Cuba, Kansas, USA

What is the most produced staple crop in the world? Corn. Don't yawn! Only a few decades ago rice held that honor. Think: the mega-populations of China, Southeast Asia, and India. In fact, rice may still hold that honor if you consider that 45% of corn goes to the production of ethanol for powering internal combustion engines. [2009]

Rifle, Colorado, USA

"Ride our trails": This ersatz mural is an attempt to expand the town's economic base: from cattle ranching into tourism. What's it got going for it? Scenery along the Colorado River, an extensive system of trails and parks, and access from an Interstate that leads to Denver. What works against it? A rather threatening name. [2013]

Tangier Island, Virginia, USA

Crabbing is a way of life on Tangier Island. And lessons learned come early. Growing up on Tangier means learning how to work the water. These two boys, plus dad, have just netted half a bushel of crabs, with three peelers singled out for special attention. See below. [2022]

York, Pennsylvania, USA

Baseball season began over the week-end. Let's hope the York Revolution is ready. Revolution? Quite apropos when you consider that York was briefly the capital of the united States of America during the Revolutionary War. And, kudos to city artists for noticing that the siamese parking meters are shaped like the Y in York. [2014]

Helena, Montana, USA

In the background: Helena's history. In the foreground: Helena's future. The former: motionless and without life. The latter: high energy and on the move. Yet, the past as portrayed on the wall seems to offer many windows and platforms from which to watch the future take form. [2020]

Hatteras Village, North Carolina, USA

Kayaks for rent, but not this time of year. They are on their winter break, and their only duty is to pretty-up a fabled island on the Outer Banks, an island where it is difficult to find anything open in January and February. Why should kayak be one of your favorite words? Because it's a palindrome. [2019]

Haleiwa, Hawaii, USA

Odds and Evens, Ones and Twos, Singles and Doubles, Which one be You? Here is one surfer with two assists: a shortboard and a kite. Is he going wind surfing or kite surfing? The setting: Oahu's North Shore, one of the premier destinations for all surf sports. [2011]

Williamsburg, Virginia, USA

Loveworks Connect: O! It's Dog Biscuit Appreciation Day. Paws [sic] and enjoy it. Better bone up on disc golf, though. It is something you can play with your dog at Waller Mill Park. [2021]
 

New Kent, Virginia, USA

 

Loveworks Connect: New Kent County is a fair way from the urban populations of Richmond and Tidewater, but it is located on I-64, which has well positioned it for such genteel activities as golf. Yet, probably no one in New Kent realizes that today is the anniversary of the the first golf drive on the surface of the moon, in 1971 by Alan Shepard. [2021]

Waynesboro, Virginia, USA

Loveworks Connect: Nobody was more in favor of daily constitutionals than Saint L.L. Bean, whose love of the outdoors continues to inspire users of Waynesboro's Constitution Park and settings like this all over the country. He died (in Maine) on this day in 1967. Did you know that saints' days are observed on the day of death, not the day of birth? [2017]

Copperhill, Tennessee, USA

How would you gauge the risk of contracting coronavirus on the Ocoee River? Apparently these healthy-looking folks think they will be fine. They are outdoors, the sun in shining, the air is moving, and all the small groups number under ten. But some are not respecting the six-foot rule, nor are they wearing masks. [2020]

Ocoee, Tennessee, USA

What's wrong with this picture? They are not wearing masks, they are not social distancing, and they are not staying home. But they are keeping their numbers under 10! How would you gauge the risk? Have you heard of any Covid clusters caused by whitewater rafting? [2020]

Bryson City, North Carolina, USA

"Then something Tookish woke up inside him, and he wished to go and see the great [smoky] mountains, and hear the pine-trees and the waterfalls, and explore the caves, and wear a sword instead of a walking-stick." Whoever wrote that must have had two middle names or been to Toms Branch Falls. Let's all be a little Tookish! [2020]

Savage Neck, Virginia, USA

Whether you are running, biking, swimming, or kayaking, Adventure Races require discipline and stamina, the very qualities that got you this far in life. To you and all those born during the "birth dearth" of the mid-1970s: Happy Birthday! [2007]

Huntington Beach, California, USA

Beach volleyball originated in California, where the offshore waters were too cold for swimming because of the south-flowing California current. With limited  options for water sports (read: surfing with a wet suit), something had to fill the vacuum. Thus, volleyball on the beach: now an Olympic sport. [2020]

Huntington Beach, California, USA

Here be boys playing ball.

Better sports than boisterous brawl.

Each one of four, a partner has,

Analog images all crossing paths.

Total: eight. But only four

Will leave the shore. 

At end of day, at end of play, 

The analogs will fade away.

No echo of an: "Oh, please stay."

No! Brother Sol must have his way.

[2020]

Huntington Beach, California, USA

What is Huntington's nickname? Surf City. Largely as a result of the city's relative location, ocean swells are swell all year long. To the north, the coastline falls in the wave-energy shadow of the Channel Islands. Huntington lies just beyond that shadow and benefits from the refraction of waves around San Clemente and Santa Catalina. [2020]

Reston, Virginia, USA

Lake Anne, a community built around a village center, was the first neighborhood developed in the new town of Reston. Today, we take mixed-use zoning for granted, but in the 1960s single-use zoning was at its height, and Reston offered an alternative to the isolated and under-served dormitories that took over after World War II. [2016]

Lake Anne Center in 1970

New York, New York, USA

The Bryant Park ice rink will be closing for the season soon, but right now you can skate for free in the middle of Manhattan. Just pretend the early morning chores are done, the pond has frozen over, and all the kids from surrounding farms will be there, too. How many other rural amenities in urban settings can you list? [2020]

Santa Monica, California, USA

The original Muscle Beach in Santa Monica attracts gymnasts from all over LA. Some, in fact, are stunt doubles keeping fit and agile. Others are just giving their sons something to look up to. Think climbing a rope is easy? Try it sometime. [2020]