Author: Paul

Author Paul R. Wonning considers himself an "Indiana Hound," because he likes to "sniff" out the interesting places and history of Indiana and then use his books to reveal them to his readers. He also enjoys gardening, American history and dabbles in writing fantasy and humorous fiction.
Sample Chapter, Travels Across America

Sample Chapter – Traveling to Bryson City

As November, 2015 approached my wife and I discussed what we would like to do to celebrate our coming wedding anniversary. We decided upon an expedition we had often talked about before, a ride on the Great Smoky Mountains Railroad. So, we made arrangements and traveled to Bryson City on November 6, 2015 to take a ride on the rails. We stayed at the Microtel Inn on Songbird Forest Road, just off US Highway 74. Potential riders to the area will find other lodging options in Bryson City; however, we chose this one because it was convenient. The room had a microwave, refrigerator and the hotel offers a continental breakfast in the morning. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Traveling to Bryson City

Travels Across America

The Alaska Chronicles – Our Alaskan Cruise Adventure

The Hawaiian Chronicles – Our Hawaiian Adventures serves as both a journal of our Hawaiian cruise adventure and as a guide of the various types of cruises available for visitors to tour our 50th State. It is possible for vacationers to tour all of the major islands on a single, seven-day journey. This guide does not attempt to cover all of the destination to visit on the islands. The Hawaiian Chronicles – Our Hawaiian Adventures lists the major cruise lines and the types of cruises they offer. Contact information for the cruise lines is included in the book. Continue reading The Alaska Chronicles – Our Alaskan Cruise Adventure

Sample Chapter, Travels Across America

Sample Chapter – Chapter title – Day One – Anchorage

The Alaskan cruise was several months in the planning, with help from my brother and his wife, who are travel agents. Once the cruise date was set it required several days planning the excursions we would take. There are several planned excursions available from the cruise line and we did take advantage of a couple of these. However, we like to see things at our on pace and on our own schedule. Therefore, I printed out maps and planned itineraries. I made rental car arrangements for the various ports on the internet. Continue reading Sample Chapter – Chapter title – Day One – Anchorage

Sample Chapter, Timeline of United States History

Sample Chapter – Chapter title – April 18, 1775 – Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Leaders of the colonial resistance belonging to the Boston Committee of Correspondence and the Massachusetts Committee of Safety had heard reports of the British plans to move against Lexington. The groups had hired Paul Revere to act as a messenger to carry letters back and forth between colonial leaders in various locations around Boston. One of the leaders contacted Revere on the evening of the 18th and told him that British troops were on the move and he should ride to Lexington to warn the leaders that were staying there that the British were on the march. Since colonial leaders had alre Continue reading Sample Chapter – Chapter title – April 18, 1775 – Midnight Ride of Paul Revere

Sample Chapter, Timeline of United States History

Sample Chapter – First of the Colonist’s Advocate Letters

Benjamin Franklin resided in London during the turbulent years from 1764 through 1775. From his perch in the English capital, he watched as relations between England and her North American colonies unraveled. Initially sent to persuade the King to transform Pennsylvania from a proprietary colony to a royal one, he spent much of his time trying to persuade the English parliament to repeal the Stamp Act, and later the Townshend duties. His testimony before Parliament in January 1766 probably played a role in Parliament’s repeal of the hated Stamp Act. Continue reading Sample Chapter – First of the Colonist’s Advocate Letters

Timeline of United States History

Colonial American History Stories – 1753 – 1763

Colonial American History Stories – 1753 – 1763 contains almost 300 history stories presented in a timeline that begins in 1755 with the hanging of the Liberty Bell and ends with the Treaty of Paris that ended the French and Indian War. This journal of historical events mark the beginnings of the United States and serve as a wonderful guide of American history. Continue reading Colonial American History Stories – 1753 – 1763

Timeline of United States History

Colonial American History Stories – 1665 – 1753

Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664 contains almost 300 history stories presented in a timeline that begins in 1655 with the performance of the first documented play performed in British North America and ends with the switch from the Julian to the Gregorian Calendar in 1752. This journal of historical events mark the beginnings of the United States and serve as a wonderful guide of American history. Continue reading Colonial American History Stories – 1665 – 1753

Sample Chapter, Timeline of United States History

Sample Chapter – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day

September 21, 1621 – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day
Thanksgiving feasts were a common practice for the European settlers and their native neighbors. It was tradition for the Europeans to set aside days of thanksgiving. They celebrated for a bountiful harvest, drought-ending rains or other providential events. These events did not have any connection with their worship service. They were set during week and commonly involved fasting beforehand. After the fasting, they would have one or several days of celebratory feasting. The Indians had similar traditions. They had thanksgiving celebrations sporadically throughout the year for special events. Thus, both peoples had traditions of this type of celebration. Continue reading Sample Chapter – The Earliest Possible Date for the First Thanksgiving Day

Timeline of United States History

Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664

Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664 contains almost 300 history stories presented in a timeline that begins in 1215 with the signing of the Magna Carta to the printing of the first Bible in Colonial America in 1664. This journal of historical events mark the beginnings of the United States and serve as a wonderful guide of American history. Continue reading Colonial American History Stories – 1215 – 1664