Have you ever wanted to stand at the literal center of the world? Well, in Boston, Massachusetts, you can do exactly that! Tucked away inside the Mary Baker Eddy Library is the Mapparium, a three-story, stained-glass globe that is easily one of the most mind-bending sights in New England. 🏛️🌈 Completed in 1935, this incredible work of art and geography is nearly 100 years old! Because the 608 stained-glass panels haven't been touched since their installation, the Mapparium serves as a...
11 days ago • 1 min read
A big change for Folk and Rock! If you’re a fan of music history, there’s one destination you have to visit: the Newport Folk Festival at Fort Adams State Park, Rhode Island. Founded in 1959 by George Wein, this legendary event isn't just about banjos and acoustic guitars—it’s the site of one of the most controversial moments in rock 'n' roll history! 🎤✨ (See Note below) On July 25, 1965, a young Bob Dylan stepped onto the stage and did the unthinkable: he plugged in. 🔌💥 Backed by the Paul...
18 days ago • 1 min read
I've met over 300 "Fifty-Staters" in the past week! Today's newsletter is a bit more personal, as I'm reporting on my experiences that ended yesterday (July 1st). Some of the All Fifty Club members, along with Alicia, our president, attended the Great American State Fair on the National Mall in Washington, D.C. I wasn't even aware that this event had become "political." I'm not going to get into that, as you can read about it yourself. As above, over 300 people who visited our presence...
23 days ago • 1 min read
I’m here as a volunteer for the All Fifty Club. Our exhibit counts “All Fifty Fellow Travelers” who join our ranks. At the end of the day today, on the second day of the fair, we are at 97 total for the fair! We have a mini celebration! If you have visited all fifty, check it out here and join us! If you have visited 35, you can become an associate member. Then you can strive to visit all 50!!! When I checked in at our booth, I helped out for a while, then went off to visit more states! (I...
29 days ago • 1 min read
Sorry, I didn't include that the Great American State Fair is on the National Mall in Washington, DC. I hope it doesn't get "political," but since it's Washington, it probably will (or already is). But it's a good place to celebrate the 250th anniversary. If you are old enough to remember the Bicentennial in 1976, you'll likely remember it receiving much more publicity and celebration. I make a supreme effort to keep politics out of The Driveby Tourist. It's about visiting America, one road...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
I’m sure you’ve heard about visiting all fifty states here! Approximately 1.3% of Americans have visited all fifty. I visited my fiftieth state for the first time around in 1987. Amazingly, it was New York state. So far, not a big deal. However, in 2014, I decided I “needed” to visit all 50 again! And I completed that in January 2023, upon visiting Hawaii. Now, I’m up to 30 the third time around. So, when the All Fifty Club asked for volunteers at their booth at the Great American State Fair,...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
On the way home from my week in Chicagoland and Route 66, I couldn't resist seeing this place. It's in Riverside, Iowa, near Iowa City. The TV series and Star Trek books stated that Captain Kirk was born in Iowa. In 1985, a city councilman suggested that someone contact Gene Roddenberry, the creator of the original Star Trek series. Since no Iowa city was mentioned, Roddenberry gave his approval. In a later movie, Riverside received recognition as the birthplace. A plaque erected attests to...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
I did another section of Route 66 on my recent trip - from Pontiac to Carlinville. I'll have more about the trip in a blog post later. I dropped in again at the Route 66 Hall of Fame in Pontiac and then visited more places along the way. One of them is the Museum of the Giants in Atlanta, IL. It has a collection of giant Muffler Men and other characters, placed there because of their proximity to the Bunyan Giant across the street. More later. Route 66 is full of fun stops. Here's the link to...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
After the conference, I visited more places in Chicagoland. All that involved driving in Chicago for what seemed like hours to move a few miles. But that's what you have to do sometimes! The last session of the conference was held in Woodstock, IL. The movie "Groundhog Day" was filmed here about 30 years ago. The historic town's square and downtown area made a perfect backdrop for the film. Emmett Till was a 14-year-old African-American from Chicago who was brutally murdered in Mississippi....
about 1 month ago • 1 min read