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.
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.
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!
Checked out Folklore Brewing this evening. Not great, but not bad.
A motto for so many of our road trips these days—especially this one. 🤪
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.
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).
The Smallest City Block in the World (allegedly), here in Dothan, Alabama.
Reflection of the ruins of St Paul’s Church in Macau - from OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.
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!
Hong Kong’s Victoria Harbor at night - OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.
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.
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.
Hong Kong bamboo scaffolding - OTD from last year’s 100-day adventure.
Liberty Square Archway and the Chiang Kai-Shek Memorial Hall in Taipei, Taiwan - OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.
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!
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.
November 2025 in 10 photos
It’s that time again—another month in the books. Here was my November 2025 in 10 photos:
More cardiology appointments, and hopefully, a long-term solution on its way: I’m set for ablation surgery in mid-December. I can’t wait to get back to normal.
A birthday walk in the mountains, after finally getting the go-ahead to do some light hiking. Boy did I need some time on dirt!
And a big ass birthday beer pour at AZ Wilderness Brewing. I’ve never made it down for this special 52 ounce pour reserved for one’s birthday, so it was fun to finally do it, especially with several friends.
Friendsgiving - an annual event with some good friends.
ASU Football, as seen through Becci’s glasses. I think this marks 12 years that she’s been on my season ticket account.
Coffeeneuring with Jen
More ebike adjustments and accessories, this time while watching some football after finally getting a working antenna for our tv. Long live free broadcast television!
I managed to diagnose and fix our broken washing machine!
Visited with my mom several times this month, including this coffeeneuring stop. We also hosted her for Thanksgiving dinner.
Pregame tailgating, as I completed my 39th year as an ASU season ticket holder. Our team was held together with duct tape this year, but it was fun to spend pre- and post-game with these folks (and a number of others not in the photo).
Watching the Duel in the Desert at some ungodly hour while sick in bed in Taiwan - OTD during last year’s 100-day adventure.
If you’ve followed along on our misadventures in replacing our windows and getting shutters, you may recall that the entire fiasco was to finally end today, with the installation of the delayed shutters and the 5th (and final) attempt to fix the window install.
Welp, we’re on to round 6 in 3 weeks.