Virgin, Utah, USA

Here is the type of covered wagon that served settlers moving westward from the prairies. It amounted to a farm wagon outfitted with a cover. In fact, you wouldn't even call it a covered wagon if you grew up in Pennsylvania. An authentic one had to come from the Conestoga area of Lancaster County; hence, the name Conestoga wagon. [2019]

Big Springs, Nebraska, USA

With one exception, wheels created Big Springs. First came wagon wheels (think: Oregon Trail). Then came steam-train wheels (think: spring water). Then came automobile wheels (think: Lincoln Highway). So, what's the exception? The Pony Express (think: hoofs, not wheels). [2019]

Annapolis, Maryland, USA

In Pennsylvania, it would be called the capitol. In Maryland, it is always called the state house. In Pennsylvania, you would be laughed at if you called that a dome. In Maryland, they brag about having the largest wooden dome in the country. But, today, it is all about Maryland: Happy 232nd birthday! [2018 and 2002]

Atlanta, Georgia, USA

Like its box-car cousin, this may be a bridge and it may be covered, but it does not qualify as a covered bridge if you apply the standards of the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges. Yet, this kind of covered bridge has become a part of every large city in the world even though most are not as high as those in Peachtree Center. [2020]

Williams, Arizona, USA

Would you call this a covered bridge? Yes: It is a bridge and it is covered. No: It is neither wooden nor authentic. Remember how the National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges sees it. Real covered bridges must be built of wood using authentic materials and skills. This may be an authentic box car, but certainly not an authentic bridge. [2019]

Loysville, Pennsylvania, USA

Adairs Covered Bridge, like all covered bridges in the world, has its own unique number: 38-50-04#2. The National Society for the Preservation of Covered Bridges assigns the numbers and keeps track of the nation's authentic, wooden covered bridges. The #2 at the end tells you that Adairs has been rebuilt using traditional materials and skills. [2018]

Charleston, South Carolina, USA

What was life like before coronavirus? Here's a picture that may be seen nostalgically five years from now. But... but... They aren't standing six feet apart and they aren't wearing masks. These Civil Air Patrol cadets are on their way to see where the CW began? What will we preserve to show where the other CW began? [2008]

Sierra Vista, Arizona, USA

In contrast to the history of drive-in restaurants, the history of drive-throughs is poorly documented. What we can say is that the first McDonald's with drive-through service was in Sierra Vista. The restaurant served Fort Huachuca during an era when soldiers were not allowed to go in anywhere off base while wearing their work duds. The year was 1975. [2018]

Hollywood East, California, USA

When it comes to the names of our favorite burger joints: No judgment! After all, you can't argue with success, even though southern California does not seem like a place where people would admit liking Fatburgers. Perhaps part of the appeal is their convenient drive-through window. Where did that originate? [2020]

Wilshire, Ohio, USA

Drive-in restaurants date back to 1921, well before drive-through pick-up lanes. Whether this is a real drive-in, though, is questionable. It doesn't appear they will send a waiter out to the car. Then, again, in the decades after World War II, all custard stands called themselves drive-ins. [2018]

Bisbee, Arizona, USA

That hot dog is even higher than the sign. So, if you are heading down the highway, you are able to make a decision to "Eat Here" well before you actually get to the restaurant. Remember, though, you will have to go inside: There is no drive-thru. [2018]

New York, New York, USA

This is what Herald Square looked like exactly two months ago. The sun was still low on the horizon and temperatures were in the 40s. Exactly one month ago, spring arrived and temperatures started to climb. Now, one month after the vernal equinox, what do you think Herald Square looks like? [2020]

New Delhi, India

No social distancing is evident here. In fact, even three months ago, no one knew what social distancing was. Now, we realize how gregarious the human species is. What we are learning is how to sustain community without propinquity. Around the world, including Connaught Place in New Delhi, social norms are changing: How permanently, we shall see. [2011]

Amsterdam, Netherlands

xx basilica

You arrive at Amsterdam Centraal anticipating picturesque canals and canal houses. Your hopes are high and you are ready to be astounded. Then, into view sweeps the Dutch Golden Age, a picture postcard from the 17th century, punctuated by three exclamation points from the 19th century, the three spires on the Basilica of St. Nicholas. Astounding! [2015]

Waiheke Island, Auckland, New Zealand

With these words John Donne proclaimed the value of community: "No man is an island entire of it self; every man is a piece of the Continent, a part of the main." Now, the corona virus has re-framed that perspective: Each of us is an island, a family island at best. Continents have broken apart, and connections to the main have broken down. [2006]

Caye Caulker, Belize

Real islands are accessible only by ferry. And, being on a real island always gives you a chance to re-frame the world. This year, though, we don't need a Caribbean isle to give us the island experience. This year, each home has become an island unto itself, with ferry connections limited to work or the grocery store. [2015]

Bath, England, UK

Face masks are on everyone's mind.
That's 'cause they are hard to find.
So, to those with fingers nimble,
to those armed with thread and thimble,
go forth and find some fabric simple,
fabric enough to cover each dimple,
mouth, nose, and pimple.
But, why must masks be so plain?
Floral prints would be much less mundane!
[2015]

Sparks, Georgia, USA

Roadside Sermons for Easter Week: "The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26. An Old Testament verse never seemed so apt than on this particular Easter Monday. [2012]

Hopwood, Pennsylvania, USA

Roadside Sermons for Easter Week: The Lord is risen. "He is Risen indeed." Christians engage in this exchange every Easter Sunday. It's from Luke 24:34. Let's keep the tradition alive even if we can't meet under one roof this year. Happy Resurrection Day! [2013]

Kokomo, Indiana, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "I am the Way, the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6) There are 31,102 verses in the Bible, and this verse is in the top five. It delivers a central truth of Christianity: "Know Jesus, Know God; No Jesus, No God." That's the way it gets translated into popular culture. [2018]

Summerville, South Carolina, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "Our Sin Killed Jesus! '. . . while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.' - Romans 5:8." That is really a little harsh, but perhaps a good message for Good Friday, the day of the crucifixion. [2012]

Heflin, Alabama, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death." That's the very reason churches have so many covered dish dinners. Add a speaker and you have a perfect trifecta: food for the body, food for the soul, and food for the mind. It's also a perfect justification for church food pantries during times of trouble: like now! [2018]

Tollesboro, Kentucky, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "Let Jesus come into your heart. Read Revelatian [sic] 3:20." Don't just read it as you pass by, sing it! "Into my heart, into my heart. Come into my heart Lord Jesus. Come in today, come in to stay. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus." Once you sing it, you will never forget it! [2010]

Tifton, Georgia, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "Pray Without Ceasing." (1 Thessalonians 5:17) It's a tall order, but don't get so uptight about it. What you may not realize is that we can all pray while we are doing other things. Just keeping the well-being of others in our thoughts is a form of praying. If we didn't believe that, we would all be in monasteries. [2012]

Jonesville, Virginia, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die," (Ezekiel 18:4) On first reading, it sounds far too reminiscent of the "fire and brimstone" era of Christian preaching. But, there's an optimistic message here too: We will not die or be punished for the sins of others, including our parents and children. [2012]

Wilson, North Carolina, USA

Roadside Sermons for Holy Week: Read the sign and tell us what is missing. "You Are." In fact, we all are this Palm Sunday, thanks to the corona virus. In normal times, we would all be singing "Crown Him With Many Crowns." But, right now it is crowns we are afraid of: Did you know the words corona and crown come from the same Latin root? [2018]

Jerusalem, Israel

Holy Week begins tomorrow. But, the original Holy Week began here, outside the old city walls of Jerusalem. Today, the site is totally enclosed by the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. The church's small dome covers the site of the crucifixion and the large dome covers the site of the resurrection. [2010]

Koper, Slovenia

If you take only a quick look at Slovenia on a map, you might conclude it is landlocked. Not so. A finger of Slovenian territory projects south to the Adriatic Sea, where the seaport city of Koper is located. It's only five miles from the Italian border, so don't be surprised if Italian is heard almost as often as Slovenian. [2008]

Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Views in every direction from the Sydney Tower are spectacular, including the one across Garden Island to Bradley's Head Lighthouse. The harbor is serrated by a series of peninsulas, and ample blue space tempts tons of sailboats into action. [2006]

Amsterdam, Netherlands

You just don't deserve to be a photographer at all if you have to be told: "Take a picture!" But, a little bit of foolishness is appropriate for a toy store. And, speaking of foolishness, Happy April Fools' Day! Hey you guys ignoring the sign, "Ik zag je auto worden weggesleept." [2015]