6 in the Morning

Good morning, and welcome! I’ve always seen bridges as a simple and easy way to get from one place to another. Take the Bering Land Bridge, for example, which drew groups of early humans from Asia to inhabit the Americas. Bridges take you from point A to point B, quickly and efficiently. No questions asked. There and back again. However, as with everything, each bridge has a story of its own. The fascinating history of bridges was a subject which was brought to my attention by my aunt, who had recently perused a list of interesting facts about the Golden Gate Bridge. When she relayed the information to me in conversation, she spoke of a project that was more than just a new road. It was a feat of civil engineering, claimed to be impossible. Yet through all manners of hardship, the bridge remains, patiently allowing today’s drivers and pedestrians passage across the San Francisco Bay. I did some additional research. The world’s oldest datable bridge, spanning the Meles river, is...

Good morning, and welcome! When I first set out to discover the world’s most interesting caves, I had no idea that they would be so… well… interesting! Caves and I have a bit of what you might call a tumultuous relationship. I don’t like mud, I don’t like groping around in the dark only to cut myself on a rock, I don’t like the headlamp things you have to wear, and I really, really don’t like bat droppings or anything that might live in them. However, I can appreciate the incredible rock formations that can often be found inside a cave. There’s something magical about the idea of an entire world waiting to be discovered just beneath the surface. This would be the point in which I rant once more about how cool our planet is, but here’s the thing: caves aren’t unique to Earth. They’ve been spotted on Mars and the moon as well. Wow, wouldn’t it be amazing to be the first to explore a cave… in space? As if I don’t have enough impossible dreams on my bucket list already! Sadly, until ...

Good morning, and happy (belated) American Independence Day! Last Saturday, our family celebrated our nation by eating delicious grilled food and watching a fireworks show late into the night. As the clear night grew darker, the world felt just a little more magical, especially when the fireworks began. After a fun-filled day, I went to bed ecstatic… and woke up exhausted! To me, the 4th of July is synonymous with summer. It tastes like hamburgers and dill pickles, smells like bug spray and green grass, sounds like laughter echoing into the sky, and feels warm and balmy hours after the sun has set. However, the holiday’s true significance goes beyond anything I could ever comprehend. It symbolizes a struggle for liberty, political rights and ultimately independence. The United States of America itself got its start over 200 years ago on this day. How amazing that we still celebrate this important transition from colony to country even today! My fascination with the roots of this ...