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In New Hampshire, nestled among the foothills of the White Mountains, lies oneof the most beautiful bodies of water anywhere in the world, Lake Winnipesaukee. Known to Native Americans since time immemorial as 'the beautiful water in a high place,' the Big Lake is extraordinary for many reasons, and perhaps none so curious as its postal service. Mail had been delivered by boat on Lake Winnipesaukee since 1892, and in 1916, after an Act of Congress, US Mail Boat Uncle Sam was officially proclaimed to be the 'only floating post office on an inland body of water in the world.' The Uncle Sam is no longer in commission, but its successors, right up to the current Sophie C, have all adopted this title with pride. United States Mail Boat invites you on a leisurely cruise around the lake, its many islands and surrounding mountains, exploring the history and folklore of this spectacular region, from the days of the Native Americans to the early settlers, and the establishment of Winnipesaukee's unique and enchanting floating post office. It is the perfect companion for a trip to this wonderful lake, whether from the comfort of your armchair, or from the deck of the Sophie C herself.

From the Civil War to Iraq and Afghanistan, tens of millions of America's sons and daughters have worn a warrior's uniform, yet fewer than 3,500 have been recognized for "valor and intrepidity." Every state in the Union is formally accredited with at least one Medal of Honor recipient--America's highest award for bravery in combat. Florida Valor is a history that recognizes the military achievements and social events that played out in the lives of certain soldiers, sailors, Marines, and airmen before, during, or after their military service. In addition to the formal citations, Florida Valor reveals connections that might encourage the discovery of new relationships by readers. For example, few realize the supply of safe drinking water for Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Rider cruise to Cuba was protected in St. Petersburg by the "most injured soldier" of the Civil War--both men with a Florida connection and destine to be honored. Florida Valor is also a story of an exclusive club, whose living membership might one day reach zero, marking a time when society succeeds in ending war.

Captain Cassin Young served with distinction in the US Navy until his death in the battle of Guadalcanal in January 1942. His fine example of courage and sacrifice was immortalized in December 1943 when the Fletcher Class destroyer USS Cassin Young was commissioned into service. Using a host of first-hand sources and previously unpublished interviews, this book illustrates vividly what it was like for the young crew and officers to serve aboard the Cassin Young, a 'tin can' destroyer, in some of the most intense naval battles of the Second World War. As well as heart-stopping action, it describes the boredom, the pranks, the discipline, the diet, the dangers, fears and deaths - and, above all, the unsettling dread of kamikaze attack. These were young men, some of them teenagers, eager to fight for their country; their combined experiences are amusing, harrowing, and poignant, but what endures most is their noble sense of brotherhood. The USS Cassin Young went on to serve in the Korean War and finally entered preservation at the Charlestown Naval Yard in Boston. It stands as a monument to the memory of many brave young men who were willing to sacrifice their lives for the sake of their country. This book humbly joins in honoring them.

Lake Sammamish, a freshwater lake located east of Seattle, Washington is nestled among the cities of Issaquah, Bellevue, Redmond, and Sammamish. The shores of the lake have been home to many, from the Sammamish Native Americans, to the current population. In the nineteenth century, timber companies realized the potential for development along Lake Sammamish, and logging operations thrived for years.

Boating on Lake Sammamish was a necessity for transport of logs to mills and later was a favorite pastime for those who loved the water. Water skiing became popular on the lake in the 1950s.

Resort life boomed in the 1920s on Lake Sammamish, and by the 1930s, nine resorts crowded the lake, five on the northwest shore alone.

Today, though most traces of milling have disappeared, Lake Sammamish still provides recreation opportunities for tens of thousands of people a year. The resort landscapes have changed, but children and adults alike still enjoy the lake waters by boating, swimming, and fishing.

In Weird Crescenta Valley, we learn about the odd events, people, and places of the valley, along with natural and supernatural oddities. For instance, a new-age religion was briefly located in Crescenta Valley, a religion that later had ties to the rock group The Who. Moreover, Hollywood's "King of Sleaze" lived quietly in the valley. Who knew that Nat King Cole's "Nature Boy" was written by a proto-hippie living in Big Tujunga Canyon in the 1950s? In the weird nature chapter, we learn the origin of the wild parrots of the valley, weird critters such as bats and horny toads, and oddball native plants such as dodder, a parasite that looks and feels like strings of bright orange plastic. And of course, Weird Crescenta Valley is rounded out by the usual assortment of local UFO and Bigfoot sightings, along with several chilling ghost stories. Don't be fooled by the Crescenta Valley's stable reputation. It's actually a weird place!

Grab your imagination, and let's go for a ride along the
roads of scenic Connecticut. We will see rolling valleys,
rocky cliffs, lush deciduous forests, marshes, old castles,
ruins, art, and unusual landmarks on this journey. The
old north state contains many ghostly hauntings and the
bones of those that walked before us. If you listen closely,
you can almost hear the monstrous footsteps like
thunder that roamed this land. We will evolve and soar
onward in our experience through spring, summer, fall,
and winter, peeking into the charming corners of small
towns, orchards, farms, and even an urban oasis. There is
so much to see on these winding roads that it cannot be
contained in the pages of just this book alone.
Connecticut is a state one must revisit.

Chippeny Hill, located in the northeast corner of Bristol (then New Cambridge), Harwinton and Plymouth has long been known as the home of Tories. Tories in Revolutionary War times were those that remained loyal to England, or were perhaps just fond of the Anglican Church. The Puritans were a stern bunch and those of the Church of England had songs to share, Christmas trees, feasts and presents. Rev. Newell of the First Congregational Church of New Cambridge said such things were of the devil.
After the French and Indian War, England needed to replenish its sorely depleted treasury. England felt that since much of its expenditure was to protect the American colonies from French incursion, it only seemed right that the colonies should pay their share. The American colonies did not agree and the beginnings of the Revolutionary War struggles began. Those loyal to England gathered on Chippeny Hill. Their stories are today's legends, ghosts and myths--the very fabric of early Connecticut.

Quail Run Ranch, a place forgotten to time, sits hidden in the hills of Southern California. Although it looks sedate and unimposing, the very land it sits on has a rich and ancient history, going back to the Tongva. This land holds the stories of prehistoric settlement, Spanish conquest, enslavement by a powerful foreign master known as the Church of Rome, and abuses by mission fathers who promised salvation in exchange for obedience. The very stones hold the memory of western settlement and a family of master masons and artisans, descendants of a defrocked priest from Switzerland, who left an indelible mark on the land in the form of the buildings they hand built and decorated with superb craftsmanship. With the last owner gone, the ghosts of those who once lived here have chosen to stay. Most of the spirits are benign and gentle, except for the Shadow Monk, who has caused grown men to flee in abject terror.

Night Salvage is a nocturnal love letter to three rarely seen collections of junk cars, lost in the deserts of Southern California. Follow the author as he haunts these vehicular graveyards. Even as he paints his scenes with light during the lengthy time exposures, he paints pictures with words as his essays capture the essence of the experience. Drift with him like a ghost through these strange sites: a classic abandoned High Desert junkyard; a TV and movie prop vehicle graveyard; and a little known art project, consisting of thousands of cars, forgotten up a remote canyon. Whether you're a fan of automotive history or creative photography, riding into the night with Troy will be an unforgettably mind-bending journey.

Timber has always been one of the principle industries in the United States. The tasks and technologies associated with logging trees, hauling them to sawmills and other forest product plants, processing them into useable products, and then moving those to market always have left substantial marks on both history and the landscape. Yet the industry has never been static, and changing economics, technologies, social pressures, and other forces have left many traces of the past as the new replaced the old, as plants opened and closed, and as values and philosophies shifted.
The ghosts of the timber industry come in many forms, such as abandoned sawmill sites, stumps in the forest, static displays in city parks and museums, tourist attractions, and geographic place names. Taken together, they tell the story of a way of life that, while it continues today, has radically changed from the old ways. This book seeks to present a few snapshot views of some of these remnants in the Pacific Coast states, explaining their role both in history and in the present.

Ghost Stories from the San Joaquin Delta provides an introduction to local history through stories that reflect our culture and identity.

Tule fog, railroads, waterways and remote homesteads provide a rich canvas upon which local legends are built. Once home to the wealthiest pioneers in California, few today remember John Marsh. Point of Timber, populist political wars, and ritualistic murders were once known in far eastern Contra Costa County. Truth is stranger than fiction as creation stories, cultural myths, extraordinary deaths, and unsolved mysteries from the California Delta heartland are revealed. You will find hair-raising stories of escaped anaconda snakes, missing wives, lone horsemen, train wrecks, fire and wistful love.

The communities of Brentwood, Byron, Knightsen, Oakley, Discovery Bay, Bethel Island and the Far East Islands were settled by agribusiness pioneers, exported more grain in the 1870s than the entire Mississippi Valley, and welcomed the San Pablo and Tulare railroad--and they were scary! The bandit Joaquin Murrieta stole horses here, ritualistic murders occurred on Jersey Island and Hispanic folklore brought the La Llorna legend to the waterways. Do not forget the ghosts at the Byron Hot Springs! Today, these communities are safe and secure San Francisco Bay Area suburbs. Or are they? Do not underestimate the unexplained apparition of Sarah Norton, the "White Witch," lurking just outside your home.

Randsburg, California, once a booming and bustling Mojave Desert town during the golden era of gold and silver mining, still lives on. At one time, this place was peopled with some very interesting characters, like French Marguerite and Fay LeRoy, well-known soiled doves. Miners, outlaws, shady politicians, regular families--all could be found living and working literally side-by-side without the normal societal divisions. With a population of roughly seventy people, the town has earned the reputation as the liveliest ghost town. Although there are many fascinating old abandoned buildings and structures to explore, the town offers a rich, immersive experience through original old buildings that are still open for business, offering everything from food to antiques and artwork by local artists. Every September, the town goes all-out with Randsburg's Old West Day celebration, including gun fights, live music, vendors, and people wearing period-era clothing. If you are looking for history, fun, a relaxed atmosphere, and a good family day out, Randsburg offers all of it. Randsburg is also very popular with dirt-bike riders and motorcyclists all year round.