Derweze Turkmenistan's 'Door to Hell'

As directly pulled from Wikipedia:
"The Derweze area is rich in natural gas. While drilling in 1971, geologists tapped into a cavern filled with natural gas.  The ground beneath the drilling rig collapsed, leaving a large hole with a diameter of about 70 meters (230 ft). To avoid poisonous gas discharge, it was decided to be burned off.  Geologists had hoped the fire would use all the fuel in a matter of days, but the gas still burns almost 40 years later. Locals have dubbed the cavern "The Door to Hell.""


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Derweze#The_.22Door_to_Hell.22_gas_deposit

Fly Geyser, Nevada

Accidentally created in 1916 after drilling for an oil well, the Fly Geyser exists today after the natural geothermal spring found a weak-spot in this new mound and began to sprout, continuously building-up the dissolved minerals present today.  It is located at the Fly Ranch in Washoe County Nevada.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fly_Geyser

Also, Nevada means 'snow covered.'  So Sierra Nevada means 'snow covered mountains.'

Kowloon Walled City

From the 1940s through 1994, the Kowloon Walled City existed as a largely ungoverned organic community that sprung up in an enclave as a haven for outlaws, outcasts and 'untouchables.'  So dense was this area that former 'streets' were now dank alleys that had no sunlight penetrate due to the growth above.  It readily resembled a outpost oasis that was constrained due to some apocalyptic conditions and thrived inside as a last refuge for survival.

Surprisingly many interesting cultural adaptations occurred within.  According to a German documentary there was a large number of unlicensed dentists operating, because of the unregulated nature of the enclave.  An within this seemingly subterranean Hell, a British missionary named Jackie Pullinger operated a drug rehabilitation program under the eyes of the ruling narco Triads.  



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kowloon_Walled_City


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_Pullinger

Loving County, Tx

With roughly 70 residents residing, Loving County Tx is America's least populous county.  It is located on the southern border of New Mexico between Carlsbad, NM and Pecos Tx. 

Notable facts:
677 sq miles
Mentone- County Seat
First elected Female Sheriff in Texas, Edna Reed Claton Dewees, between 1945-47

In the early 2000s, a group of libertarians attempted to start a 'Free Town.'  They were unsuccessful.

http://www.time.com/time/photogallery/0,29307,1644829_1411747,00.html

Voyager 1 now approaching interstellar space

Ive always been a great fan of the Voyager Program.  Launched in the early 1970s, these spacecraft have delivered a significant return on investment and represent (I believe) the furtherest tangible object from man in from Earth, in space.  Voyager 1 is now approaching the Heliopause, the area where the 'wind' from our Sun meets interstellar space.  Voyager 1's instruments recently recorded that the wind particles are now moving laterally not vertically as they approach the termination shock.  I don't understand why we don't continuously send ships like this out into space.  Just think with the level of technology now we could construct a significantly stronger and more robust spacecraft.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-11988466

Japanese Multiplication Method

This is amazing.  Though only useful for lower numbers--it gets unwieldy at a point--this is pretty cool.  Basically what you do for something like 11x2, is draw two (single) lines in one direction (representing 1,1) and one double line (representing two) and count the intersections.  = 22

http://gizmodo.com/5713010/this-bewildering-japanese-multiplication-method-just-multiplied-my-brain-by-zero

Weekend Civil War Special: States Rights Gist and an unfortunate coincidence

Confederate Brigidear General States Rights Gist must hold the mantle of greatest Civil War name.  A native of South Carolina and reminder of its politics he led troops in several battles ultimately dying in the Nov 1864 Battle of Franklin.

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In an unfortunate coincidence the Civil War's bloodiest day of battle and civilian accident occurred on the same day-September 17, 1862.  The Battle of Antietam and the explosion at the Allegheny Arsenal -- caused by a spark from a horse's metal shoe meeting loose gunpowder which traveled to the arsenal.  Two separate incidents causing the worst statistical day.