Google Maps: 15 million views

In 2017, I tried an experiment to see if I could post photos that got one million views on Google Maps (they referred to the photos as living on Google Local at the time). It quickly got very easy to reach the milestone, with tons of views of some frankly pretty boring photos.

Today, I got a notification that my photos had reached 15 million views, which is ridiculous. I still am suspicious of the accuracy of these metrics. Two photos have each exceeded two million views. There's this one of Tires Plus in Gambrills:

and this gem from the Bowie Walmart:

My most-viewed photo that is not of a chain is at #7 this view of the Center for the Arts at George Mason (265K views):

That's not actually bad.

I am less excited than ever to be provided free labor to Google, but I will sometimes upload a photo when prompted, particularly if I want to influence the perception of a place or if it just makes me laugh. I haven't really had any take off in the past couple of years.

Stay-At-Home Bowl Update through 2024 and Recap

One of this blog's long-running features (for over two decades!) has been something I invented called the Stay-At-Home Bowl Trophy, awarded to the team (or teams!) who have defeated both Super Bowl participants. It's been a couple of years since I've updated. Looking back, I also have the results scattered among a variety of blog posts, so after seeing what happened in both 2023 and 2024 (I award by the calendar year of the regular season, not by the Super Bowl), I'm going to give the all-time list of winners.

The 2023 season ended in a matchup between the Chiefs and 49ers. Both lost five or more games, but there was no overlap.

The 2024 season saw the Eagles defeat the Chiefs in the Super Bowl. The two teams combined for only five regular season losses, and there was again no overlap.

So your to-date list of teams which have defeated both Super Bowl entrants remains:

• 2021 49ers
• 2021 Packers
• 2017 Chiefs
• 2016 Seahawks
• 2014 Chiefs
• 2013 Colts
• 2010 Patriots
• 2008 Eagles
• 2008 Giants
• 2005 Jaguars
• 2004 Steelers
• 2000 Skins
  
• 2000 Titans
  
• 1996 Cowboys
  
• 1993 Dolphins
  
• 1986 Seahawks
  
• 1985 Dolphins
  
• 1981 Browns
  
• 1980 Cowboys
  
• 1980 Chargers
  
• 1979 Chargers
  
• 1978 Rams

Geocaching Update: 296 Connected Counties

 

As I'm reviving this blog, I'm updating some of the past posts. In 2023, I posted about having found geocaches in 183 counties connected on the map. Now I'm up to 296!

Previously, they encompassed 13 states and DC. I have since added Wisconsin, Kentucky, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine to bring the total to 21.

It's not going to be super easy to add more, though Vermont, Iowa, Georgia, and Alabama are all feasible with one good trip each. (Georgia and Alabama are already connected, so one trip between Greenville, SC and Athens, GA would add both.)

It will, however, be super easy to add more counties -- I'm hoping to get two more in Pennsylvania this weekend, and several more, mostly in Ohio, next month.

I have found all of the counties in Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut and Rhode Island. Other states where I have more than half include Arizona, New Jersey, Maine, and Virginia.

World Heritage: Historic Centre of Rome

Still catching up...

Also, last year, I went to Rome and saw my 71st World Heritage Site. Technically, the complete name is "Historic Centre of Rome, the Properties of the Holy See in that City Enjoying Extraterritorial Rights and San Paolo Fuori le Mura." 

It was already going to be an extremely short trip, but it got even shorter when my inbound flight was a few hours late. I can't wait to go back when I have more time.

At the time, that gave me 71 out of 1223, for 5.81% of all sites worldwide. New ones were recently inducted, so I'm at 71 out of 1248, or 5.69%. I've been some neat places this year, but unfortunately no World Heritage Sites.

World Heritage: Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications

I have kind of abandoned this blog. It occurs to me, though, as the social media landscape gets more fragmented, I might want a place independent of any one corporate site to share my musings. So I'm starting with catching up on some long-running features.

Last year, on a cruise with Robyn, I visited my 70th World Heritage Site, the Historic Town of St George and Related Fortifications in Bermuda.

World Heritage: Hopewell Ceremonial Earthworks

 

UNESCO just finished inscribing new sites into the World Heritage List, bringing the total to 1199. Earlier this month, I visited the Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, which was part of the Hopewell Culture Earthworks, which were just inducted.

The earthworks were constructed in what is now Ohio almost 2000 years ago. While not as visually impressive as some of the other sites, the earthworks offer an intriguing glimpse into a fascinating culture that influenced this continent long ago.

This is my 69th site, representing 5.75% of the total sites.