Author: Twelve Mile Circle
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Smoots and Potrzebies (Units of Distance)
Recently I expressed my fascination with the “I’m Feeling Geeky” option on Google Map’s Great Circle distance calculator. It calculated the distance between Juneau, Alaska and the Canadian border easily enough in about fifty different units of measurement, only two of which were remotely useful, kilometers and miles. However, cubits and leagues, chains and double-paces,…
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State Capitals Meet Time Zones
I love it when categories collide and take me in entirely unanticipated directions. That’s what happened today. I noticed an interesting external search that bounced against my site: “What 2 state capitals are within 20 miles of a time zone boundary?” I’ve featured time zones many different times. I’ve also focused on the peculiarities of…
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More County Counters
The comedian Groucho Marx reputedly stated, “I don’t care to belong to any club that will have me as a member.” I must profess more than a passing sympathy with that point of view. I’ve never been much of a joiner, and I prefer to follow solo pursuits. This very blog is an example. I…
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New Jersey Highpoint
We mounted an expedition to the highest point of natural elevation in the entire state of New Jersey on the way back from our recent visit to Maine after being notified of its proximity to our intended route(1). This feature is found in the far northwestern corner of the state along the Kittatinny Mountain ridge…
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A Week in Maine, Part III
I’m quickly approaching the end of my way-to-brief holiday to Maine’s midcoast region. There’s time for one more set of vignettes and then I’ll get back to all the geo-oddities I’ve held in reserve awaiting my return. We spent another day relaxing on the water followed by a day meandering our way further up the…
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A Week in Maine, Part II
We set up shop in the town of Rockland, in the heart of Maine’s midcoast region (map). This is a great staging point for daylong excursions up and down the waterfront, and out among the scattered islands accessible only by ferry. Days are pleasant, nights are cool, and light ocean breezes refresh the soul. I’ve…
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A Week in Maine, Part I
Twelve Mile Circle has a split personality, part travelogue part geo-oddity freak show. I’m in Maine at the moment so I will be focusing on the former. Those of you who enjoy the trivia better than the travel may want to check back in about a week. I’m about to embark on a series of…
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Place Name Palindromes
A palindrome is a word or phrase that is identical whether read forward or backward. Simple examples would include the words MOM and DAD. I love palindromes and wondered if I could combine this concept with some odd geography. I soon discovered that truly every esoteric subject has a home on Wikipedia when I found…
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Just How Wide is Hudson Bay, Really?
Everything about Canada is larger than life. It’s difficult to wrap one’s mind around its incredible breadth and scale. I came across a tantalizing fact that I thought might help conceptualize its vastness. Actually it’s a clever little illusion, some geography-slight-of-hand. In fact I think it’s more enjoyable as a mind-bender than as a trivia…
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More Strange Signs
I naturally want to stop for a photo whenever I come across an odd sign. This isn’t a new fixation – I’ve posted a batch before. So this is the latest installment. I won’t be discussing anything intellectual or educational today. Simply sit back and enjoy. Florida Panthers; not just a hockey team I would…