Plymouth, MA Edition

1. Historically, Plymouth was spelled a number of ways, as there were no fixed rules. The spelling "Plimoth" is an old fashioned spelling, originally used by Governor William Bradford in his history of the colony, "Of Plimoth Plantation." The spelling "Plymouth" is a modern spelling and now "Plimoth" is used to designate historical sites.

2. It is possible to weaponize hamburgers. They are stealthily labeled as "cheese stuffed burgers." One should be on guard at all times around these burgers.

3. There is no official historical documentation that Plimoth Rock was anything significant---121 years after the Pilgrims landed, an old man (95-year-old Elder Faunce) pointed at that rock and said "This is where they first landed!" Officials believed him, said "Hurray for this rock!" and now we celebrate it today.

4. Plymouth has the oldest continuously inhabited street (which is one of the first streets) in North America. It is creatively named "First Street." It was probably named such after the creation of a second street, which was probably named "The Other Street."

5. The term "plantation" originally meant "settlement" rather than "farm" because people were "planted" in a new location to settle there and establish colonies. The earliest plantations of this type were in Ireland.

Friends NYC Edition

1. 'Friends' was originally titled 'Six of One.' Other titles considered were 'Across the Hall,' 'Friends Like These,' and 'Insomnia Cafe.' 

2. Amtrak is unreliable. Our train home is disabled and our faith is waning.

3. There is an Irish Hunger Memorial on the bank of the Hudson River to remind Irish-American citizens of their heritage when ancestors were forced to emigrate during the Irish potato famine. It is gorgeous and easily missed.

4. Ham can be eaten at all meals of the day. It IS that good.

5. The Central Perk pop up has THE iconic couch from the film set. It is super worn and a little abused but still amazing.

6. Walking 10 miles in one day wears you out. Fast.

7. Friends season 2 is the only one without a Thanksgiving episode.

Washington D.C. Edition

DAY ONE

Things I learned on vacation: Part 1

1. Just 32 years after the Wright Flyer, we had commercial airlines.

2. Amelia Earhart didn't disappear alone. Her navigator Fred Noonan also vanished, but no one remembers him. I want to create a "Remember Fred Noonan" Foundation or something. Poor dude.

3. Alan Shepard was the American in space, but we remember John Glenn because he was the first American to orbit the Earth.

4. Because early airline passengers frequently caught colds and fell ill, all stewardesses had to be registered nurses.

5. The only display plane the Smithsonian has dropped is the 17,000 pound Douglas DC-3 airliner, which is the heaviest suspended plane. It's fine.

6. A "sol" is a Martian day. It is 24 hours and 37 minutes long.

DAY TWO

Things I learned on vacation: Part 2

1. The Star Spangled Banner, the most patriotic song in America, is written to the tune of an 18th century British drinking song. For real.

2. The infamous Pony Express was in operation for less than two years.

3. FDR has the most stylish presidential china. Very tasteful.

4. There is a basketball court literally above the Supreme Court, making it the "highest court" (haha).

5. The American History Museum needs a makeover. The home of cool things such as Dorothy's ruby slippers and a vial from the first batch of the polio vaccine should not look like a children's museum. Just sayin'.

6. Newspapers names (The Post, The Courier, etc.) were originally titled according to their means of delivery.

DAY THREE

Things I learned on vacation: Part 3

1. There is a room called the crypt in the Capitol meant to house Washington's corpse. However, because his will stated he wanted to be buried at Mount Vernon, the crypt remains empty.

2. Lobsters greet other lobsters by urinating on them. Be glad you're not a lobster.

3. The 1st printed book on astronomy was published in 1482.

4. Female pandas are only able to conceive 2 days out of the year.

5. The complete Gutenburg Bible is 3 volumes.

6. When the A/C is broken on a packed train in 91 degree 60% humidity weather, murdering someone for touching you doesn't really feel like it should be a crime.

DAY FOUR

Things I Learned on Vacation: Part 4

1. Captive-bred birds must be taught to migrate before being reintroduced into the wild. They follow a small aircraft piloted by a disguised human.

2. The Concord, breaking the speed of sound traveling at Mach 2, can outfly the rotational speed of the Earth.

3. Space junk is dangerous. Debris from a previous shuttle pierced through 6 of the 7 layers of a shuttle window. The piece of debris? A PAINT CHIP!!

4. A fighter pilot is called an "ace" once he has 5 kills or more.

5. Crystals formed in space have more uniform structual and electrical properties than those formed on Earth.

DAY FIVE

Things I Learned on Vacation: Part 5

1. Very soon, you can 3D print your own life-size T Rex. For real. The Smithsonian is digitally scanning its T Rex skeleton so they can 3D print it to study it in more depth. They will make the scans available, so anyone can create a 3D model. (It doesn't have to be giant.)

2. My left shoelace is plotting my murder. Multiple times, it has untied itself steps before I get on an escaltor, then wanders dangerously close to getting caught and trapping me. There has been no sign of mutiny from my right shoelace, but I remain vigilant.

3. The model mothership used in 'Close Encounters of the Third Kind' had many hidden objects, such as a VW bus, R2D2, and a small cemetery.

4. Jefferson's writing desk was tiny--about the size of a shoebox.

5. The Smithsonian asks each first lady to donate an item to represent herself. Traditionally, she donates her inaugural ball gown though it's not required.

6. When viewing only the skeletons of manta rays, skates, and sting rays, they look disturbingly like the facesuckers from Alien. It is quite unnerving.

Niagara Falls Edition

DAY ONE

Things I've learned on vacation thus far (yes, I am a nerd! :p)....

1. It's spelled NiagAra, not Niagra.

2. The first stunt person over the Falls was a woman. In 1901. With her cat.

3.The job title "Fury Attendent" exists, which is amazing.

4. It was decided the Falls should be illuminated in 1925.

5. Poutine + pulled pork = deliciousness.

6. Logan airport will not serve you liquor before 10 am, not matter how sad you try to look.

7. They make maple syrup here that is illegal in the US.

DAY TWO

Things I learned on vacation (part two):

1. There are actually 3 falls: the Horseshoe Falls, the Bridal Veil Falls, and the American Falls. 

2. Americans aren't super creative at naming things.

3. Canadians have this fancy debit device that makes you decide your tip while your server is standing there, instead of writing it discretely. It is awkward.

4. The Americans shut down our side of the falls for 7 years to conduct a geological study. 

5. If your business is near a natural wonder of the world, you can charge TONS of money for mediocre stuff. 

6. The precise international boundary is always under dispute due to the significant natural erosion of Horseshoe Falls. 

7. Rampant commercialization keeps things cleaner than government funded parks. Parks keep things pristine and natural. Make your own judgments. 

8. Some studies have shown that all the construction and aforementioned commercial efforts are actually impacting the Falls by changing the airflow, causing more "mist days."