In the late 1800s, gold rush fever swept the American frontier. Men hoping to get rich hunted for gold deposits on the outskirts of rugged mountain towns. One such town was Mystic, South Dakota—which is located in the shadow of the Black Hills. In 1879, Mystic—also known as Sitting Bull—had a population of 100 eager…
Wilsons Promontory National Park in Australia is home to a spooky, isolated island that resembles a giant skull from afar. Countless onlookers have been captivated by the large caverns, sheer cliffs, and overall eeriness of Cleft Island, which is often referred to as Skull Rock. Visitors can peer into the dark recesses of Skull Rock…
Jackson Hole, Wyoming certainly isn’t the sleepy mountain town that it once was. In recent decades, visitors from around the globe have flocked to Jackson Hole to enjoy the town’s rustic charm, unsurpassed scenic beauty, and close proximity to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Park. Jackson Hole may attract significantly larger crowds than it used…
Transylvania, Romania is best known for a menacing castle that was home to a fierce warrior and ruler named Vlad the Impaler. Vlad the Impaler ruled Transylvania in the mid-1400s. Locals view him as an avenging hero who drove away Saxon invaders. Descendants of the defeated Saxons have characterized Vlad the Impaler as a brutal…
The Dorset Marble Quarry—which holds the distinction of being the oldest marble quarry in America—was established in Vermont in 1785 to provide the burgeoning United States of America with stone for libraries, mansions, and other stately buildings. Marble from the quarry even found its way across the border to Montreal, Canada. The quarry thrived until…
Admirers of the Bluegrass State will happily tell you that Kentucky is home to some of the most breathtaking landscapes in the United States. Red River Gorge Geological Area—located inside of the Daniel Boone National Forest— is home to lively blooming plants, sandstone arches, and the robust Red River which is ideal for canoeing. If…
Egyptian culture and architecture has long captivated people around the world, including the ancient Romans. After the Romans took control of Egypt in 30 BC, countless aristocratic Romans began to build structures that were similar to those that they viewed in Egypt. A few pyramids even popped up in Rome—only one of which has survived…
Most people associate the city of Los Angeles with rows of palm trees, endless sunshine, and plenty of posh places to eat, drink, and be seen. Lots of folks are unaware that Los Angeles is also home to an ancient crude oil reserve that trapped countless plants and animals in its sticky pools. The La…
