The Baikonur Cosmodrome: World’s Oldest Space Launch Facility

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Sometimes Interesting
Abandoned Buran
About 1,300 miles (2,100 km) southeast of Moscow in the desert steppe of Kazakhstan, the world’s oldest and largest operational space launch facility is still conducting launches. The Baikonur Cosmodrome was originally constructed by the Soviet Union in the late 1950s as the base of operations for its space program. The Cosmodrome has been an important part of space exploration history, having been the launching site of earth’s first satellite and first man in space. Today operations have been scaled down, but it remains one of only a handful of active space launching facilities in the world.
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The Penthouse Adriatic Club at the Haludovo Palace Hotel

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Sometimes Interesting
Penthouse Adriatic Club Haludovo Palace Hotel
This architectural treasure is a remnant of the short-lived Yugoslavian casino boom of the early 1970’s. The Penthouse Adriatic Club casino at the Haludovo Palace Hotel was an extravagant retreat financed by the American magnate of the eponymous adult magazine. Built in the Croatian town of Malinska on the Adriatic island of Krk, the hotel and its lobby were a Brutalist tour de force, designed to attract the wealthy of the west.

Bankruptcy and a law change forced out the American owner after a year. For the next two decades the hotel remained open, but civil war in the early 1990’s drove tourists away and forced the hotel to close. Over the years the hotel has changed ownership several times, but no progress has been made on redevelopment.

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Craco Italy: Mediterranean Ghost Town

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Sometimes Interesting
Craco Italy ghost town
Craco, Italy is a commune and medieval village located in the Region of Basilicata and the Province of Matera, about 25 miles inland from the Gulf of Taranto at the instep of the “boot” of Italy. The medieval village is typical of the hill towns in the region with mildly undulating shapes and the lands surrounding it sown with wheat. Around 540AD the area was called “Montedoro” and inhabited by Greeks who moved inland from the coastal town of Metaponto. Tombs have been found dating from the 8th century suggesting the original settlement dates to that period. Today, earthquakes, landslides, and a lack of fertile farming land have contributed to the abandonment of Craco.
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Bannerman’s Castle on the Hudson

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Sometimes Interesting
On a lonely island fifty miles north of New York City, the bricks of a once-proud castle slowly return to the earth. The crumbling fortress is one of several remaining structures on tiny Pollepel Island, an empty six-and-a-half acre crag hugging the east bank of the Hudson River. The 100 year-old Bannerman’s Castle was originally built as an arsenal, and has been vacant for the last forty five years since a fire ravaged the island in the summer of 1969. It was the creation of a nineteenth-century businessman and served as an advertisement for the era’s largest military surplus empire. When the castle’s namesake passed away, the island was forgotten. It’s brief resurrection was cut short by a fatal fire. For half a century the building has been losing battles against nature. Absent intervention in the very near future, it may lose the war.
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Empire: Abandoned Company Town of Nevada

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Sometimes Interesting
Empire Nevada
A company town is a town where all property and services are owned by the employer. For an employer who plies its trade in mining, such towns are inventions of necessity to provide a labor force given the remote locations of the mineral discoveries. U.S. Gypsum (USG), one of the leading producers of sheet rock, had just such a need when a major deposit of gypsum was discovered 100 miles north of Reno in the middle of the Nevada desert. Employing several hundred workers, USG’s town of Empire reached a peak population of 750 in the early 1960s. But by 2011, U.S. Gypsum – hit hard by the economy and a reduced demand for sheet rock – was forced to close its doors and the town.
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Ishi: The Last Wild North American Indian

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Cary O'Dell

Guest Post Series

words by Cary O’Dell It was August of 1911, when Sheriff J.B. Webber of Oroville, California, got word of a strange “savage” found in the corral of a local slaughter house.

The stranger–male, at least middle-age, weak and malnutritioned, and nude save for a strip of cloth worn like a cape–bore the appearance of an Indian. But Indians native to the area, like most Native American tribes, had long since died out, the last of them killed in one final massacre in 1865, almost 50 years ago.

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7 Fun Things to Do in Downtown Miami

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Sometimes Interesting
Miami, Florida had over 16.5 million visitors in one year. Are you surprised? You shouldn’t be. In the words of the famous show Miami Vice, “if Miami hasn’t got it, they haven’t invented it yet.” After all, there is no place like it, and any Florida vacation is incomplete without it. Miami is a cultural hub with nightclubs aplenty, unique neighborhoods, and pristine beaches. It has something for everyone, with a few surprises thrown in. And one of the areas to visit in the city is downtown Miami. Whether you are traveling with friends, family, or solo, the area is worth a stop during your trip. Keep reading for seven top things to do in Downtown Miami!

1. Bayfront Park

Bayfront Park is the heart of Downtown Miami. It is perfect for capturing views of the skyline and for admiring Biscayne Bay. You are right on the bay, which is gorgeous. At around 32 acres, you can spend a lot of time here! Take a stroll on one of the paths. Or simply chill amongst the greenery, enjoying Miami’s weather. The park also hosts a lot of events, and there is the FPL Solar Amphitheater. Kids can also visit the Kidszone with a play area and seating. There are also sculptures to admire. They are part of Miami-Dade County’s Art in Public Places program. Check out fantastic public art around the city.

2. Bayside Marketplace

A stone’s throw away is the Bayside Marketplace. A resident of Downtown Miami for over 30 years, this is the place for shopping in the city. As a result, it is one of the most visited attractions in Miami, Florida. It has two levels and is open-air, set on Biscayne Bay. There are over one hundred stores and plenty of restaurants. There are also fun things to do with kids here. There is the Skyviews Miami observation wheel, which towers almost 200 feet above Bayside. And it is the embarkation point for some Downtown Miami cruises! A bay cruise is a fantastic way to admire the area.

3. Hard Rock Stadium

For the sports fans out there, Hard Rock stadium should be on your list. It is home to the Miami Dolphins NFL team and the Miami Hurricanes. And other sports are hosted here, like open tennis championships. There are also other events, such as comedy shows. The Hard Rock Stadium is not currently offering tours, so it is best to go for a game or event. With over 65,000 seats, it is a stadium whose noise echoes around Downtown Miami. Parking in Miami can be difficult, but near Hard Rock Stadium, there are options to choose from.

4. Perez Art Museum

Perez Art Museum is Miami’s modern and contemporary art museum. It hosts international art over three floors. The museum itself is also worth a visit because of its beautiful exterior. Escape the heat and explore. There is a kids program to help engage children in art. There are also tours on offer and changing exhibitions. There is a casual restaurant for lunch too. Check opening hours and days. Admission prices vary. Entry is free for healthcare professionals, military, and children under six years old. It is close to the Patricia and Phillip Frost Museum of Science, so you can have a full fun day of exploring museums!

5. Freedom Tower

The Freedom Tower is a historic place. It is a distinct landmark in Downtown Miami and one of the city’s most distinctive buildings. For many, it means freedom. It was home to Miami News, the first newspaper in the city. And it became the place Cuban refugees entered the United States. Now it is another cultural hub of Downtown Miami. It offers three museums for the price of one. The Cuban Legacy Gallery, the Kislak Center, and the Museum of Art and Design are all here. There are also exhibits about the Cuban experience. For example, there is a photographic exhibition about the Cuban exile experience.

6. HistoryMiami 

If you like history, this one is for you. Get to know the history of Miami in HistoryMiami, which aims to safeguard Miami’s stories. There is an excellent collection of archives and historical artifacts. It is located on the picturesque Miami-Dade Cultural Plaza. It is also a distinctive building covering 100,000 square feet! The stories and history will surprise you. Miami has come a long way since its city of 300 in the 1800s. Discover everything from the first native settlers to present-day Miami, Florida. There is a permanent exhibition called Tropical Dreams: A People’s History of South Florida. This covers 10,000 years of South Florida history. If that feels overwhelming, do not worry, as there are museum tours on offer. There are temporary exhibitions too. If you time it right, you might be able to visit one of the events hosted here. Events include free family fun days, photography, and cultural festivals.

7. Adrienne Arsht Center for Performing Arts

Incredibly, this performing arts center is in Downtown Miami. The Ziff Ballet Opera House, Knight Concert Hall, and Carnival Studio Theater are here. You can laugh, cry, or experience a rollercoaster evening of fun! Many famous touring Broadway shows perform here, such as Hamilton and Phantom of the Opera. However, many local performances happen here too. Zoetic Stage is a theater company aiming to put the South Florida arts scene on the national radar. New World Symphony, Miami City Ballet, and the Florida Grand Opera also perform here.

Have Fun in the City

Downtown Miami is a great place to have fun in the city. There are so many fun things to do, but this list gets you started! Miami is an incredible city that will make your Florida vacation complete. Immerse yourself in the incredible cultures that call Miami home, and make it the city it is today. Did you like this article? Check out our other travel posts!

Abandoned: Old Reid Memorial Hospital

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Sometimes Interesting
The original Reid Memorial Hospital in Richmond, Indiana, was built in 1905 and served the community for over one hundred years. During that time the hospital continuously expanded, adding new wings in new architectural styles to grow with the population.

Eventually the organization was forced to relocate to a new facility in 2008, leaving the old campus in the hands of eager developers. However bad planning, bad timing, and just plain bad luck has seen multiple investor groups fail to resurrect the old Reid – leaving the city an eyesore with a large unpaid tax bill.

Why did Reid leave, and why couldn’t the old campus be saved?

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