Explore the journey — one trail, museum, meal, and memory at a time.
Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine
I began the morning at Twin Falls Resort State Park, then toured the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine with a retired mine inspector. He spoke about the work, the dangers, and even the rats that warned miners of bad air. From Beckley to Helen and Itmann, the Coal Heritage Trail traces stories of coal, community, and endurance—ending with quiet reflection in an abandoned company store.
Morehead, KY
Morehead, Kentucky, sits in the foothills of the Appalachians, a quiet university town surrounded by the Daniel Boone National Forest. I spent the day exploring the Morehead State University campus, the Rowan County Arts Center, and a small exhibit of local watercolors. On campus, I found a covered display protecting a rare petrified fern root—an unexpected link to the region’s ancient past.
Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill
I spent a full day exploring the Shaker Village at Pleasant Hill, Kentucky. The tour gave me a glimpse into Shaker life—their faith, craftsmanship, and belief in simplicity. I wandered the Meeting House, joined a Civil War program, and later hiked to Fulling Mill Falls. Even after sunset, the day’s calm stayed with me—peace, history, and honest design all in one place.
Frankfort, KY - Capitol City
A day in Kentucky’s small but fascinating capital—starting with espresso at Engine House Coffee in a restored 19th-century fire station, wandering from the Old Capitol to Rebecca Ruth Chocolates, and tracing the stories that tie Dolley Madison’s family, Frank Lloyd Wright, and the War of 1812 to the streets of Frankfort.
Louisville Slugger, Church Hill Downs, NULU
I spent the day exploring Louisville’s past and present—touring Churchill Downs and its exhibits on Secretariat, visiting the Louisville Slugger Museum to see how the iconic bats are made, and ending in the NULU district surrounded by food, coffee, and creativity. It was the perfect mix of Kentucky tradition and modern energy.
Bardstown, KY
I arrived in Bardstown late in the day after winding my way through Mammoth Cave and Lincoln’s birthplace. The town’s old stone buildings, bourbon-scented air, and deep musical roots made it an unexpected highlight of my Kentucky travels. From the Stephen Foster House to the Old Talbott Tavern, Bardstown feels like the kind of place where history and hospitality still live side by side.
Jefferson City-Missouri Capitol
From quiet mornings in Rocheport to the grandeur of Missouri’s Capitol, this visit to Jefferson City revealed a blend of history, art, and unexpected stories — from Benton’s mural to the mysterious extra star in the state seal.
Nebraska State Capitol & Sunken Gardens
A visit to Lincoln starts at the Nebraska State Capitol, with its mosaics, marble floors, and murals telling the story of the state. The tour highlights Nebraska’s unique unicameral legislature and even the governor’s office, complete with a life-size pig in a Huskers jersey. Just across town, the Sunken Gardens—once a neighborhood dump and later a Depression-era project—now bloom with flowers, ponds, and statues. Two very different places, but together they capture the history and character of Nebraska.
Laura Ingalls Wilder’s Prairie and Corn Palace
In De Smet I followed the trail of Laura Ingalls Wilder—from schools and the courthouse to the Ingalls Homestead—before heading to Mitchell to discover the Corn Palace, an auditorium covered in corn murals and steeped in history.
Bismark, ND - State Capitol
Touring North Dakota’s Capitol gave me a look at one of only three “tower” capitols in the country, complete with Art Deco details, massive wheat-inspired chandeliers, and sweeping prairie views from the 18th floor. I also stopped at the new Governor’s Residence, with its Prairie School feel, and wandered the historic grounds of Fort Abraham Lincoln where the Custer House stands on its original foundation—a place filled with both family life and frontier history.