The Relocation Tourist – The Relocated Tourist

Struggling to stay Motivated

March 11, 2021March 16, 2021Amy Joy

I don’t know if you are like me, but I wake up with this insane amount of energy (pending I actually got some good sleep). I either walk, run, or get my steps in at the Parks, but I usually find that my exercise suits me best in the morning. On my cool downs is when I get the best ideas, the most crystal clear of clarity on things, and I just get stuff FINALLY done. (In my head anyways). So when I hit this wall of nothingness, my motivations plunges so deep that it feels like I never had it. No, I’m not depressed, quite the opposite, just have lost my mojo right now.

My family feels it is exhaustion and stress from the sale and that it will play itself out- they are probably right. Funny thing is, I can write this with no problem. But the amazing travels I want to share, the beautiful pictures, the ideas and suggestions for you all, they are all written down, but nothing is coming out. Some say writers block, must be it. So I have been working on other things to keep my mind busy. First, I have given the old girl a facelift….not me, I am beautiful and don’t need one, I mean ye old website. I have breathed fresh air into her and I LOVE how she looks. If you are wondering where the HEADER pic was taken, it was at Glacier National Park. If I had to envision Heaven, it would be that or “Flight of Passage.” My absolute FAVORITE National Park, so much that I plan on seeing it again this summer along with my dear friend and her family in Kalispell, Montana.

The planning has also been slow coming, and even though I broke it down into months, then seasons, then sections, then weeks, it is STILL overwhelming. I know I decided this and I know it will be AWESOME when I actually start it, but I always set these HIGH expectations in my head so much that the narrative I have on not dissappointng myself or you, sits on a reel on repeat. Honestly, it can be maddening at times, and then I just kind of snap out of it and go on with my day. A dear friend gifted me CBD oil for my migraines, so maybe that will help calm everything going on in there. I have so many wonderful ideas and plans that I seem to need to get them out NOW instead of taking a decent pace in life. OR I need to kick caffeine.

Everyone has been getting their stuff from my sale, so I am VERY happy about that. So much work and then with the Post Office being slower these days, I just held my breath and prayed everyone saw their stuff. The items that didn’t sell I am trying to figure out what to do with them. I thought about just showing one item a day and that way it’s not overwhelming to people, and they can buy as they choose without digging through a sale of 800 items. Yes, that’s how many there were LOL. The lady at the Post Office actually asked me and I told her and she said “Wait you did this all by yourself?” Yes, yes I did. Happy people are happy with their new found treasures, happy that I have some funds now for my trip and have let go of a dear collection.

So what’s next? I have some fun announcements to make once everything is “ready.” It’s been a time getting and gathering for the next “thing” on here, and I SO appreciate my TEAM who help me on this side of things. They say you have life made if you have a really good Dentist, Doctor, Car Mechanic, and IT guy. I would have to add Graphic Designer to that- JT has been incredibly valuable and is SO MUCH appreciated!

I have roughly 2.5 months left until my World opens up and closes all at the same time. I am trying to get ready as much as possible, and with every plan made, I start to panic. What if I get lonely on the road, what if noone watches my videos that I worked so hard on, what if nobody cares? And then the real Amy stood up and said “Do it for yourself, share what you want, when you want, how you want. This site, it comes second. Your joy, my joy, it comes first, ALWAYS. People will love and hate you every damn day, and it’s how you react, how you take that internally that truly keeps you from letting it BECOME you. Be who YOU are and the right kind will follow you and the wrong will fall away. Let your internal narrative shout of positivity and of courage, be brave in your choices and ALLOW them to be yours. You do not NEED permission, you do not NEED their acceptance, you only need YOURS.”

So that’s what I am going to do.

The REAL Exorcist Home

October 31, 2020November 2, 2020Amy Joy

So you’re watching your favorite scary movie, and you are beyond creeped out. And whether it is shown in the beginning or end credits, the chill we most get are those famous words “Inspired by a True Story.” I personally love the true ones, altho over time it seems Hollywood takes more and more liberties with the root of the factual story and spins it so badly you are left wondering what the real story actually was.

The “Exorcist” movie is a classic, and if it didn’t disturb or scare you, you may not have a pulse. Well, what’s even creepier is that it was INDEED BASED ON A TRUE STORY! The home, found in St. Louis, MO, at 8435 Roanoake Drive (For all you AMERICAN HORROR STORY FANS- the irony of this address is to funny), couldn’t look less the part. The windows have seen better days, the yard as well, but as I drove up, all I could think of what evil was in that home. How incredibly scary to not have any control over your own body and emotions, and what it must have been like for that poor 13 year old boy who resided there. There were several cars parked in front of it, and you won’t find signage or a plaque that says “EXCORCIST HOME” altho I feel they would make some good money with photo opps if they did. What’s even crazier is that it happened back in the 1940s, and the victim is still alive today and won’t talk. I don’t know if I would either.

The movie actually was birthed from the book written by William Peter Blatty, and there is some who argue that the exorcism wasn’t performed at the home, but the University next door. The exorcism, performed by several Priests, actually lasted over a month, and he was finally freed of the Devil at the psych ward in a nearby hospital. The author was able to use one of the journals the Priests kept about the details of the case to write the book. When the movie was released, it was so intense that people were throwing up in the aisles and leaving the show. Due to the fame the picture brought, the Priests had to answer to the accounts of the story – denying a lot of the happenings, but not EVER that it actually INDEED happened. The Church and Hospital are now since gone, so the only remaining piece of this scary puzzle is the home. Check it out… if you dare!! (Meniachical laugh) Want to see more spooky stuff? Check it out HERE– enjoy!

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Going from “What If? to “Why Not” is my life motto and I work hard at living that every day. I share everything from moving to Florida to live near Disney World to road trips across the States. I love the cool, quirky, and crazy stuff that I can find on my Adventures, and every dollar you donate helps support my efforts and hard work. Thank you to ALL who support me!

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Haunted Bellefontaine Cemetery…St. Louis

October 31, 2020October 31, 2020Amy Joy

It goes without saying, most feel that Cemeteries are haunted with spirits that for some reason, still roam the Earth. I have always found a peace about them- the large trees, rolling hills of grass, and a sense that I’m never alone, but also that I am in no danger either. So on this road trip, I have been exploring more of these types of places and less the buildings with their tickets and hours. Not that they don’t have hours as well, but I can come and go as I please, and just enjoy looking and talking to them. We put these stones to remember our loved ones, yet with the over 30 at least now I have visited so far, it was sad to see barely a live soul there. So I almost feel like I am visiting them, yes, I am wierd, and no, I’m not a psychic. Just like to love on souls.

Upon my visit to the great City of St. Louis, I read up on a couple of really interesting Cemeteries, this being one of them. Located along the river banks of the great Mississippi, (Do yall want to know HOW many times I have had to type that and having to channel my inner grade student? LOL), this beautiful resting place hosts some famous souls. William Clark of “Louis and Clark” is memorialized here with the words “His Life is Written in the History of His Country.” Wow, just beautiful! My luck my stone will say “Duh.”

The Cemetery boasts of Memorial Arcitectural works that have been documented with the National Registry of Historic Places. Started in 1875, the Bellefontaine Cemetery has so many born and passed in the 1800’s, that the vibe in here is certainly an air of ancient. It just feels old. I’m always drawn to the older tombstones, the masoleums and crypts, and the statues that some chose to have on top of their stones to be remembered by. Personally, I love the picture ones, so you can see the person when they were happy and full of life.

Haunted? Well it’s been reported that fog and mist are seen during the day and night here. Now the skeptic is saying “Yes Amy, that is what we called “weather”” but it’s usually a bit more defined than that. Honestly, I think you feel someone close to you more than you SEE them. Hence why someone feels cold if a spirit is nearby. The eyes play tricks on us, so it’s hard to define what is real and what isn’t. So to that I say, believe what you wish. It’s a really beautiful place and I enjoyed visiting it! Check out more of my HAUNTED ROAD TRIP HERE. Enjoy!

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The Lemp Mansion…Most Haunted in St. Louis

October 31, 2020October 31, 2020Amy Joy

Another location I had heard about for years was the “Lemp Mansion.” Located in St. Louis, Missouri, at 3322 DeMenil Place, this Mansion holds lots of secrets, and sadly, many suicides. Found in the posh side of town, what was then known as “Benton Park,” Lemp built this home from his fame and fortune from his Brewery, found just down the road from his home. Adam Lemp came from Germany and decided to sell his own vinegar and beer here in the States. His beer became popular because it was German lagers instead of the American Ales, focusing and creating his “Western Brewery.”

As generations lived on over the years, indiscretion, children out of marriages, disease, and so on, would move four of the family members to commit suicide INSIDE the house. And of course, with so much death in the home, there was bound to be a few who stayed behind to haunt. Everything from appartitions, slamming doors, cold spots, and more have been experienced inside the house. After the last of the family members passed, it was turned into a boarding home and then again bought and revived in 1975. The Pointer family brought it back to it’s glory, and it now serves as a Restaurant and Bed & Breakfast.

I was touring all day when I came upon this on Saturday, August 22nd. I was so excited to see it, and of course, they had a wedding going on so it was a no go to walk in. Again, what is meant for me is meant for me, and maybe I was being kept from something sinister and I am OK with that! Honestly just the outside of the home had a very dark vibe to it, and I just felt heaviness on my chest as I looked up into the windows. The neighborhood it sits in is also famous and adorable and it was just neat to see it all in person. If you like the haunted stuff, I highly encourage you to call ahead for dinner reservations or room reservations and then you can say you stayed at one of THE most haunted places in the U.S.! Want to read about more haunted places? Check HERE and enjoy!

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Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, IL… Al Capone’s Final Resting Place.

September 25, 2020September 10, 2020Amy Joy

There is peace found in places where all that lives is silence. It’s what brings me to these solitudes, to walk among the once vertical and chat. Might seem strange to some, but if you know me, you are not surprised. What people don’t realize is that you can learn so much from a walk amongst the dead, what they stood for, or lay for I guess now, and what they wanted to be remembered by. I have seen some strange stuff this summer, and I’m not talking Covid, but the stones, and monuments that people chose to be remembered by are very interesting. When I look up a Cemetery, I am looking for the older ones, the 1800’s have THE most beautiful pictures and stones. I also do my research to see if someone famous has been buried there, which a quick chat wit Sir Google will always help you find that!

Today’s Cemetery adventure took me to Mt. Carmel Cemetery in Hillside, Illinois, located at 100 S.. Wolf Road. As you drive in, you can’t help but drop your jaw to the floor. Hills and hills of tombstones make it look like something you would definitely find out of a horror film, and it doesn’t help things that THIS Cemetery is known as the “Mobster’s Cemetery.” Why? THE Al Capone is buried here, along with Frank Capone, Ralph Capone, Vincent Drucci, Sam Giancana, Genna Brothers, Jake Lingle, Antonio Lombardo, Jack McGurn, Charles Nicoletti, Frank Nitti, Dean O’Banion, Frank Rio, Roger Touhy, and Earl Weiss. The Capone stone was huge, and surrounded by many family members who are buried there. To find it, enter the Cemetery from Roosevelt Rd, and he’s about 6 stones down on the right. It’s actually on the list of “Route 66 Roadside Attractions.” Apparently they had to move Al Capone to this Cemetery from Mount Olivet because of constantly dealing with grave diggers at the previous place. It was beautiful to see all of the fresh rose petals and candy all over the graves. I paid my respects and left.

Also noted that several Cardinals and Bishops were buried here, as it is a Catholic Cemetery, along with Dennis Farina (actor), and MLB Baseball Players, Jack Powell and Ken Silvestri. A famous gal and ghost story surrounds Julia Buccola Petta, the “Italian Bride.” Check out her story tomorrow on the blog! I encourage you to take a sunny day and drive through and read the stones, for what they are there for is TO be remembered. Thanks for reading!

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Dollhouse Collection at “House on the Rock”

September 19, 2020September 10, 2020Amy Joy

I took so many wonderful pictures during my time at “House on the Rock,” that I wanted to make sure to not overwhelm my readers with a novel of pictueres. So to break it up a bit, I thought I would just post couple pictoral posts about some of the rooms that were JUST AMAZING!! If you had a dollhouse growing up, or wanted one, you will understand WHY this was as awesome as it was. I took video of them as well, which will be posted on “The Relocated Tourist” Facebook account, so check that out! In the meantime, these were some of my favorite ones, enjoy!

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“Streets of Yesterday” in the House on the Rock

September 17, 2020September 19, 2020Amy Joy

I took so many wonderful pictures during my time at “House on the Rock,” that I wanted to make sure to not overwhelm my readers with a novel of pictures. So to break it up a bit, I thought I would just post a couple of pictoral posts about some of the rooms that were JUST AMAZING!! For more information about my visit, check out the FULL POST HERE. “Streets of Yesterday” is the most bizarre to come upon since you are supposed to be TOURING A HOUSE! I don’t know about you, but when was the last time you were visiting a friend’s home and you just happened to stumble upon a Main Street USA IN THEIR HOME!! Yes, I kid you not! This home is like that SNL skit that Stefan does where he makes up all this wierd stuff up about the clubs you should check out in New York … “This house has everything, sunken floors, low ceilings, dark corners, and a good old Main Street USA!” Don’t believe me? Check out the photos below, don’t say I didn’t warn ya! LOL Want more? Check it out HERE.

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Let’s see the HOUSE Pictures of “House on the Rock”

September 16, 2020September 19, 2020Amy Joy

I took so many wonderful pictures during my time at “House on the Rock,” that I wanted to make sure to not overwhelm my readers with a novel of pictueres. So to break it up a bit, I thought I would just post a couple of pictoral posts about some of the rooms that were JUST AMAZING!! For more information about my visit, check out the FULL POST HERE. The “house” portion of this attraction is just as bizarre and crazy as the rest of the place! It contains 14 rooms, and I don’t know how I would ever feel comfortable in a home like this. Low ceilings, deep living spaces, slanted windows, staircases, and carpeted ceilings. Words don’t do it justice, just check out the pics below and enjoy!