November 18, 2022

OOOH, SHINY Alaska’s Unusual Beach Finds Just shy of the Arctic Circle, where Alaska’s Seward Peninsula stretches westward toward Russia, there sits Point Spencer, a miles-long, narrow spit of sand, gravel, and permafrost that’s less than 100 feet wide in places. It’s witnessed waves of human dispersal over millennia, and served as both an intercontinental marketplace and a Cold War military outpost. Now, another dazzling chapter for Point Spencer begins: Magnified 10 times, sand originally collected from one of its beaches appears as glittering, semiprecious stones.  READ MORE → GASTRO OBSCURA What is Crab Rangoon Anyway? If you’re familiar with American Chinese cuisine, you’re likely familiar with crab rangoon, which features cream cheese, sometimes sweetened, plus, usually, very small bits of imitation crab, stuffed into a wonton wrapper and deep-fried, served with a syrupy, neon sweet-and-sour dipping sauce. It has a Burmese name, is served in a theoretically Chinese restaurant, and its main component was invented in New York in the late 19th century. What the heck is crab rangoon, and how did it happen? READ MORE → HAMPSHIRE, ENGLAND The Grave of Thomas Thetcher During the late 18th century, Thomas Thetcher was a much respected soldier. He was so revered that when he tragically died, his fellow soldiers commissioned a gravestone to memorialize his untimely demise caused by a drink. It’s this very gravestone that spurred an American soldier to co-found “Alcoholics Anonymous.” READ MORE → SPONSORED BY DISCOVER ATLANTA An Invaluable “Valueless” Land Sugar Creek Garden and Herb Farm was developed on a floodplain once deemed “valueless” because of a City of Decatur stream buffer ordinance. But through partnerships with organizations providing free herbal medicine, the property has become invaluable to the community. The farm also includes garden plots for rent, a multi-bin composting system, and active beehives tended by a company producing hyperlocal honey products.   LEARN MORE → PENNSYLVANIA Fasnachts In Pennsylvania Dutch Country, a fasnacht is a traditional treat available on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday when many Christians begin to fast for Lent. The word “fasnacht” has German roots and assumes a variety of spellings depending on whom you ask. Resembling doughnuts sans the hole, fasnachts are starchy and satisfying. But unlike doughnuts, they’re usually made from potato dough. READ MORE → EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND Arthur's Seat Arthur’s Seat, a large hill sitting to the southeast of Edinburgh, was once an active volcano. It is thought that around 350 million years ago, Arthur’s Seat was formed by a volcanic eruption and the two bumpy summits are what is left of the volcano’s central vents (from where the hot lava would have poured out many years ago). This iconic shape is recognizable from all sides of the city and is often used as a landmark for locals to navigate their way around. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA COURSES Learn How to Play Ancient Games In this course led by Game Master and mythologist Dr. John Bucher, we’ll dive deep into the world of ancient games, exploring the symbols and cultural context of games played over 1000 years ago. We’ll look at the history and mythology that gave rise to them, as well as basic tenets of game theory and human psychology as they apply to games—playing several ancient games as we go.  ENROLL TODAY → THANKSGIVING IDEAS 5 Recipes from Indigenous Chefs Why not use Thanksgiving to honor and celebrate Indigenous traditions? Inside: five recipes from leading Indigenous chefs across North America. Instead of cranberry sauce, opt for Sean Sherman’s recipe for mixed-berry wojapi. Or try another take on Thanksgiving’s star bird with a hominy-and-turkey stew from Oklahoma’s First Americans Museum. Whip up one of the recipes below to celebrate the local ingredients, stories, and people of this land. READ MORE → CRAFTSBURY, VERMONT Witch Windows Traveling through the Vermont countryside, especially in the northern parts of the state, you might notice some old farmhouse windows oriented at an odd angle. According to folklore, these so-called “witch windows” were tilted 45 degrees so that witches couldn’t fly through them into the house. READ MORE → ATLAS OBSCURA TRIPS Māori Traditions & Natural Marvels Prepare to be left speechless as you take in dramatic mountain landscapes, glistening bioluminescent grottos, and fascinating geothermal phenomena. Venturing from the North to the South Island, you'll enjoy memorable insider experiences with local Māori communities, traveling by traditional Māori canoes to the mythic Mount Maunganui and marveling at a glacier-fed waterfall worthy of a scene from Lord of the Rings. BOOK YOUR ADVENTURE NOW →