the Hew World.

Jamestown Settlement – Winds of Change

In late April, of 1607, three ships appeared on the horizon of what would become the Virginia coast. Onboard are 105 passengers who are determined to create the first permanent English settlement in America. Their five-month trip was just the beginning of the challenges these early settlers would face. We journeyed to Jamestown Settlement, along

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The Frontier Culture Museum tells the story of the various ethnic groups that settled Virginia.

Frontier Culture Museum – Where Cultures Blend

Traveling to Virginia gave us our first views of the Shenandoah Valley. As pioneers poured into the region, during the 1600s and 1700s, many passed through this area. With an agricultural-based economy, farming was key to almost every family. Our first Virginia stop landed us at the Frontier Culture Museum, in Staunton. We were eager

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The Capital City Museum is a god place to learn about Frankfort, Kentucky.

Capital City Museum – Frankfort’s Time Capsule

It’s not as easy to be a capital city.  Frankfort had to outbid neighboring cities to gain the title, in 1792. Twice the capitol building burned down, which allowed those other cities to attempt to usurp the seat of state government. Having a centralized location helped keep the capital in “Mainhattan” (Frankfort’s nickname). To learn

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Charleston, WV – Our First Visit To The Mountain State

North America is filled with special places just waiting to be explored. As we move farther into our blogging life, our journeys have opened our eyes to new landscapes. This trip allowed us our first views of West Virginia, “The Mountain State”. Located in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains, this capital city was once

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A two-piece chicken dinner brings subtle heat to the table.

Delivering Crunch – Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken

Growing up in the Midwest, we discovered the depth of flavors that can be found in this region’s dishes. I remember waiting impatiently as my grandmother fried up chicken for Saturday night dinner. The smell was intoxicating and I couldn’t wait to sink my teeth into the crispy coating. Fast forward a few decades and

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The West Virginia State Museum was our doorway to the past.

West Virginia State Museum – Our Doorway To The Past

A summer adventure led us down roads we had never wandered. Our first stop, on this eastern adventure, landed us in Charleston, West Virginia. Being our first foray into the Mountain State, we chose the capital city as our starting point. Situated just a few steps from the state capitol, the West Virginia State Museum

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National Cowgirl Museum – Leaving Their Mark On History

When you hear the word “Cowgirl”, what do you picture? For many generations this term was undefined. Women were excluded from this traditionally masculine field of work. Instead, females were defined as the “moral guardians of American culture”. As westward expansion increased, new opportunities opened up for women. The world would discover that women could

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The Texas State Railroad departs from Palestine, Texas.

Texas State Railroad – A Piney Woods Adventure

Ready for an adventure that’s 135 years in the making? Hop aboard the Texas State Railroad for a Piney Woods adventure. This four-hour excursion offers riders relaxing views of the rolling landscape. The historic railroad was built in 1883 to serve the mining industry. As this waned, the line was repurposed for tourism. These days

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Life in the Trenches – National World War 1 Museum

The National World War 1 Museum and Memorial is not a memorial to the war. This national treasure is a reminder of the human spirit and the never-ending fight for peace. Life in the trenches was filled with short periods of sheer terror followed by long spans of boredom. Stretching across the horizon, these muddy, rat-infested trenches

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Jack Stack Barbecue – A Family Tradition

Let’s time-travel back to 1957. The world was cast into the “Space Race” with the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial satellite. In America, Jailhouse Rock was climbing the charts, while Elvis purchased Graceland. Frisbees first hit the market and The Music Man opened on Broadway. (You can read our article about the composer

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