Blog- a.k.a My weird adventures

In 2020, when I started my first haunted road trip, I visited the Elevator Brewery and Draught Haus in Columbus for a quick dine. Fast forward to 2026 and while in town for the World Oddities Expo convention, I decided to visit it again. In the restaurant, patrons sit at a mahogany wood bar. Below the bar has a beautiful mosaic floor. Light from the stained glass windows give the place ambiance. Bott Brothers Billards In 1893, the Columbia Expedition kicked off in Chicago.

One of the proud communities in Columbus, Ohio is the German Village. Many people frequent there on a nice sunny day visiting quaint shops and their popular restaurant Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant. Schmidt’s Sausage Haus Restaurant is not only home to its signature sausage platters but some ghosts as well. History of Schmidt’s Sausage In 1886, a German Immigrant named J. Fred Schmidt started a meat packing business in Columbus. Schmidt's Meat Packing House became not o

Ochopee, Florida, has a United States Post Office like every other city in the US. However, there is one tiny detail to it.It is the World’s Smallest Post Office. Hundreds of visitors visit this location daily to gawk at the size and send mail. Originally, It was not built as a post office but a storage shed for irrigation pipes for a nearby tomato farm. In 1953, It was converted to a post office after a fire took out the local general store which also served as the post off

Florida, especially Sanibel, is a big designation for people who love to go shelling (or collecting sea shells) as a pastime. So, There is one tourist designation that is a testament to Sanibel's beach culture. The Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum & Aquarium is located in Sanibel, Florida. The museum opened in 1995. Founders include malacologist, Dr. Robert Tucker Abbott, local benefactors,The Bailey Family, local shell collector Charlene McMurphy, and actor Raymond Burr

In Key West, Florida, When people think of curses the first that comes to mind is Robert the Doll at the Fort East Martello Museum. Robert is said to cause misfortune to those that disrespect him or take photos without his permission. While Robert has most of the clout in Florida it does overshadow one allegedly cursed item located in the Key West Shipwreck Museum. This item however is to be associated with the deaths of hundreds of men a few centuries ago. Nuestra Señora de

A couple months ago, I took a trip to the World Oddities Expo in Columbus. The event was held in the Greater Columbus Convention Center. It was bustling as there were other conventions and a graduation going on that day aside from the expo. Right near the exhibit hall to the expo in the North Atrium, the convention center had its own unique oddity. A 14 foot tall head with giant faces shown on it. This is an art installation called As We Are. Why is there a giant head? This a

The Bubble Room is a local favorite in Captiva, Florida. Not only does this restaurant serve fantastic cakes, but it also has a very unique layout. For a while I wanted to visit the place but due to the unfortunate events of Hurricane Ian and the fact I lived out of state I put the story on hold till it was open again. Finally I was able to visit the restaurant in March 2026 when I was down in Florida. History and Layout Before opening as a restaurant in 1979, it was a priva

While visiting family in the Ozarks, we took a visit to an unusual home. This was suggested by my aunt and uncle as they knew I loved odd things. This home has both nature inside and outside. This is Quigley’s Castle home to over 400 species of flowers in the perennial garden. It is also covered in stones, fossils and arrowheads. All collected by the previous lady of the house, Elisa Fioravanti Quigley. History In 1943, Elise Quigley had always dreamed of a home, and her hus

Allegheny Cemetery is Pittsburgh's largest cemetery, which was built in 1844. Since it opened, many yinzers have made this their final resting place. Some residents even still roam the grounds after death. Here are a few tales from that cemetery. Harry K. Thaw Harry K. Thaw was the son of William Thaw Sr., an industrialist. He was notorious for his temper and scandals. He also had a bizarre obsession with architect Stanford White. Harry believed Stanford was responsible for

Photos: Marisa De Roma (a.k.a The Wandering Oddball) Disclaimer: This article will mention graphic descriptions of a crime. Also, the subject of mental health and murder-suicide is one of the ghost stories. Reader discretion is advised. In the last article, I discussed the whole case with Lizzie Borden, a woman in 1892 who was accused of killing both her father and stepmother with an ax. She ended up getting acquitted and lived her remaining life in Maple Croft Manor till 1

Photo credit: Marisa De Roma (a,k,a The Wandering Oddball) Key West is home to an abundance of ghost stories. Some are malevolent or disturbing. Some are just people who never left Key West’s peaceful atmosphere. Then there are sad stories, the kind that would make you remember life is not fair. One of these tales comes from the Marreros Guest Mansion. Enriquetta Marrero The story goes that in 1890, a wealthy cigar-industry man, Francisco Marrero, was married to Enriquetta

Photo credit: Marisa DeRoma (a.k.a The Wandering Oddball) The Salem Witch Trials were not the only notorious thing to happen in Salem. In the 1800’s a murder of a wealthy man would draw fascination from the public, which would inspire both literature and possibly a game. You probably played this game as a kid with your family or even still have it somewhere, possibly in your attic or basement. This is the story of how the Parker Brothers possibly took inspiration from a real

Photo: Norma Fincher Introduction Gellért Hill (Gellérthegy) is a 235-metre dolomite hill that rises above the Danube in Budapest, offering panoramic views of the city. The hill is named after Saint Gellért (Gerard), an 11th-century bishop who, according to legend, was martyred by being rolled down the hill in a spiked barrel during a pagan rebellion. Today, the hill is famed for its historical monuments and natural thermal springs, and it forms part of Budapest’s UNESCO Worl

Photo: Norma Fincher Tucked within the winding cobblestone streets of Passau, Germany—where the Danube, Inn, and Ilz Rivers collide in a dramatic, scenic embrace—stands a Baroque masterpiece that looks like it was plucked straight out of a fairytale: St. Stephen’s Cathedral . But behind its majestic white façade and onion-domed towers lies a rich history... and some seriously strange stories. A Cathedral Built on Bones (Literally) The current St. Stephen’s Cathedral was buil

In 1902, the St. Johnthee Baptist Catholic Church was built. Throughout the decades, the church faced many unfortunate events, including a fire in 1915 and the Spanish influenza. Church attendance dwindled until it finally closed its doors in 1993. Then, in 1994, Sean Casey purchased the restaurant to turn it into a brewery. Today, the former Catholic Church is now a brewery called The Church Brew Works. Aside from the patrons occupying the former church/brewery, the spirits

Article: Alicia De Roma Photo: Norma Fincher Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop overlooking the Danube River, Melk Abbey looks like something straight out of a fairy tale—or perhaps the set of a historical fantasy film. But this isn’t fiction. This is one of Austria’s most opulent and mysterious treasures, and yes, it’s still home to real-life monks. Our journey through the Wachau Valley , a UNESCO World Heritage Site, led us to this stunning 11th-century Benedictine ab

Article: Alicia De Roma (a.k.a Loco Coco) Photos: Norma Fincher High above the medieval skyline of Nuremberg, Germany, stands a fortress that has witnessed centuries of secrets, sieges, and stories: the mighty Nuremberg Castle. But behind its stone walls lies more than just history — there’s mystery, myths, and a few bizarre surprises that even the locals whisper about. A Fortress Fit for Emperors Dating back to at least the 11th century, Nuremberg Castle ( Nürnberger Burg )

Article: Alicia De Roma (a.k.a Loco Coco) Photos: Norma Fincher Here is another tale of the Wandering Momager told with the help of Loco Coco. Tucked into the heart of Würzburg, Germany, surrounded by tidy vineyards and echoing church bells, stands a palace that seems almost too extra for its own good. The Würzburg Residence isn’t just another pretty European palace — it’s an architectural mic drop . Built between 1720 and 1744, this opulent stronghold was the final Baroque

Now to the ghost stories! To recap in 2010, Eric Freeman purchased the property in attempts to turn it into an after school program for troubled youth. Parts of the funeral home are off limits for tour groups for safety reasons. This place however is popular with ghost hunters and other paranormal groups. The Current Condition of the Building Prior to being bought, the building would be occasionally occupied by vagrants in the few years the building was abandoned. There is a

Today, we talk about one of the earliest cemeteries in America. Located on Charter Street in Salem,Massachusetts, the Charter Street Cemetery has laid to rest America’s earliest settlers. Yes, some from the Mayflower and some people involved with the Salem Witch Trials. This primarily serves as an overview of the cemetery. In future articles, I will address specific incidents or individuals. The Early History of the Cemetery The cemetery was established in 1637 and is Salem’

Disclaimer: The mention of suicide is in this article. Reader discretion is advised. Key West, Florida, especially downtown, is bustling with tourists. There are many restaurants, shops, and lodging options. Lodging includes several luxurious hotels and resorts. Among them is La Concha, which opened in 1926, and its owner was Carl Aubuchon. Many visitors over the years have come through the hotel, but a few never checked out. Ernest Hemingway A previous article I mentioned a

Years ago, when I was working at a restaurant, I would come in early to help with prep. We would have deliveries arrive at certain times of the week from Sysco and another company. Sometimes, when this truck would come in, my coworker would tell me, “Northern is here.” The truck Northern Haserot would come in. Typically, they would bring in bread for sandwiches that the restaurant would make. I did not connect the dots at the time that the name on a food delivery truck would

Key West loves to pride themselves on geography with the most popular tourist site being Southernmost Point Buoy Key West. That landmarker likes to remind people that Cuba is not very far. Key West shops have merchandise dedicated to the Southernmost Point. While it is the most popular of the landmarks in Key West, another landmark in Key West that is also popular enough to have its own souvenir shops. On the corner of Whitehead St and Fleming St., it is the end point if you

This is a Sycamore tree outside the Indiana Statehouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. This may be an ordinary-looking tree, but this one actually once went to space. You read it right! In the 1950s to the 1970s the Space Race was in full swing! USSR set Sputnik 1 and the United States wanted in on some of that space action. Thus they sent humans and animals. They did not stop with people and animals however, they had other specimens in mind. In 1971, Apollo 14 carried 500 seed s