Dec 19, 1862 Battle of Jackson, Tennessee

   Southeast of Jackson, Tennessee, skirmishes between December 11, 1862 and January 1, 1863 between Nathan Bedford Forrest's cavalry and Union forces took place around this area.

Hocus Pocus Filming Locations

   Over the summer, we visited Salem, Massachusetts. One of the main things we wanted to see while in the area was various places used in the 1993 Disney movie "Hocus Pocus". Unfortunately we didn't have access to the film before the trip(why I never bought it before, I do not know!), so there were places we missed. But I am quite pleased with the locations we were able to find.

   The film starts in the past at a small village. I would include that location here, but the historic village was closed at the time, and photos from the fence show an area quite overgrown. You can barely make out the buildings through the woods.

Obsession With Salem, Massachusetts

   I was not feeling well when we visited Salem, but it did not detract from my feeling of awe when seeing it for the first time. The sadness of the Trials memorial. The awesomeness of The Burying Point Cemetery, this rich history, the sense of familiarity from having seen the area on so many television shows. There were times I would just stand and look around, trying to take it all in, hardly believing I was really there. I know that I really, really want to return.

Liberty Tour Day 3: Lost in Boston and Seeing Salem

   Bumper to bumper traffic at 6am going in to Boston, of course. Remember, I don't need no stinkin' gps, I got maps and instinct! Take Storrow Drive, sure, that sounds right. Charles River, ooh pretty! There's an exit for Fenway, take that! Oh, not Fenway Park...where are we? Wrong way, take a right at the next street, then another right, then a left, just a few more streets. I think. Yes! There she is, what a beauty!