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The Free Ferries Still Running In America
Eight US ferries still charge nothing to ride, including New York's Staten Island Ferry, Texas's Galveston-Port Bolivar route, and Wisconsin's Merrimac Ferry.
The Bridges You Can Walk Across From One State To Another
Not every state line is marked by a roadside sign. Six bridges let pedestrians cross rivers, stand in two states, and walk alongside passing trains.
The Lake Powell Marinas That Have Closed Because Of Low Water
Low water on Lake Powell in Utah has shut Dangling Rope and Hite marinas, towed Bullfrog's docks to deeper water, and left the Charles Hall Ferry idle.
The American Counties With No Public Transit At All
These US counties lack traditional bus routes, relying instead on small bus routes as a means of connecting rural communities.
The Largest Squid Ever Filmed
A squid surfaced off Japan on a fishing line, giving scientists rare footage of a living giant. Then an Antarctic heavyweight entered the picture.
9 Most Peaceful Small Towns In The Northern United States
Nine small towns across the Northern United States, from Skaneateles, New York to Saugatuck, Michigan, where lakes, forests, and harbors keep the pace slow.
8 Oregon Towns Perfect For A Fresh Start
In Oregon, a fresh start might lead to a former gold rush town, a medical hub, or a working port, where home prices can be the biggest surprise.
5 US Rivers With The Most Copperheads
Copperheads are commonly seen in West Virginia’s New River Gorge, were radio-tracked in Kentucky’s Red River Gorge, and are Missouri’s top venomous snake.
The Day The Teton Dam Burst
Idaho's Teton Dam failed as it first filled in June 1976, flooding Wilford, Sugar City, and Rexburg, killing 11 people, and prompting a new dam safety law.
These Lakeside Towns On Lake Champlain Deserve A Long Weekend
From Burlington and Shelburne in Vermont to Essex and Ticonderoga in New York, these Lake Champlain towns make an easy long weekend of history and lake views.
The American Mountains Where Copperheads Den For The Winter
Copperheads are heading into their winter dens. See the American mountains where they hole up, including Connecticut’s ridges and Illinois’ Snake Road bluffs.
Where Coral Snakes Live In The United States
Where Coral Snakes Live In The United States spans the sandy Southeast, eastern Texas, and the Arizona desert, home to three shy but venomous species.
Papuan Taipan
Papuan Taipan venom ranks among the most toxic of any land snake, and this fast hunter of southern New Guinea can strike several times in quick succession.
The American Town Where Wi-Fi Is Banned For Radio Astronomy
These days, prioritizing anything beyond wi-fi service is rare. But in one American town, radio astronomy takes precedence.
Who Were The Huns?
While the Huns can’t purely be blamed for the collapse of the Western Roman Empire, they certainly weakened it and made its fall in 476 CE more likely.
The Biggest Myths About Ancient Egypt
Ancient Egypt myths, corrected: paid laborers built the pyramids, Tutankhamun was a minor king, and Cleopatra was Greek rather than ethnically Egyptian.
National Parks And Monuments You’ve Seen In The Movies
Tatooine is Death Valley, the mothership landed by Devils Tower, and the road to the Overlook Hotel runs through Glacier. All are still open to visitors.
The 10 Tallest Mountains East Of The Mississippi
The 10 Tallest Mountains East Of The Mississippi all rise near the North Carolina-Tennessee line, led by Mount Mitchell in the rugged Black Mountains.
The Real Places Behind Panem In Sunrise on the Reaping
The 50th Hunger Games arena is a glacial valley in Asturias. The Capitol is a Berlin airfield, District 12 a Ruhr ironworks, and you can walk into all three.
10 Underrated North Carolina Towns Worth the Drive in 2026
From mountain trails to pickle festivals, these 10 underrated North Carolina towns offer historic landmarks, local culture, and coastal escapes.
Why Coyotes Are Showing Up In Big Cities
Why Coyotes Are Showing Up In Big Cities comes down to food, cover, and safety, which help thousands of coyotes thrive in Chicago and Los Angeles.
Which Moon Rains Methane?
Titan, Saturn's largest moon, has methane rain, rivers, and seas. Learn how its weather cycle mirrors Earth's and what Cassini and Huygens revealed.
The Roman Cities Buried Under The Sahara
The Roman empire expanded well beyond Europe, finding its way into a broad swathe of North Africa. Here are the Roman cities buried beneath the Sahara.
The Lowest Mountain Range In The United States
The Lowest Mountain Range In The United States is New Jersey’s Watchungs, low basalt ridges built by ancient lava that sheltered George Washington’s army.
In Seoraksan National Park Staircases Pierce The Clouds
Steel staircases climb to Daecheongbong, South Korea's third-highest summit, in a park that also holds Sinheungsa Temple, Ulsanbawi Rock and ribbon waterfalls
How Far North Tarantulas Live
How Far North Tarantulas Live. Long winters stop these slow-growing spiders in southern Colorado and Spain, not at the Missouri River as folklore claims.
Why Mercury Has Ice Even Though It’s Closest To The Sun
Mercury reaches 800°F by day, yet water ice survives in permanently shadowed craters near its poles, as NASA's MESSENGER spacecraft confirmed from orbit.
The Real History Behind The Battle Of Thermopylae
The Battle of Thermopylae in Greece pitted Leonidas against Xerxes in 480 BCE. Here is who really fought in the pass and how it shaped the Greco-Persian Wars.
What Did Roman Soldiers Do When They Weren't Fighting?
Roman soldiers spent much of their time training, building roads and forts, and gambling, and their role shifted from the Republic to the late Empire.
The Longest Mountain Range In The United States
The Rockies run some 3,000 miles from British Columbia to New Mexico, crossing six western states and feeding the Colorado, Rio Grande and Missouri.
The Last Coal Plants Still Running In America
US coal plants still produce about 17% of America's electricity. These are the plants and states that still mine coal, and why some closures are delayed.
Why The Moon Looks Bigger On The Horizon
The Moon Illusion makes a rising moon look oversized, though photos show its width barely changes. Here is what scientists know, and what is still debated.
How Far The Appalachians Run Compared To The Alps
The Appalachians run about 2,000 miles to the Alps' 750, but the Alps are far taller and much younger, formed long after Pangea built the ancient Appalachians
The States With The Most Farmland Per Person
Montana leads the US with about 50 acres of farmland per resident, while Wyoming, the Dakotas, and Nebraska fill out the top five in 2025 USDA estimates.
How Far Apart America's Extremes Actually Are
America is a large country, and when its territories are factored in, its geographic extremes become even more prominent.
How Big The Great Plains Is Compared To All Of Western Europe
The Great Plains could fit Western Europe twice with room for Texas. See how this vast region compares with European countries, from France to Austria.
How Long America's Rivers Are Compared To The Nile
The Mississippi runs about 57% of the Nile's length, and the Missouri-Mississippi nearly 90%, with the Yukon, Rio Grande, Colorado, and Columbia even shorter.
The Top Semiconductor States In America
Semiconductors are some of the most coveted materials on the planet, currently. Here are the top semiconductor states in America.
How Big Texas Is Compared To Europe's Largest Countries
Texas is larger than nearly every country in Europe. Its 268,597 square miles stack up against Europe’s biggest nations in surprising ways.
The Richest Countries In Africa 2025
Africa’s richest countries fall into three types: island economies, hydrocarbon exporters, and diversified markets, shaped by resources and policies