∞

This part of Florida sure loves ‘em some possum…

Big red letters spelling JOY stand in front of a sign welcoming visitors to the Wausau Possum Festival in Washington County.A stone monument with a carved scene and engraved text is surrounded by a fence and benches.A granite monument is engraved with text honoring the role of the North American possum and the Vasanta Community Development Club in Florida.A sign describes the America250FL Road Trip and highlights Washington County's history and the Wausau Possum Festival in Florida.

∞

We visited Florida’s highest waterfall today. Definitely an unusual one—worth a quick stop!

Some additional photos

A brown informational sign describes the Falling Waters Sinkholes, a natural feature formed by limestone solution, with details about the notable Falling Waters Sink. Auto-generated description: A small waterfall cascades through a lush, autumnal forest with vibrant red and orange foliage. Auto-generated description: A waterfall cascades over a rocky cliff surrounded by lush greenery.

∞

We missed the festival, but still stopped for the World’s Largest Peanut.

A large sign for the National Peanut Festival is displayed next to a giant peanut sculpture.A large peanut sculpture stands on a landscaped base surrounded by small bushes under a cloudy sky.

∞

When you come across a place called Museum of Wonder, billed as the “World’s First Drive-Thru Museum,” which boasts free admission no less—well, you’ve gotta stop, right? I still have no idea what the hell this place was about, but we drove thru it anyway.

A drive-thru museum made from brightly painted shipping containers is set up among tall trees, featuring bold text and quirky designs.A silver trailer with red-trimmed windows serves as a drive-thru for the Museum of Wonder, showcasing various intriguing objects inside.A red drive-thru with large, bold lettering is composed of shipping containers, featuring a graphic on the side and a gravel path for vehicles.A quirky exhibit features mounted deer heads, colorful signs with curious text, and a preserved object in a glass case.A collection of various objects, including shells, notes, and a jar, is displayed under a colorful, artistic backdrop with text and a black-and-white photograph.A quirky, eclectic collection features vintage circus memorabilia, including a skeleton painting, masks, a ventriloquist dummy, and various curiosities displayed on shelves.Sculptures and large red spheres are displayed outdoors in front of red shipping containers and a tree.

∞

We visited the 200 replica Terra Cotta Soldiers at Troy University, the largest such collection outside of China. They were arranged in various groupings around a nice little pond and park, complete with interpretative panels. Not quite the same as the original, I presume, but a fun stop anyway.

Rows of ancient warrior statues are standing outdoors, surrounded by trees.Eight sculptures resembling ancient warriors are arranged in two rows in an outdoor setting with a sign that reads KEEP OFF STATUES.Rows of large, stone warrior statues reminiscent of the Terracotta Army stand outdoors surrounded by trees.Several large stone statues of soldiers, resembling the Terracotta Army, stand in formation amidst a forested background.A serene pond reflects the surrounding buildings and trees on a cloudy day in a landscaped park area.

∞

We started the day at the National Infantry Museum. Military museums aren’t really my thing, but they’re always very well done, and this one was no different. There were hundreds of new soldiers wandering around, and that always adds a bit more to the experience. May they never see combat!

A large building with a dome and columns stands at the end of a paved walkway, surrounded by a grassy area.A statue of a soldier in a dynamic pose stands on a pedestal, adorned with a wreath and red ribbon.A museum exhibit depicts a World War I trench scene with artifacts and displays along the walls.A museum exhibit displays detailed dioramas of soldiers in a wartime setting with sandbags and mountainous terrain.

∞

Checked out Folklore Brewing this evening. Not great, but not bad.

A flight of four beers is displayed on a bar with Christmas decorations and a brewery taproom in the background.
∞

A motto for so many of our road trips these days—especially this one. 🤪

A red-framed roadside sign displays the message: I don't know where I'm a going but I'm on my way.
∞

I finally made it to the infamous Boll Weevil Monument in Enterprise, Alabama.

It’s the only monument erected to an agricultural pest! Weird, right? But the tragedy shifted the local economy from cotton to peanuts. And the boll weevil became a revered symbol of turning disaster into opportunity.

A MOTHAFUCKIN BOLL WEEVIL statue surrounded by festive decorations stands in the center of a small, decorated town square with various shops in the background.A small cityscape features a roundabout with a festive, decorated statue of a MOTHAFUCKIN BOLL WEEVIL, a mural on a brick building, and an Italian restaurant called Cafe Roma.A mural depicting an agricultural scene with a farmer, crops, and large peanuts serves as the backdrop for two parked cars on a street.

∞

Dothan’s Golden Peanut - there are no fewer than 100 peanut sculptures to find in Dothan and surrounding communities (yes, of course I have the list).

A large, golden peanut sculpture is displayed outdoors in front of a building, surrounded by neatly trimmed bushes.
∞

The Smallest City Block in the World (allegedly), here in Dothan, Alabama.

A granite marker commemorates the smallest city block in the world in front of a stop sign, with wet streets and buildings visible in the background.A dimly lit street corner features a triangular patch of grass with a stone marker displaying inscriptions, set against a backdrop of buildings and a wet road, accented by a stop sign.

∞

Reflection of the ruins of St Paul’s Church in Macau - from OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.

A window reflection shows the ruins of a historical structure adorned with colorful presents and flowers at its base.
∞

Today is our 10-year anniversary. Over that time, Jen & I have visited:

  • 5 continents
  • 55 countries
  • 50 states
  • 5 US territories
  • 277 national park units
  • 300+ craft breweries
  • 1,268 US counties

…together—requiring 150 flights and 100s + 100s of nights away from home.

That’s a helluva first decade!

A man and a woman are smiling for a selfie in front of a large white vehicle with multiple windows parked on a brick road.
∞

Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor at night - OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.

A traditional junk boat with red sails floats on water against a backdrop of brightly lit city skyscrapers at night.
∞

Our third attempt at a brewery after landing in Georgia found us at Scofflaw Brewing in Columbus, with dinner from Moe’s BBQ next door.

A brewery entrance with a sign reading Scofflaw Brewing Co. and people gathered inside.Two cups of beer sit on a table in front of a graffiti-style wall with the word SCOFFLAW.A plastic cup filled with beer from Scofflaw Brewing Co. is placed on a reflective surface with a small, decorated Christmas tree and a brewing setup in the background.A meal consisting of pulled pork with barbecue sauce, pickles, macaroni and cheese, toasted bread, and drinks in plastic cups is set on a table at Scofflaw Brewing Co.

∞

Another installment of *Always Choose the Window Seat*

It’s always fun to fly over the Lower Salt River, our summer oasis on the edge of Phoenix. Here’s what my paddling stretch looks like, from west to east.

The first shot shows Granite Reef Dam, where some of the river is funneled into canals that feed the Valley. The Central Arizona Canal crosses here too. Red Mountain is the prominent red butte. I only occasionally paddle this last 3-mile section, preferring to end at the parking lot near the far right of the photo—the Phon D Sutton Rec Area, at the confluence with the Verde River coming in from the north.

The next two photos show the river course leading back to Saguaro Lake. This stretch is about 11 miles. My put-in spot is just downstream of the dam, right as the road curves west (left).

The final photo is a bonus: it’s Roosevelt Lake, the original impoundment of the Salt River that gave rise to Metro Phoenix. You can see the Salt River entering from the bottom right corner of the shot. The reservoir is one of four—Roosevelt, Apache, Canyon, and Saguaro—along the Salt River.

An aerial view showcases an expansive landscape with mountains, a winding river, and arid terrain.An aerial view shows a vast landscape with rugged terrain, winding roads, and a river, partially seen below an airplane wing.An aerial view shows a vast, mountainous desert landscape with a winding river and a distant reservoir, partially obscured by an airplane wing.Aerial view of a mountainous region showing Mount McDowell, Usery Mountain, Lone Mountain, Dome Mountain, and Stewart Mountain, with several roads and a labeled body of water called Saguaro Lake.Aerial view of a winding river or reservoir amid mountainous terrain with an airplane wing visible in the top right corner.

∞

Hong Kong bamboo scaffolding - OTD from last year’s 100-day adventure.

A building under construction or renovation is surrounded by bamboo scaffolding in an urban setting.
∞

Liberty Square Archway and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan - OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.

A grand archway with intricately designed architecture stands centered in a spacious plaza under a clear blue sky.
∞

Had an impromptu breakfast with a buddy this morning, and decided we should do a quick hike afterwards. It’s been awhile since I’ve been to Pima Canyon at South Mountain Park & Preserve. A major benefit of Phoenix life is that we were at the trailhead maybe 6 mins later. Nice to get outside!

A desert landscape features saguaro scattered across rocky terrain under a clear blue sky.A desert landscape features rocky terrain, sparse vegetation, and a clear blue sky.A desert landscape features sparse vegetation, rolling hills, and clear blue skies—with a view of Tempe in the distance.

∞

Thanks to Justin Searls for releasing POSSE Party, which will crosspost your blog posts to a bunch of social media platforms—freeing you from their grips without severing your friendships. It’s a free, self-hosted (docker-based) app, worth of your attention.