Miracle Mindset

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey This past weekend, Terri and I decided to brave the heat and humidity and spend an afternoon touring the Acadian Village (Museum) in Lafayette. I have to admit that this has been a location that I have wanted to see for some time now. When Terri woke up Saturday morning and said that she wanted to go explore the location, I was more than happy to oblige her.

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Recently, Terri and I decided to take the day off and travel up Monroe for a day of antiquing and sightseeing. After we had taken in all the wonderful shops in West Monroe, we decided to travel across the river and check out the Chennault Aviation and Military Museum. A local friend of ours highly recommended it, so we thought that we couldn't pass it up.

 Story and Photos By Ken Hulsey One of the things I truly miss about Southern California is spending leisurely days at the Southern California Railway Museum (formerly known as the Orange Empire Railway Museum). While sifting through an old folder of photographs from a few years ago, I rediscovered a treasure trove of images I took at the museum. The highlight was definitely the museum's operational steam locomotive, the former Ventura County Railway 2-6-2 No. 2. I thought it would be great to share some of these photos with fellow rail enthusiasts.

 Photos and Story by Ken Hulsey Halfway between Memphis and Nashville is the historic town of Jackson, Tennessee. Though you may not have heard of Jackson, just about everyone has heard of the town's most famous former resident, Casey Jones.  Just in case you haven't heard the tale of  his death and the song that transformed him into an American folk hero:

 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey Kramer Junction, a small desert outpost along Highway 395 in California, offers some surprising treasures for those willing to stop and explore. Kramer Antiques is a unique shop filled to the brim with vintage finds, collectibles, and memorabilia from bygone eras. Outside, an array of classic cars and trucks immediately attracts attention, hinting at the wonders that await inside.

 Photos and Story By Ken Hulsey This past Saturday, I spent the afternoon exploring the grounds of the Southern Forest Heritage Museum in Long Leaf, Louisiana. The museum is situated on the site of the former Long Leaf Sawmill Complex, which was one of many mill complexes in the region. While the mill itself is fascinating to explore, I chose to focus on the old facilities of the Red River and Gulf Railroad on this gloomy day.

 Gibsland, Louisiana, was a quiet little town in north-central Louisiana in 1934. Nothing much had ever happened there until two of America's most notorious outlaws, Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow, stopped in for breakfast. Unbeknownst to them, this would be their last meal, as just south of the town, a posse of Texas and Louisiana lawmen had set up an ambush that would ultimately end their two-year spree of killings and robberies with a barrage of bullets.

  Exploring Steamtown National Historic Site: A Journey Through Railroad History Nestled in the heart of downtown Scranton, Pennsylvania, Steamtown National Historic Site (NHS) offers a remarkable glimpse into the rich history of America’s railroads. Spanning 62.48 acres, this railroad museum is built on the remnants of the former Scranton yards of the Delaware, Lackawanna and Western Railroad (DL&W), providing an engaging environment for railroad enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.

Recently, my wife and I decided to travel west from our home in central Louisiana and cross the border into Texas to visit the city of Lufkin. Although Lufkin is a smaller city, with a population of 34,074, it boasts many attractions, including several top-notch museums. After considering our options, we chose to spend our afternoon at the Naranjo Museum of Natural History.