Telescope Supergraphic

Green Bank Telescope at Monogahela Forest, WV

Look, it’s a Byrd!

Traveling along Robert C. Byrd Expressway in West Virginia, searching for the Green Bank Telescope I see references and signs to Robert C. Byrd bridges, commerce centers, health centers and on it goes. I wonder if I’m in West Virginia at all as there are over 50 buildings, science and technology centers, a dozen roads, bridges and dams, another dozen health, community, and commerce centers named after the late Democratic senator, deemed the King of Pork, Robert C. Byrd. Supporting your constituents and state I find admirable but tacking your own name on everything is a bit too much self-aggrandizing.

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Onondaga Cave – Leasburg, MO

Hi, my name is Craig and am a Cave Snob

That’s hard to admit ’cause I didn’t even know I suffered from the affliction until recently. I see signs touting the spectacular Onondaga Cave in Missouri. But hey, I’m from Kentucky, home of Mammoth Cave. The largest cave system in the world and one of the 10 Natural Wonders of the World.  Like I invented the darn thing or something. Nonetheless, I’m totally prepared to be unimpressed with this cave, you’ll have to Show Me Missouri, besides I’m here to see the bats anyway. […]

Curious Craig - Grand-Island.jpeg

Grand Island, NE

It’s Grand!

In 1857, German settlers left Iowa and headed west to Nebraska to start a new settlement on an island known by French traders as La Grande Isle, (later Grand Island)  which is formed by the Wood River and Platte Rivers. The city’s claim to fame today is it hosts the Nebraska State Fair in August and is on the migratory route for sandhill cranes in the early spring. […]

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The Corn Palace – Mitchell, SD

Build it and they will come

The Corn Palace is dreamed up in 1892, just three years after South Dakotas’ statehood, by a group of local businessmen. They desire to increase the local population in order to secure the success of their ventures. They decide to build a Corn Palace that might help convince potential residents of the area’s agricultural abundance. […]