New posts gaining attention right now, refreshed from recent reader activity.
In the northern reaches of Canada, there is a remote island with terrain so rugged that it helps scientists prep for missions to Mars. Located in close proximity to Greenland, uninhabited Devon Island is believed to be the closest landscape on Earth to the Red Planet. Devon Island is freezing cold, dusty, and almost entirely…
Like most mid-sized cities, Rockford, Illinois is home to an art museum, a natural history museum, and a childrenβs museum. What visitors donβt expect is a quartet of 12-foot stone statues that have been likened to stone gladiators, petrified robots, and golems that will spring to life at any moment to defend the town of…
In the 1930s, a hunter named Douglas Herrick developed a keen interest in taxidermy. A jackrabbit pelt positioned next to a rack of antlers inspired Herrick to craft a mythical creature that would become a Wyoming legend. Herrick christened his creation a jackalope (one part jackrabbit, and one part antelope). Ever since Doug Herrick sold…
Flume Gorge may be perpetually popular, but a few hours spent surrounded by cascading water, moss-covered cliffs, and mysterious caves will make you glad that you braved the crowds. Located in Franconia Notch State Park near Lincoln, New Hampshire, Flume Gorge offers easily accessible panoramic views. Flume Gorge charges a moderate entry fee. It is…
The owners, Steve and Wanda Wile have backgrounds in real estate and decided in early 2021 they needed a change and wanted to create a “happy place” for everyone, so, the idea of The Groovy Zoo emerged. At dinner one evening we drew a rendering of how we wanted The Zoo to appear on a…
Nagoro is a slowly shrinking village tucked into the steep valleys of Shikoku in Tokushima Prefecture. Technically part of the remote Higashi-Iya area of Miyoshi City, the region is promoted locally as βSky Village β Scarecrow Village.β According to the official Miyoshi City Tourism site, Nagoro sits deep inside the legendary Iya Valley β one…