Book Review - Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide by Kiernan P Schmitt

Whenever I visit a city again, especially after the third or fourth time, I always look for something new to do or see and this book is a perfect guide for exploring the city of Boston with a new perspective. I love that each item or location has detailed information or history. The pictures are great. The book is divided into areas (Central Boston, Cambridge, Brookline/Fenway/Back Bay, West, and East) with nice maps which makes focusing on one area so much easier especially if you need to rely on public transportation. In addition to some quirky things (Elephant Ashes?) there are some legitimate museums in here (Nantucket Lightship/LV-112 Museum). Almost all the sights are easy to get to or only require a small amount of walking. And, although this book was published in 2024, be sure to verify times before heading out.

Title: Secret Boston: An Unusual Guide
Author: Kiernan P Schmitt
ISBN: 978-2361957179
Pages: 288

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Book Review - The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps

Wandering the maps and travel section of the library sometimes produces an interesting read such as this book. The Phantom Atlast goes through historical maps and discusses images that were drawn on the map (such as mythological creatures) or locations that have since disappeared or have been renamed. There are several stories of fraudsters who drew up fictional locations. If you enjoy exploring maps and history, this is a must read. Try to find it at your local library.

Title: The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps
Author: Edward Brooke-Hitching
ISBN: 978-1452168401
Pages: 256

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Book Review - The Secret Life of Hidden Places

When I picked up this book, I thought it would be more like a travelogue and offer some unique places to visit. However, I would definitely not consider this a travel guide even though it's been listed in the travel section. Some of the places, like the Winchester Mystery House (https://winchestermysteryhouse.com/) you can visit because they are open to the public and this book offers an interesting overview of the house, Mrs Sarah Winchester, and her obsession with her home.

There are lots of interesting places described in good detail in this book such as The Krazy Kat Klub Speakeasy in Washington DC, The Sleeping Beauty Apartment in Paris, France (a time capsule apartment that had been untouched for 70 years), Labryinths, and much more.

Title: The Secret Life of Hidden Places: Concealed Rooms, Clandestine Passageways, and the Curious Minds That Made Them
Author: Stefan Bachman, April Genevieve Tucholke
ISBN: 978-1-5235-1698-8

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Event - #Travel #Texas - #Fredericksburg - Iwo Jima - 80 Years Later - February 21-23, 2025

Fredericksburg, Texas - Iwo Jima - 80 Years Later
February 21-23, 2025
The National Museum of the Pacific War
The museum is hosting three days of World War II activities and information to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the end of the war. Friday will feature an opening ceremony and activities in the ballroom and the day ends with a screening of the movie "Sands of Iwo Jima". Saturday's guest speaker session with Richard B. Frank, Keil Gentry, Steve McCloud, and Jonathan Parshall requires pre-registration due to a limited number of seats in the theatre. The evening will close with a concert and photography viewing. Sunday features a battle reenactment at the Pacfic Combat Zone. Walk-ups are allowed first come, first serve if there's availability. Then a book signing and closing ceremony. If you are a history buff, this sounds like a great opportunity to learn more about Iwo Jima.
If you can't make it out to Fredericksburg, register for a livestream link - https://mailchi.mp/nimitzfoundation.org/80th-anniversary-of-wwii-schedule
Address: 340 E Main St, Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Hours:
Fees: FREE
For more information: https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/iwo

Review - Texas - Tyler - Things to Do Around Town

Tyler, Texas is about an hour and half away from Dallas (three hours from Houston and four hours from Austin) which makes it a great location for a day trip.

If you take Interstate 20, keep an eye out for the exit to Tyler. It's listed with Lindale and is not directly off the highway. You have to drive south for a bit before you start seeing signs pointing you to the city.

Tyler is a relatively small city but Saturday afternoons feel rather crowded as you drive around the busier areas (such as the mall). The major tourist spots are located in the northern area of the city - The Caldwell Zoo, The Discovery Science Place Museum, and the Tyler Rose Garden.

 

The first stop on your tour should be the painted Wings mural located in downtown, specifically at 110 S Broadway Ave which is just a few blocks North from the The Discovery Science Place. Step on up on the sidewalk and take photos with the different styles and sized wings (they even have a pair for the kiddos).

 

You'll notice a lot of artwork around town. There's an Art Museum at the Junior College on 1300 S Mahon Ave. If you have a little bit of time, stop by during their business hours Tuesday-Saturday (10a-5p) or Sunday (1p-5p). $5 for guests over 13 years old; $3 for seniors; free for children or city employees.

The Discovery Science Place is at 308 N Broadway Ave. The museum is open Tuesday-Friday (10a-5pm), Saturday (10a-5pm) and Sunday (1pm-5pm). Please note from 9/12/22-9/30/22 they will be closed for maintenance. Admission is $10 for guests 13+; $8.00 for children 2-12; and free for those under 2. This is a fun hands-on museum. For more info, check out https://www.discoveryscienceplace.org/.

Also nearby is the infamous Tyler Rose Garden Center and Rose Museum located at 420 Rose Park Dr. Admission is free during their regular garden hours - Monday-Friday (8a-5p), Saturday (9a-5p) and Sunday (1p-5p). Roses are in bloom from mid-April through mid-October depending on the weather conditions. A little bit of additional info in listed on the CityOfTyler.org website. This is a small but family-friendly garden. The inside building hosts a variety of vendors. The very best time to visit is during the annual Texas Rose Festival in October. There will be all kinds of decorations and pagentry. Get more info here: https://www.texasrosefestival.com/

If you have time, drive around downtown and check out the Brickstreet District (you can't really miss the area since there are big signs and bricked streets turning off the main concrete roads). These buildings were erected between 1890 and 1940. Some will have plaques on their front porches. For specific details, check out the website, HistoricTyler.org. This site offers a colorful map of the historic landmarks or Click Here to download/print it yourself. Too bad the map doesn't include dates.

The University of Texas college system has a campus here in the southeastern area of town. They have a well-known baseball team so try to catch one of their games if you can.

My next review will be of the Caldwell Zoo located in the northwestern corner of Tyler.

Travel Texas - Events - #Temple - Homespun History Day - September 7, 2019

Temple, Texas - Homespun History Day
September 7, 2019
Hours: 11am - 2pm
Cost: FREE
Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum, Temple, Texas

If you're in the area, stop by the Temple Railroad and Heritage Museum during their annual Homespun History Day to re-live the simpler days when everything was made by hand. Watch demonstrations and re-enactors craft artwork including metal working and weaving.

For more information templerrhm.org

Travel Texas - Events - #Fredericksburg - Pacific Combat Living History Re-enactment - Aug 31- Sept 1, 2019

Fredericksburg, Texas - Pacific Combat Living History Re-enactment
Aug 31- Sept 1, 2019
National Museum of the Pacific War Pacific Combat Zone, Fredericksburg, Texas

Re-live the Pacific Combat Zone of World War II with re-enactments set on a Pacific island with US Marine actors, weapons demonstrations and simulations, and tanks. Lots of photo-ops. Sounds cool if you enjoy being immersed in history.

For more information www.pacificwarmuseum.org/

Travel Texas - Events - #Leming - Battle of Medina Commemorative Ceremony - August 17, 2019

Leming, Texas - Battle of Medina Commemorative Ceremony and History Symposium
August 17, 2019
Hours: 10am to 4pm
Cost: FREE
The Atascosa County Leming Annex (old Leming School), 25 E. 5th Street, Leming, TX 78050.

Come out and learn about the "bloodiest battle" for Texas Independence at the 17th annual Battle of Medina Commemorative Ceremony and History Symposium. The battle itself actually took place on August 18, 1813. There will be re-enactors and an authentic 1813 camp. Flags from different countries will be presented by a Color Guard and there will services including a Native American prayer and a wreath-laying ceremony.
In addition, there will be historians, professors, archaeologists and archivists presenting talks on various topics related to the battle and related topics.

For more information atascosa.agrilife.org/event/battle-of-medina-commemoration/

Travel Texas - Events - Lake Jackson - Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour - Aug 3, 2019

Lake Jackson, Texas - Abner Jackson Plantation Site Tour
August 3, 2019
Abner Jackson Plantation, Park and Ride at 1030 FM 2004, Lake Jackson, TX 77566

Hours: First Saturday of the Month - 10 am – 6 pm
Cost: FREE
Visit the historic archaeological site of former sugar plantation developed by Major Abner Jackson. This massive plantation was built in 1842 but was destroyed by the 1900 Galveston hurricane. At one time, over 80 slaves worked here but were eventually replaced in the 1870's by convice-laborers. During this limited open house, learn about the interesting process of making sugar.

Also, while you're here, enjoy a FREE visit to the 12,000 sq ft Lake Jackson Historical Museum located at 249 Circle Way, Lake Jackson, TX 77566
Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10am to 4 pm; Sunday & Monday – Closed

For more information ljhistory.org/