DEEP DOWN IN CARLSBAD CAVERNS

A century after becoming famous, America’s biggest hole in the ground has yet to touch bottom.

American PlacesThe AtticOctober 20, 2023Carlsbad Caverns, Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico travel, Southwest travel, Jim White Comment

THE WONDERFUL WORDSMITH OF OZ

From Oz to the moon, Yip Harburg’s lyrics captured America’s hopes and dreams.

WITS, ATTIC AT THE MOVIES, ATTICATTHEMOVIESThe AtticOctober 12, 2023Yip Harburg, E.L. Yip Harburg, Wizard of Oz, Somewhere Over the Rainbow, Finian's Rainbow Comments

PROJECT 562 -- REBIRTH OF NATIONS

Native-American portraits were stuck in the past. So Matika Wilbur set out to photograph all 562 nations.

HEROES, ART-ISHThe AtticOctober 3, 2023Project 562, Matika Wilbur, Native Americans, Native American photographs Comments

MOWING STRAIGHT ACROSS IOWA

When his brother had a stroke, Alvin Straight headed across the Plains to see him. On a lawnmower. (As seen in “The Straight Story.”)

WONDERS, ATTICATTHEMOVIES, ATTIC AT THE MOVIESThe AtticSeptember 29, 2023The Straight Story, Alvin Straight, Iowa, Great Plains, David Lynch Comments

TRUTH'S OWN HISTORIAN -- JILL LEPORE

Despite three jobs — professor, New Yorker writer, mother — Jill Lepore solved the mystery. “Who Killed Truth?”

BATTLING THE B.S., TEACHERS, teachers, TEACHERS & HEALERS, DEMOCRACYThe AtticSeptember 21, 2023Jill Lepore, American history, These Truths, The New Yorker, Harvard University Comments

HANK WILLIAMS -- SON OF A GUN

Many songwriters write but only a handful embody the music, the life, the legend. Happy 100th, Hank!

FOLKIESThe AtticSeptember 14, 2023Hank WIlliams, Country music, Grand ol' Opry, Your Cheatin' Heart, Jambalaya Comment

LOWRIDERS -- CRUISIN' LOW AND SLOW

With pride, paint, and persistence, Low Riders are “one of the greatest things that ever happened to Mexican-Americans.”

REBELS, ART-ISHBruce WatsonSeptember 8, 2023Low Riders, Gypsy Rose automobile, Jesse Valadez, East Los Angeles, Cholo, Car clubs Comments

CHUGGING THROUGH THE PAST

The Attic rides Colorado’s narrow gauge RR through mountains and magic.

American Places, WONDERSThe AtticSeptember 2, 2023Narrow gauge railroad, Denver and Rio Grande, Durango, Colorado, Silverton Colorado, Railroad history, Historic railroads Comment

STEINBECK AND "THE HARVEST GYPSIES"

When Dust Bowl refugees came to California, a newspaper sent a novelist to tell the story.

REBELS, BOOK-ISHThe AtticAugust 17, 2023John Steinbeck, Grapes of Wrath, The 1930s, The Depression, Migrant labor, The Dust Bowl, The Harvest Gypsies, Dorothea Lange Comment

DOWN THE OFF-BEATEN PATH

Tired of traditional travel? Wander the world’s weirdness with Atlas Obscura.

American PlacesBruce WatsonAugust 10, 2023Atlas Obscura, Travel, Vagabonds, Gastro Obscura, Joshua Foer, travel websites, travellogues, travel blogs Comment

AMERICA'S FIRST PLAYGROUND

Before Disney, before Six Flags, the capital of fun was Coney Island.

American PlacesThe AtticAugust 2, 2023Coney Island, George Tilyou, Luna Park, Steeplechase Park, Brooklyn, Amusement parksComment

KEEPING A WATCH ON BIRDS

Using apps and online maps, Cornell’s “Lab of O” lets YOU keep an eye on birds.

TEACHERS, TEACHERS & HEALERS, teachersThe AtticJuly 20, 2023Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Birds, bird watching, Audubon society, citizen science Comments

TAKE THE WORLD OUT TO THE RODEO

This was, in fact, their first rodeo. And when 20 teachers from 20 countries cheered cowboys and cowgirls, new trails were blazed.

American PlacesThe AtticJuly 13, 2023rodeo, Cross-cultural, Western history, American West, Oakley Rodeo Comments

TAKE THE WORLD OUT TO THE BALLGAME

When 20 teachers from 20 countries went to a baseball game, the rules didn’t matter. Play ball!

American PlacesThe AtticJuly 5, 2023baseball, Americana, International, Cross-cultural Comments

FREDERICK DOUGLASS' FOURTH

Once Frederick Douglass rose to speak, Independence Day no longer seemed so free.

History, HEROESThe AtticJune 29, 2023Frederick Douglass, What to the slave is the fourth of july, Fourth of July, Abolition, Slavery Comment

THE CYCLISTS WHO MAPPED AMERICA

Four cyclists, one dream, 4,000 riders coast-to-coast. The Bikecentennial opened America to two-wheeled adventure.

DREAMERSThe AtticJune 23, 2023Bikecentennial, Adventure Cycling, Biking, Cycling, Cross-country cycling, Greg Siple, Missoula Montana Comments

KINDER, COOLER, SMARTER

NOW IN OUR TENTH YEAR!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE ATTIC (STILL FREE)