Standing out on the shoreline, have you ever wondered if you set sail straight ahead across the sea what other beach would you run into?  Check out the Beyond The Sea interactive map.  You can move your mouse along a shoreline or click on a country to visualize all the locations which lie directly across the sea.  Location names will be displayed once the track hits land.  Colors of the lines represent the different destination continents.  Try the Start Fireworks button too for an impressive display!

Check out this satellite image of the fires in California and the smoke that has blown out to sea.  It was taken at noon today.

You can view full disk images of the Earth and different sensor images and loops at the GOES East Image Viewer.

When you mail a letter or package with the United States Postal Service (USPS), unless you pay for tracking, you may no know when it will arrive at its destination.  If you mail your rent check on October 27, will it reach your landlord before the end of the month?

The USPS has a handy mapping tool for that.  Continue reading →

In 1973, a California State University geography professor suggested that the US redraw its state boundaries and reduce the number of states to 38.  State lines were to be drawn in less populated areas, isolating large cities and reducing their number within each state.  Thus with fewer cities vying for state tax dollars, more money would be available for projects that would benefit all citizens.  Alas, the idea died in Washington.  Click below to read more about it.

More info here.  And here.