Four Corners, Navajo Nation, USA

Leap year happens only once every four years. A state quadripoint happens only once, and that is where these four states meet. Recognize the flags? It it actually a sexapoint since two overlapping jurisdictions join the core four: the Navajo Nation and the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Don't approve of the word sexapoint? Feel free to use hexapoint. [2013]

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

Does Maryland make you Go Mad? Or, are you Going Mad because that jalopy won't make it up State House Hill? Or, are you Going Mad because you have to peddle up State House Hill? Or, are you Going Mad because of the antics of the legislators on State House Hill? [2018]

Brookings, South Dakota, USA

If it is June in Brookings, you can be sure to find the classic car show going on around the square and out in Pioneer Park. It's almost like reliving the giddy days of the post-war auto era. And, if you're really into reliving the 1960s, come back for Camaro Fun Days in August. [2007]

Alzada, Montana, USA

The sign you can't read says "Cheap Drinks Lousy Food." With a motto like that, the Stoneville Saloon might compete well in the suburbs of any American city, all of which feature bars with Expensive Drinks Lousy Food. [2019]

Tucumcari, New Mexico, USA

Route 66, which passed through New Mexico, wasn't just a ribbon of macadam. It was a string of pearls, only some of which, like the Blue Swallow Motel, have survived, along with a few vintage cars. This one looks like a Packard. What do you think? [2018]

Santa Monica, California, USA

Follow Historic Route 66 right down to the Santa Monica Pier. There it ends. Where does it begin? Chicago. The mother road provided Los Angeles with a mother load of migrants who soon turned it into the country's third, and then second, largest city. And, a different city it was. Left behind were all the norms that ruled the East. [2020]

New York, New York, USA

Manhattan's High Line (high = elevated; line = rail line) is popular in every season of the year. The industrial city's grit and grime have been replaced by the post-industrial city's gardens and greenery. (Brownery in winter!) Let's re-purpose even more elements of industrial landscapes so we can enjoy them today. [2020]

New York, New York, USA

He has spent his life delivering fabric to the fashion merchants along 39th Street in New York City. It's the center of the Garment District and an important contributor to New York City's role as one of the world's fashion capitals. [2020]

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]

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

"Own a piece of the sky."
Kiss the clouds as they fly by.
A condo on the 44th floor?
Only if you are not poor.
[2010]

Marbella, Spain

One torso.
Four feet.
Costa del Sol.
Can't be beat.
[2015]

Portsmouth, England, UK

Big boat, small boat,
Building and cloud.
But where are the sails?
Make that tall ship proud!
[2011]

Caye Caulker, Belize

Smile Please! Sorry, that was two days ago. But, the Caribbean island of Caye Caulker will surely put a smile on your face: sandy beaches, wind surfing, an underwater cave, conch and lobster, the Belize Barrier Reef not far offshore, and a water taxi connection to the mainland. [2015] P.S.: Look. I posted this same picture in 2016! A memorial to fading memory.

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Urbanization has typically wiped nature off the landscape, replacing it with buildings and boulevards. Now, the trend is toward "re-naturing" urban environments. The drive is not simply about aesthetics, it is also a step toward enhancing green infrastructure to combat climate change and put a smile on people's faces. [2016]

Mumbai, India

It's the day after Valentine's Day. Smile Please! If for no other reason than to show your beloved how much you appreciated all the attention you got yesterday. [2011]

Phoenix, Arizona, USA

The building here is still officially the capitol of Arizona even though not even one of the three branches of government operates out of it. So, is it really the state capitol? It does house the State Capitol Museum: Does that make it the capitol? One fact is easier to state with certainty: Arizona became the 48th state to join the union on this date in 1912. [2019]

St. George, Utah, USA

Where is the largest diamond in the world? On the roof of this Main Street jewelry store. What you are seeing is a heist in real time. That crane is being positioned to lift the behemoth right off its roost. After that it will be flown to Antwerp's Diamond District and turned into a million smaller diamonds. Or, maybe not. [2019]

Concord, New Hampshire, USA

That blue crane would be the perfect piece of equipment for (1) washing the windows on that apartment building, (2) re-gilding the New Hampshire state house dome, or (3) polishing the cross on top of St. Paul's Episcopal Church. [2018]

Milan, Italy

The clock tells 20th century time, and the building crane tells 21st century time. How could a building crane be a clock? The secret is in the definition of "gnomon": the upright piece on a sundial whose shadow tells the time. The green crane has an upright: a gnomon. It could be used to tell time. It isn't. But, it could be. [2008]

London, England, UK

Follow the dragon trail right across Europe. It begins in Colchis, land of the Golden Fleece. It wings its way thorough Slovenia, whose capital was founded by Jason. It ends in England with two dragons holding up the cross of St. George, which goes right back to the country we know today as Georgia. This is the official emblem of the City of London. [2009]

Tbilisi, Georgia

St. George slaying the dragon (slaying sin in the Christian tradition) stands in the center of Georgia's capital city. It's a national point of pride. Why? Because it all happened in Georgia. The dragon originally guarded the golden fleece in Colchis, and the fleece represented power and authority. Grab the fleece, and you become the ruler. [2015]

Ljubljana, Slovenia

Few people realize you can follow the dragon trail right across Europe. Here is one of the dragons in the middle of the continent, one of four fire-breathers on Ljubljana's Zmajski Bridge. Could this be the dragon-guardian of the Golden Fleece? Perhaps he followed Jason from Colchis to the site of Ljubljana and founded the city. Colchis was on the Black Sea. [2008]

Sioux Falls, South Dakota, USA

Two sad younglings help us wrap up the first week of February: Why so sad? They've been orphaned, and passers-by can hardly bear it. Sioux Falls has become famous for its annual sculpture walk, and our animal friends are usually popular subjects. [2007]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

Are they fighting or making up? It's February, so they must be making up. African elephants are distinguishable by their big ears. They are also known for their immense tusks, but these two have had them clipped, a common practice by zoos because tusks can be dangerous. [2019]

Omaha, Nebraska, USA

February is a young month, the 2nd of 12, and these 2 scarlet ibises are young birds. Their color will deepen as they get older and soon they will be indistinguishable from Valentine's Day hearts. In fact, soon they will be serving as ambassadors for American Heart Month. [2019]

Knoxville, Tennessee, USA

Two for two February: Perhaps it is time to mention that the white rhino is the 2nd largest land mammal (though Dolly and Polly seem rather dainty). Perhaps it's also time to mention that the white rhino (like yesterday's Arctic fox) fits February perfectly. The name of the month comes from Februa, the Roman purification ritual. White is the symbol of purity. [2019]

Ashboro, North Carolina, USA

It's the third day of the second month of third decade of the 21st century, but even though the number 3 has made an appearance, let's continue to celebrate the number 2! Why? Because it's still 02-2020. And, what better place to celebrate than at the zoo, with two Arctic foxes showing off their winter coats. In the summer, they turn gray. [2019]

Albuquerque, New Mexico, USA

It's the 2nd day of the 2nd month of 2020, so let's continue to celebrate the number 2! What better place to celebrate than at the zoo, with two black-tailed prairie dogs. Think of them as stand-ins for Palindromal Phil (known as Punxsutawny Phil except on 02/02/2020). They might have seen their shadow this morning, but Phil didn't. Spring's coming! [2017]

Providence, Rhode Island, USA

It's the second month of 2020, so let's celebrate the number 2! What better place to celebrate than at the zoo, with two aoudads. (You may remember their cousin in New Jersey.) If there were a contest to see which species could best represent North Africa, the aoudad would certainly be a contender. [2019]