Bombay Beach was not on my list of places to see during this visit, but an incredibly friendly border patrol checkpoint officer enthusiastically recommended stopping here since it was on our way. And wow. Bombay Beach sits on the Salton Sea, and during the 50s and 60s, it was a booming tourist getaway and desert beach resort town. An oasis in the middle of nowhere, the Salton Sea, is the result of an irrigation system gone wrong when the Colorado River was diverted and water spilled over and created what is now the largest body of water in California. Fast forward to today, the town is now a shell of its former self but has become a haven for artists. Rolling through town has big Scooby-Doo vibes, but there are some incredibly interesting and eclectic artworks to see both in the town and on the beach itself.
I really swear there's so much more to New England than just lighthouses 😅. But they are hard to miss when on the coast and they make for a fun visit too. This is the Portland Head Light, and it's been in operation on this rocky coast since 1791. This lighthouse claims to be the most photographed lighthouse in the US as well as the oldest in Maine. And it's easy to believe.
One day it's white-out conditions with snow just dumping down and the next it's blue skies and plenty of (warm-ish) sun. New England weather likes to keep you in suspense. This is Salisbury Beach in Massachusetts and located right next to the New Hampshire state line. It looks pretty empty now, but soon it will be packed with beachgoers who have been waiting for the cold weather of winter to be over.
New England isn't just all scenic lighthouses, but we got quite a few here. This is the Spring Point Ledge Lighthouse in Portland, Maine, and this little sparkplug-style lighthouse shines its light onto Portland's harbor. Connected to Fort Preble, which is now part of the Southern Maine Community College campus, and is a nice area for a walk along the shore or a picnic in the summertime.
The Uncanny Valley: A phenomenon that can be described as an eerie or unsettling feeling that some people experience in response to not-quite-human figures like humanoid robots and lifelike computer-generated characters.
Yup.
Right now at the @louisvuitton store on 5th Ave in NYC, you can find this Kusama automaton painting their window and freaking out passersby. The eyes definitely follow you 👀
Lexington Market, established in 1782, is the country's oldest public market and home to some regional treats. A new building opened early this year across the street from the original and has a large variety of vendors and food. Be sure to stop at Berger's on the lower level for their famous cookies.
Similar to his death, Edgar Allan Poe's final resting place has a storied history cloaked in mystery. He was originally buried in an unmarked plot, but that was later fixed, but only with the number 80. Pressure in the city grew as rumor spread of the famed poet's unkempt grave and a marble headstone was ordered by a relative. This headstone would never make it to the cemetery and was unfortunately destroyed in a train accident. Years later an actual stoner marker was placed on his gravesite, and a monument was built shortly after. But this new monument was too big for the gravesite he was at and so he was exhumed and moved to a more suitable area towards the front of the cemetery. When visiting the cemetery you'll see the large monument on your right as soon as you enter. But you can also visit the original burial site and family plot in the back of the cemetery.
Located at the end of a 4,300 foot long breakwater, you'll find the Rockland Harbor Lighthouse. The breakwater's construction was finished in 1899 and was built to protect the Rockland Harbor from the strong nor'easter storms. Shortly after the construction of the breakwater, the lighthouse was built to help sailors navigate around the new breakwater. Tours of the lighthouse are available but are subject to the volunteer staff's availability.
Could the world's smallest suspension bridge be in Maine? That's the claim at least. The Wiggly Bridge, not just a clever name, the bridge is indeed wiggly, can be found off Rte. 103 in the ultra-beautiful town of York, Maine. The bridge leads to an island that has a short loop trail. There's parking nearby, but be careful where you park. A lot of the prime parking spots are permit parking only.