Yesterday, we visited the John Gorrie State Museum to pay homage to the inventor of the ice machine, later recognized as an early step towards air conditioning. Thank you Dr Gorrie, every Phoenician salutes you!
This part of Florida sure loves ‘em some possum…
We visited Florida’s highest waterfall today. Definitely an unusual one—worth a quick stop!
Some additional photos
We missed the festival, but still stopped for the World’s Largest Peanut.
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!
