The fraught return of a once-famous American canyon

Heirloom seeds 101, 11 museums honoring women, and more.
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	March 09, 2023

A Landscape’s History

The Return of Glen Canyon

Lake Powell, the second-largest reservoir in North America after Lake Mead, is on its way out. Water levels in the canyon system have fallen more or less steadily for two decades, and refilling it to full capacity, or even half capacity, appears to be off the table. As a result of the diminishing water levels, the landscape of Glen Canyon is resurfacing—along with questions about the future of the Colorado River and those who depend on it.

Heirloom Seeds 101

Here in the Northern Hemisphere, we’re looking forward to warmer temperatures and longer days. To prepare for sunnier days ahead, one of our Gastro Obscura editors has been deciding what seeds to buy for when spring gardens come into bloom. Without further ado, here are five fruits and vegetables to suit a Gastro Obscura garden!

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Standing in the historic Haymount Historic District of Fayetteville, North Carolina is the Edgar Allan “E.A.” Poe House. Now, we know what you’re thinking, but no, this is not referring to Edgar Allan Poe, the master of American horror stories. It’s Edgar Allan Poe, the successful businessman, politician, and civic leader who built it between 1896 and 1898. Surprise!

Atlas Obscura Courses

Get 20% Off All Spring Courses

Spring is a time for growth—so why not sow some seeds of knowledge or pick up a new skill? Whether you want to learn the art of marbling, craft a crossword, or explore the world of dreams, there's something for you in our spring lineup. Use code SPRING20 to get 20% off any live courses offered in March, April, or May, along with any of our On-Demand-Courses. (And don't wait! Offer ends March 12.)

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Unusual Museums

Extraordinary Women

March marks the beginning of Women’s History Month, and what better way to start things off than by honoring a few legendary women and their amazing accomplishments? From the birthplace of a leader in the U.S. women’s suffrage movement to the museum dedicated to one of the first professional fossil hunters, here are 11 museums dedicated to amazing women.

Robbinsville, New Jersey

Papa's Tomato Pies

Established in 1912, Papa’s Tomato Pies has been making Trenton-style pizza for three generations, and claims to be the oldest continuously-family owned pizza restaurant in the U.S. It’s also home to the “mustard pie,” where mustard is slathered right on the dough before cheese, toppings, and tomatoes are added. Hey, don’t knock it until you try it.

The Atlas Obscura Podcast

The Dedan Kimathi Post Office Tree

In this episode of The Atlas Obscura Podcast, we visit a tree in a Kenyan national park that served as an informal “post office” during the nation’s struggle for independence.

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Geological Oddities

Think desert, and you might imagine camels or an oasis. And if you look at this photo, you might mistake it for the Sahara, or the Arabian Peninsula’s famous Empty Quarter, the largest continuous sand desert on the planet. But this is Bunge Land, Zemlya Bunge in Russian, a 2,400-square-mile desert north of the Arctic Circle. And no one is entirely sure how it got there.

Juliet's Balcony

Even though Juliet Capulet is a fictional character created by Shakespeare, millions worship her as a love goddess. Every year tourists from around the globe flock to Verona just to see the balcony where she was wooed by her Romeo. In reality the building dates from the 12th- century, and the balcony belongs to the aptly named La Casa di Giulietta, or House of Juliet, the former home of the Cappello family and the inspiration for the Capulets.

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