historic landmarks

La Torre de Piedra: Puerto Rico’s Forgotten Stone Tower

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Front view of La Torre de Piedra, the historic Santa Ana Observation Tower in Puerto Rico's Maricao State Forest, featuring stone battlements, an arched entrance, and adjoining picnic shelters with red-tiled roofs.

An adventure I missed, a memory they brought home. Some of the most memorable places from our travels are the ones we experienced firsthand. We remember the scenery, the sounds, the unexpected discoveries, and sometimes the mishaps that become stories of their own. But occasionally, a place becomes part of our travel history even when … Read more

Sloss Furnaces: The Ghosts of Birmingham’s Iron Empire

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Entrance to Sloss Furnaces National Monument in Birmingham, Alabama, with rusted towers and catwalks visible beyond the gate

They say you can still hear the hammers ringing at Sloss Furnaces, echoing through the smoke and iron that built Birmingham’s name. But when Dusty and I first tried to visit, the only sound we heard was Murph laughing in the distance. Round One: When Murph Closed the Gates This stop was supposed to be … Read more