Fort Donelson, Tennessee

If you're visiting Tennessee, try to make a stop at Fort Donelson National Battlefield, which is located just northwest of Nashville.  Ft. Donelson was the location of the North's first key victory of the Civil War and the place where Ulysses S. Grant earned his famous nickname "Unconditional Surrender" Grant.

The battle took place on February 14-16, 1862.  Prior to that, over 400 small huts were constructed for the soldiers and slaves to live in.  Those not lucky enough to be granted a hut had to endure the elements in the cold February environment.

The Cumberland river played a major role in the battle by supplying a way for the Federal troops to descend on the Confederate controlled Ft. Donelson. Gradually encircling the Fort, Grant finally closed all escape routes, forcing General Buckner to ask Grant for his terms of surrender.

Located nearby is the Fort Donelson National Cemetery.  It contains the remains of 670 Civil War burials as well as veterans from all other American Wars.

Several blocks away is the Dover Hotel.  During the battle the South used it as their headquarters, but once General Buckner accepted General Grants surrender terms, the two met there to work out all the details....

A record setting 13,000 Confederate prisoners were amassed here and eventually shipped northward to prison camps located in Illinois, Indiana, Ohio and Massachusetts.

Today the Dover Hotel sits on the banks of the Cumberland River, a tranquil reminder of the horrors of war that took place over 150 years ago...

For those of you interested in geocaching, there is an Adventure Lab called "Fort Donelson" located here.   It will take you to key locations inside the battlefield, as well as The National Cemetery and then on to the Dover House. 

For more information concerning the battles of Fort Donelson and nearby Fort Henry, pick up a copy of:  

Grant Invades Tennessee: The 1862 Battles for Forts Henry and Donelson

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Kentucky's 400 Mile Yard Sale 2021

Kentucky recently held its annual 400 mile yard sale and I always look forward to going.  It was cancelled last year due to Covid and a mini-sale was held last October, altho it was a fraction of what the normal sale usually entails.   The sale stretches along Hwy 68 from Northern Maysville all the way to Western Kentucky near Paducah.  

Our first stop every year is at a nearby school because they are always filled with goodies.  Not only is the gym over flowing, but most of the first floor classrooms and hallways are loaded with stuff as well.

After hitting the first sale and loading up on goodies, we stopped at the Golden Arches for some breakfast and frappes....

Mom enjoying her sandwich....

Sales are held at churches, schools, in peoples yards or barns, and along the roadway in parking lots and  garages....

We spent 3 days driving around.  One day we went north on 68 and the next day we went south on 68, with the third day spent driving around to see what we missed in our area.  I sell vintage and repurposed items on Etsy and at an antique mall, so I can always find lots of things to buy.   Here's just a sampling of what I got....

an appetizer tray...

Brass light plate...

Purina Biscuit Tin....

Sugar crock...

Tupperware lettuce keeper...

Recipe box with recipes...

Books....

Tin....

More books...

Adorable Snoopy glass...

Cowboy mugs...

Albums...

Battlestar Galactica glass...

1970's Keep on Truckin' glass.  I almost kept this one for myself...

Garfield mug...

Chicago stein...

Cookie press...

Great Creedence Clearwater Revival shirt...

Pink jacket...

LOVED this glass bowl...

More books....

And my favorite find of the weekend.... a pair of cowboy boots in my size.  They were brand new, never worn and go for $ 60.00-$ 70.00 brand new.  I paid a dollar - score!!  Needless to say, I kept them for myself.

This is only part of what I ended up bringing home.  I'll be busy listing stuff for the next week.  I'm already dreaming about next years sale.

Some of these items I have listed in my Etsy shop already.  Hop on over and check out my store.

Geocaching in Metropolis Illinois

Last week Mom and I drove to Metropolis, Illinois to do an Adventure Lab and a few geocaches.   Metropolis has been the adopted home of Superman since 1972 and this small town is host to oodles of Superman tributes.  Metropolis is located in southern Illinois, off Hwy 24, just before the bridge into Kentucky.  

We decided to do an Adventure Lab called "A Superman Adventure" and it took us to 5 different locations throughout the town where we had to find and identify certain clues.

Lois Lane....

The Daily Planet...

I love the huge Superman statue on the town square...

Metropolis has several stores selling Superman themed items so if you're looking for a special gift, here's the place to shop!

A large slab of Kryptonite....

We had great fun exploring the town and grabbing all the clues to complete the Adventure Lab.  We even had time to do a few regular geocaches as well.  

Every year Metropolis hosts a Superman Celebration.  For more information, check this out.

If you're interested in geocaching, check out my tab at the top of the page to read more about it.

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101 Devil Caches

Geocaching, The Ultimate Beginners Guide

Geocaching: Geocaching Guide For Beginners! - Learn Everything You Need To Know About Geocaching

Camping Supply List

Below is a copy of my camping supply list.   I keep a copy on my computer and just print it out prior to each trip so I make sure I grab everything I need.   You may not need all the same items and you may have a few on your list that I don't have.  

BEFORE YOU GO:  CHECK OIL, TIRE PRESSURE, AND

FILL WINDSHIELD WASHER TANK ON YOUR VEHICLE. 

ALL container for water station 

Aluminum water bottles for back pack

Aluminum foil   (with camp stove)

Amacool Fan (Dresser)

Aspirin, CBD Oil  and any meds (Dresser)

Baby wipes (Seat Organizer)

Baggies  both sizes  (kitchen bucket)

Beach bag for shower:  Soap, SHAMPOO, CONDITIONER, HAIR DRYER,

flip flops, Towel and wash rag 

Baseball cap

Bear spray (Trunk)

Benedryl (Beach Bag)

Black organizer for shoes, maps, magnifying glass, backpack,

itinerary and pamphlets.  Put on front seat.

Binoculars  (IN PINK BUCKET)

Blankets - red quilt and red lap blanket

Books (Seat Organizer)

Booties for over my dirty shoes

Both pairs of glasses and a spare pair of readers

Bra/sport bra (Dresser)

Bucket and toilet seat with kitty litter

Camelback jacket with fleece lining, Carhartt hat, gloves, rain jacket and pants (in ebag)

Camera, long lenses, charger, extra sd cards. (charge before I leave - IN EBAG)

Camp chair    (ROOF CARRIER)

CAR BATTERY CHARGER  (IN TRUNK)  CHARGE BEFORE I LEAVE

CBD Freeze (Dresser)

CHANGE FOR TOLLS AND LAUNDRY (Glove compartment)

Chip clips  (Kitchen bucket)

Coffee press (kitchen bucket)

Coffee cup/THERMOS (kitchen bucket)

Cook stove, propane and cooking stuff    (kitchen bucket)

Coleman Cooler for water bottles and groceries

Cot

CREDIT CARDS AND CASH

Deodorant (Beach Bag)

Duct tape  (IN PINK BUCKET)

Epi pen   (go bag)

Extension cord (long) and surge protector  (kitchen bucket)

Ezorkas Camping Lanterns  charge before I go

Fiber tablets (Dresser)

Fire extinguisher  (IN PINK BUCKET)

Fire starters/vaseline and cotton balls   (pink bucket)

Flannel shirt (Dresser)

Folding table   (KEEP IN ROOF CARRIER)

Food Seasonings/salt   (Kitchen Bucket)

Frying pans and pot (KITCHEN BUCKET)

Geocaching bag and list

GPS 

Gun with lockbox and security cord (MY PERSONAL

PREFERENCE - PLEASE NO NEGATIVE COMMENTS)

Green Windbreaker   (IN BACKPACK)

Gym shoes 

Hair brush (Beach bag)

Headlamp and spare batteries (Dresser)

Heating PAD if going to be cold-plug into Jackery

Hiking boots

Hiking pants and long sleeve shirt (Dresser)

Hiking poles (trunk)

I pad, charger and car mount

Iced tea Jugs (Coleman Cooler)

Insect repellent, poison oak lotion, tick spray  (in trunk)

Jean Jacket

Jackery, car charger cord  and solar panels (roof carrier)

Jet Boil and  spare tanks (kitchen bucket)

Jumper cables  (IN TRUNK)

Laundry bag and laundry detergent     ( ROOF CARRIER)

Lip balm (backpack)

Long lighters - 2     (Kitchen bucket)

Long underwear with fleece  (Dresser)

Makeup (Beach Bag)

Mattress topper

Medical kit (Backpack)

National Parks Book and parks pass (Dresser)

Pants (Dresser)

Paper towels - 2

Passport if going near Canada (lockbox)

Pens (Glove compartment)

Pepto Bismol (Dresser)

personal safety device - Sassy Lady Siren (On purse or backpack)

Pillow

Pink Bucket  - axe, hammer, duct tape, propane tanks, fire extinguisher

Plastic dresser - 3 drawer organizer for clothes and odds and ends

Pocket knife   (pink bucket)

Portable Tire Inflator (Trunk)

Propane tanks for camp stove    (pink bucket)

Rapid charger and cord for backpack

Seat organizer (HANG ON BACK OF DRIVERS SEAT)

SetPower Cooler   Plug in the night before so its cold

Shirts (Dresser)

Shorts (Dresser)

Sleeping bag

Small black travel purse

Socks plus warm socks for bed (Dresser)

Sweatsuit to sleep in (Dresser)

Sweatshirt (Dresser)

Tablecloth  (IN KITCHEN BUCKET)

Tarp for bottom of tent   (Roof top carrier)

Tent (Roof top carrier)

Tent cord repair kit ( in pink bucket)

Toilet paper - 3 at least

Tooth brush and toothpaste (Beach Bag)

TOWELS FOR WIPING OFF WET STUFF (E bag in trunk)

Tow Strap   (in trunk)

Trash bags  ( in toilet bucket)

Tweezers/nail files (Beach Bag)

Umbrella (Seat Organizer)

Underwear (Dresser)

Wallet  

Walmart bags (pink bucket)  take a lot of these

Washrag, scrubbie, DISH SOAP  and towel for kitchen (in kitchen bucket)

Watch AND charger

Water JUGS -  also freeze water bottles and then you can drink the water when they thaw.

Whisk broom (in trunk)

Work Gloves  (in pink bucket)

I label all my misc. chargers with a label maker and then keep all the chargers in a plastic bag.

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