2014's Previously on Previously on Driveway Cam




Wednesday December 31st, 2014 ~ Last day of a year that we don't mind seeing the back end of (sorry all you grammarians out there) ~ But before it leaves we want to wish Drew the Happiest of Birthdays! In honor of him, and his ability to still count to 10 (!), we've bumped the refresh rate back to every 10 minutes (we were doing 9 in honor of Lexi's birthday but a change is warranted) :) You can celebrate the New Year all around the world using these links to the firework displays all around the world ~ as well as celebrate the end of the year, Drew's birthday, and all of the great people that we all have in our lives and deserve a round-the-clock party! So here is to a new year, old and new family, old and new friends, and of course to the views ~ we'll be looking at you world in 2015 ~ (which is what year it just turned in Sidney!!!)



Tuesday December 30th, 2014 ~ (will be back as soon as we can be...... meanwhile, enjoy the snow (yay!) and the views ~ )

Wednesday December 17th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Birthday to Haydon today!!! Hope it is a wonderful day for you Haydon and the start of an amazing year. It was certainly the start of some amazing things when the Wright Brothers (in Haydon's honor of course) completed their first successful flight at Kitty Hawk this very day back in 1903. That 12 seconds and 120ft distance changed everything. So a quick look at Kitty Hawk and then it's off to the views which this time of year really need to include the snow watching sites, the fairs in Europe, the hunt for penguin chicks, along with any of the other seasonal views in addition to your usual view hopping. The blurb division is taking a few days off but the driveway cam should keep working, and the other cams out there will be available too. So enjoy the views and we'll be back in a few days ~

Tuesday December 16th, 2014 ~ Once again we come to another Pinkies Up Day as it was 241 years ago today that we (the totally non royal we in this case!) held the first (and some say best) Boston Tea Party ~ so throw some tea into some boiling water today, unless you are a purest and want to head down to a harbor, and raise a cup (or two) in the general direction of England. Peppermint or Cranberry teas make lovely 'Thanks for taxing us into existence' brews this time of year :) And both are lovely brews for viewing this time of year as well, so enjoy a cuppa while checking out the snow, the fairs, the penguins, any of the seasonal views, and all of the other views as well.

Monday December 15th, 2014 ~ "Stand before the people you fear and speak your mind - even if your voice shakes. When you least expect it, someone may actually listen to what you have to say." ~ Maggie Kuhn. And today is the perfect time to speak your mind ~ even if your voice shakes ~ to celebrate the 223rd Anniversary of the Bill of Rights becoming law. While that trumps almost anything we can think of today is also the 402nd anniversary of the day Simon Marius, namer of Jupiter's 4 inner satellites, became the first person to observe the Andromeda galaxy through a telescope. We hope you enjoy your right to view, and that amid whatever views we have today, we all find something previously unseen to us ~

Sunday December 14th, 2014 ~ First things first ~ it's HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ADAM DAY TODAY!!!! Hope it's a very happy day and the start of a great year for you Adam!!!! There was another first this day back in 1911 when Roald Amundsen became the first explorer to reach the South Pole. There was also a last this day back in 1972 when the last moonwalk took place ~ the mission was Apollo 17, and it was the longest and most successful of all the Apollo missions. Commander Eugene Cernan holds the distinction of being the last person to set foot on the Moon (42 years ago!!!). So a couple of quick looks in at the south pole, with another lovely view here, with a check in on the moon as well and then at last ~ it's on to the views ~ Enjoy ~

Saturday December 13th, 2014 ~ It's 12/13/14 ~ we do love days like this (and it's the last consecutive day date this century (so party on!)) ~ and tonight to celebrate, with luck, we may all be able to see a lovely meteor shower as the Earth passes through a stream of debris from "rock comet" 3200 Phaethon ~ forecasters expect to see as many as 120 meteors per hour when the shower peaks on Dec. 13th and 14th. Slide down to the bottom of the page for yesterday's blurb and links and don't forget you can watch the Geminids online as well as listen to them online in case your skies are cloudy. A magnetic storm happening out there might make the Aurora Cams fun viewing as well (they are below the driveway picture). And if you have room in your schedule, be sure to play a game of tic-tac-toe today as it's Tic-Tac-Toe Day and, of course, the last one of those this century too! So get out there and nought some crosses!!!! (the other side of the pond, due to their date configurations, celebrated their last one of the century last year)(but we hope they will join in the party anyway). On to the views ~

Friday December 12th, 2014 ~ It was 113 years ago today that radio waves were first sent across the Atlantic ~ Marconi insisted that the curvature of the earth wouldn't stop them despite the prevalent theories at the time. He and the theories were both right. He did get the morse signal for the letter "S" to travel more than 2,000 miles from Poldhu in Cornwall, England, to Newfoundland, Canada tho' it was said it couldn't be done ~ but the signal did so by first heading off into space when it then bounced back down off the ionosphere. Other things flinging about the skies this weekend include the Geminids ~ that lovely winter meteor shower that should peak this weekend! It won't be Santa and Reindeer out there but the meteors should dash across the sky at a rate of anywhere from 20 to 60 per hour on December 13 and 14. Head outside around 8:00 (dressed warmly and have some hot chocolate!) and look up! The Geminids hit the atmosphere at around 20 miles (30 kilometers) per second, creating beautiful long arcs across the sky—many lasting a second or two. Happy viewing ~ meteor shower is online for watching and/or listening in case your skies are cloudy ~

Thursday December 11th, 2014 ~ Running late ~ there are snowflakes outside and hopefully today we will achieve snowflaking inside too. Enjoy the views ~

Wednesday December 10th, 2014 ~ The Nobel Prizes are being awarded in Stockholm starting at 10:20 (am) EST, which is 4:20 (pm) CET in Stockholm and you can watch right here. It was on this day in 1906 that Teddy Roosevelt became the first American to win the Nobel Peace Prize (in case you were wondering). Today is also the birthdays of Emily Dickinson, and Huckleberry Finn ~ first published on this date 130 years ago!! (and for you sticklers out there (we see your hands up and waving) it was first published on this date in England and Canada, but not published in this country until the following February). And it is the birthday of the man who helps us find all of them and more in the library ~ so cake and ice cream all around for Melvil Dewey too!! However, the real story and joy this morning is the snow ~ we are supposed to get just a bit today and we couldn't be happier about it (unless of course we were going to get more than a bit and then we'd be more than a bit happier...but we digress) Enjoy the views ~

Tuesday December 9th, 2014 ~ It is Take Your Mouse to lunch day as it was 46 years ago today that the first demonstration of the use of a computer mouse was given by Doug Engelbart (it's inventor). He, and a small team of researchers from the Stanford Research Institute, stunned the computing world with their extraordinary debut of the computer mouse, graphical user interface, display editing and integrated text and graphics, hyper-documents, and two-way video-conferencing with shared workspaces. All of which help bring you drivewaycam each and every (poetic license people, don't roll your eyes) day. It is also the birthday of one of the people who helped invent the modern computer and also, directly or indirectly, got us to this very post on this very day ~ Grace Hopper! (thank you Grace). And because of the penchant of the blurb division to sleep in a quick note that tomorrow the Nobel Prizes are being awarded in Stockholm ~ it's always a wonderful ceremony to watch, which you can, right here. There are also ongoing talks there to check out here if you want to take a break from cat videos (which we are pretty sure Englebart, his team, and almost certainly Hopper, did not envision) :) Enjoy ~

Monday December 8th, 2014 ~ Hope you are enjoying all the seasonal views ~ it's a balmy 30 degrees at the nesting site in Antarctica (which is warmer than it is here at the moment), the Christmas Goat in Sweden survived another weekend, and the fairs are bustling as we try to hit the week running (before the week hits us at a gallop). But before we all head out to some bustling of our own... a Very Happy Birthday to James Thurber! A major favorite here on the driveway ~ we'll take a look in at Columbus (his hometown) and here is a link to some reading for your breaks in viewing ~ Enjoy! ~



Sunday December 7th, 2014 ~ Here is a surprise ~ we are running late! So without further (?) ado ~ it's on to the views. Enjoy!!!

Saturday December 6th, 2014 ~ A very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Christopher today!!!!! We all hope it's a great day and the start of an excellent year for you Chris!!!!!! It was in your honor, albeit a little ahead of you, (Truman was very forward thinking) that on this day in 1947 then President Truman dedicated the Everglades National Park ~ so we're off to them for a quick view or two. Here from this lovely view of the Anhinga Trail as well as from here in Fort Lauderdale. Also in your honor (again...forward thinking pays off) the Washington Post was published for the very first time on this day in 1877, and (so very fitting for you Christopher!) the first installment of the Encyclopedia Britannica came out on this day in 1768, (with a new section released every week until last installment came out in 1771). It also wouldn't be December 6th without highlighting one of our favorite links given to us by Chris ~ you all know it and love it too ~ The Jefferson Co. KY Clerks waiting rooms! A great day of viewing to all ~

Friday December 5th, 2014 ~ Simply beautiful ~ and we are 1 step closer to Mars! (larger views of pictures by clicking on them)



Thursday December 4th, 2014 ~ Unfortunately the launch didn't happen this morning ~ but they are going to try again tomorrow morning! 7:05 launch is planned, coverage on NASA TV, and right here, starts at 6:00 am eastern. Hopefully.... Meanwhile, once again it's Hat's Off Day!! ~ for Chester Greenwood, on his birthday ~ (Chester is the guy who, at 15, designed and patented earmuffs) ~ with over 100 patents to his name he is ranked by the Smithsonian Institution as one of America's 15 outstanding inventors. Chester Greenwood Day (complete with Parade...one of these days we'll get there) is this Saturday in case you are in town (said town being Farmington Maine). [If you perhpas happen to be in Russell KY today ~ be sure to go to their Christmas Parade!] And because it is also National Cookie Day (which we think is everyday) we are bringing back out a couple of recipes in Chester's honor: these and of course these too! ~ Enjoy both making and eating these cookies, along with the views ~

Wednesday December 3rd, 2014 ~ Busy day today ~ first up a Happy 196th Anniversary of Statehood to Illinois!!! (we swear you don't look a day over 195) Next up (grid willing) is the first Orion test launch! This inaugural Orion ~ scheduled for a 7:05 a.m. EST lift-off tomorrow (so we're telling you now) ~ will carry no crew during the 4½-hour test flight and will be confined to Earth orbit. "But it will aim for a high point of 3,600 miles on the second loop of the planet, setting the spacecraft up for a 20,000-mph, 4,000-degree re-entry. Splashdown will occur in the Pacific, 600 miles southwest of San Diego" . Our last trip to the moon (and the last crewed capsule to leave Earth's immediate vicinity) was Apollo 17's launch on Dec. 7, 1972 ~ it's time we get back out there!!!! You can watch all the activity on NASA TV, and right here. And just in time (so to speak) the new countdown clock is installed and working (although the PC here is fighting me about showing it at the moment... hope you have better luck!) Fingers crossed for Orion and enjoy the views, which hopefully will include people on Mars before too long (2035 isn't that far away you know) !!

Tuesday December 2nd, 2014 ~ A very Happy Birthday to Amy today!!!! Hope it's the start of a great year for you Amy ~ in your honor the Geminids Meteor shower is getting underway a little early. It doesn't peak until the 14th but is showing up (see http://spaceweather.com) already just to celebrate! The Auroras are going to be kicking it up a bit tonight, and the next couple of nights, in Amy's honor too (check out the aurora cams below the driveway picture). And last, for even more celebrating today, the Seasonal Links (aka Holiday Links) are ready! They are also posted under the driveway pictures. So cake and great viewing (inside and out) all around ~

Monday December 1st, 2014 ~ It's December on the Driveway! We are working to get the Holiday Links vetted for the season (as they say) and will get those posted this evening ~ meanwhile the rush to Christmas begins. Yay! Enjoy all the views today as you plot your pathway to the end of the year, and as you perhaps partake in Cyber Monday. Until the seasonal links are up ~ here is a look at the worlds tallest lighted Christmas Tree in Blue River, Oregon ~ live ~ and a peek in at a Christmas Market in Monschau Germany (both new views to drivewaycam) ~ A quick look in at a pendulum ~ this being the 163rd anniversary of the day Napoleon Bonaparte ordered that Foucault's pendulum demonstration cease, flexing his little (but strong) muscles on his first steps towards becoming emperor. Now it's time to get to the first steps in December ~ break out the peppermint tea and Enjoy!

Sunday November 30th, 2014 ~ November is leaving (here anyway) like a lamb this year as temperatures are supposed to soar into the 50's! That isn't the case everywhere as there are wind chill warnings up in the Plains and gale warnings on the northern Great Lakes (and in Alaska, and high wind warnings on most of the coasts) ~ so there is weather to watch out there, just not here today! And with the lull in the winter like conditions we are heading out to get our Christmas tree hopefully, and maybe even get some lights put on the bushes...it all could happen, and you'll see it here in 9 minute increments. Before we go a very Happy Birthday to Winston Churchill and Mark Twain (who was only 39 years older than Churchill!)(that sort of surprised us) who couldn't be with us in person today but we wish them well anyway, and of course thank them for the excuse for cake and ice cream! Also, today the Christmas Goat debuted for the season in Sweden ~ how long will it last? Who knows, better check it out while it's still there! Enjoy the views ~

Saturday November 29th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Birthday to Cheryl and Mary Quinn! (hope it's the start of a great year for you both) And also to Louisa May Alcott (and her Dad Amos), and to Madeleine L'Engle ~ Cake all around!!! Today is also Square Dancing Day ~ who knew? (we did not, just found out) So we'll do-si-do out of here and leave you to enjoy the views with your cake while you allemande right ~ "Life, my brethren, is like plum-cake" ~ Louisa May Alcott from An Old Fashioned Girl (chapter XVII. Playing Grandmother)

Friday November 28th, 2014 ~ The blurb division was either out shopping early this morning or merely sleeping in ~ we don't know which, we just know they didn't show up to blurb. So a quick catch up blurb (over a lovely plate of leftovers) to say Happy Birthday to Alan Lightman, who is turning 66 today (if you haven't read Dance for Two...today would be a great time to do so)(can't find it online, but your library will no doubt have it, as does almost any bookstore...or stop by for some pie and you can borrow the copy here!) and Happy Birthday to Jon Stewart (he's 52 today) and last but certainly not least ~ a very Happy 432nd Anniversary to Bill and Anne Shakespeare! Here's to many more birthdays and anniversaries all around! Enjoy the views (and the leftovers.........)

Thursday November 27th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Thanksgiving to all. We wish you could all join us for dinner, or at least for some pie. We'll be thinking about each of you and hope your views today are warm, and tasty! (And not of rest areas on highways or pre-boarding areas of airports) With parades and cooking feasts to watch you may not have time for driveway and other cam viewing (you can of course watch the Macy's parade online in between your other viewing ~ right here) ~ but there are some lovely views out there where ever you look so enjoy and let the eating begin!

Wednesday November 26th, 2014 ~ Well it's here ~ the busiest grocery shopping day of the year. We will be entering the belly of the beast ourselves at least once, but probably several times today as pumpkin pie construction gets underway. We hope the weather holds where ever you are to allow you to get what you need for tomorrow, and to get where you are going for tomorrow. If you are heading out on the road ~ be careful out there! And if you are staying in... well the same applies! Enjoy the views ~

Tuesday November 25th, 2014 ~ Running late again..... but before we dash off into the views ~ Here's to you Joe DiMaggio! Today is the 100th Birthday of the Yankee Clipper and over-rated (!?) or not here is to cake all around (and to some humming that we try, but can't avoid)(and may we just add how much we hate the ads on YouTube?). Hey, hey, hey............
enjoy the views ~

Monday November 24th, 2014 ~ Spring has sprung today (very limited engagement but here today none the less) and with the 60+ temperatures comes a high wind warning as well. Gusts up to 60+ as well they are saying ~ so you could see just about anything blow past the driveway. Might as well check out views in all the windy spots all over the place ~ including even interpretively! or a favorite that is a bit more locally minded... hang on to your hats and enjoy the views ~



Sunday November 23rd, 2014 ~ If your weather is sub-par today you can stay inside and watch the skies as the launch of the next mission to the ISS will be showing. Seems fitting since today is also the day 90 years ago that astronomer Edwin Hubble announced his discovery of the first galaxy outside our Milky Way. With that discovery he blew open the known boundaries of the universe and went on to discover 23 more galaxies amid all the others that would be (and are still being) found. Many thanks Edwin and here are some of the views you made possible for us. The NASA TV coverage will start at 3 p.m. EST including pre-launch activities leading up to spacecraft boarding. The launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan is at 4:01 p.m. today. (3:01 a.m. Monday, Nov. 24 in Baikonur). Around 11:30 p.m., hatches between the Soyuz and the station will be opened and expedition 42 Commander Barry Wilmore of NASA, will greet the members of Expedition 43. Hatch opening coverage begins on NASA TV at 11 p.m. So make some cookies, pop some corn, heat up some cider, brew some tea ~ there is a full day of viewing, and billions and billions of views, waiting for you ~ Enjoy!

Saturday November 22nd, 2014 ~ The weekend before Thanksgiving is upon us and the hunting and gathering and treks to the grocery store begin! (around more organized driveways that probably began a while ago but....) And since November is National Peanut Butter Lovers Month we're thinking a loaf, or two (!) of Pumpkin Peanut Butter Bread is in order (how could it not be?). Not that it will help with the melting (and potential flooding) that is coming towards Buffalo but snow belt folks may be wanting to celebrate that it is the anniversary of the first U.S. patent for a snowmobile, issued to Carl J.E. Eliason of Saynor, Wisconsin (No. 1,650,334), back in 1927. You can find many cameras looking for snowmobiles in Wisconsin right here (a site (and sight) familiar to regular snow watching links viewers). Whatever device you use to be mobile today... be safe out there and enjoy the views ~

Thursday November 20th, 2014 ~ A little snow to grace our driveway ~ nothing like the slamming that the areas around Buffalo are getting (although we would take some of that if we could to lighten their load). And pinkies up for a quick Happy 67th (!!!!!) anniversary to Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip! Pints (or some tea) all around and here's to many more!!! For weather watching check out the map first and then head off to that coast or that part of the country for viewing (using the snow watching links, or any of the links in those areas). Stay warm and enjoy the views ~

Wednesday November 19th, 2014 ~ Quite the flag waving day today as it is the 151st anniversary of Lincoln's Gettysburg Address, as well as the day 153 years ago that Mrs. Julia Ward Howe sat down and wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic. Of the 2 we prefer the Gettysburg Address but they are both rather iconic. As is the snow you may have heard about south of Buffalo....Armageddon R Us (the Weather Channel) is in full tilt boogie panic mode and couldn't be happier. It's a strange little channel. Although a great drinking game might be for shots every time they say "lake effect"....just saying. Have a lovely day and remember that politicians (specifically in this case Republicans) used to be able to say things succinctly, that were also understandable. Hard to fathom these days. Enjoy the snow views (and the traffic views of I-90 from Rochester to Erie!) ~

Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal. Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this. But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln November 19, 1863

Tuesday November 18th, 2014 ~ It was 151 years ago this morning that President Abraham Lincoln boarded a train for Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. He managed to catch it on time even though it would be 20 more years (to the day) before the railroads ended the confusion of dealing with thousands of "local" times and began using four continental time zones. At exactly noon on this day, in 1883, American and Canadian railroads put the time zones into effect keeping us much more in sync with each other. Before we head off to look for snow we want to wish Margaret Atwood (poet and novelist extraordinaire), Alan Shepard (America's first man in space), W.S. (William Schwenck) Gilbert (of Gilbert and Sullivan), and Mickey Mouse, who is turning 86 today (and who was "born" 5 years after (!) Alan Shepard (which is an odd fact to think about)) all very Happy Birthdays ~ cake and ice cream all around (and while we do love icing, right now we will just wish for a little extra snow as we blow out the candles!) Enjoy the views ~ and some

pictures from KY ~

Monday November 17th, 2014 ~ All we can say is............... YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Bring out the soup, the sweaters, the shawls, the socks, and the scarves ~ it's snowing! And with the snow, there is joy on the driveway! Please send us pictures of your snow if you are also getting flaked (especially you viewers in Louisville where we noticed some of the white stuff falling). We are off to do the happy dance ~ and then to enjoy the views in person and online ~ we hope you'll join us in both endeavors ~ (Louisville, I64 at 264 this morning)



Sunday November 16th, 2014 ~ The 2014-15 Snow Watching Links are Up and ready to be watched! (and are located below in the table, with the leaf peeping links) With snow expected all over the place, you'll want to check them out, as well as the leaf peeping links, the traffic links, along with the lakes, the shorelines, and any river views in the path of the snow. Any of the other links on drivewaycam that are in the path will work too. You can spend the day watching it snow out your window if you are lucky, or right here on your PC (where no shoveling is required)(just another service of driveway cam) ~ Enjoy the views ~

Saturday November 15th, 2014 ~ Half way through November and still running late ~ oye ~ but we will take time to offer up Happy Birthday's to Petula Clark and will also offer up the Downtowns Views in her honor. (you know you can forget all your troubles and forget all your cares while viewing (and singing) Downtowns!) Enjoy all of the views on this lovely Saturday, don't hang around and let your problems surround you when you can wander them all with abandon and enjoy the trip ~

Friday November 14th, 2014 ~ Still working on vetting the snow links ~ but there is much snow to be seen wandering the links below so you won't miss out. But we don't want to concentrate on the cold and snow (although we love it), because today is the birthday of Louise Brooks! Get thee to the google with her name and you'll have a great day of reading and pictures to review along with your link hopping. A quick reminder that it is whale watch day (in honor of the publishing of Moby-Dick by Herman Melville back in 1851). The white whales may be harder to spot with all the snow blowing about, but if one crosses the driveway you should see it just fine (bereft as we are of flakes here)(quit your snickering) ~ and for goodness sake if you do see one on the driveway...let us know! It is also the birthday of Aaron Copland so enjoy humming Simple Gifts in his honor. Bundle up, grab some hot chocolate, and on to the views ~




Thursday November 13th, 2014 ~ Okay, so we lied about the snow links getting posted ~ maybe later today (?) ~ but you'll want to wander the links we do have for the Pacific Northwest and the High Plains as well as the Mid West as the snows move in, quite heavily in spots. We may even get a flurry here too if we're lucky. So check out the air quality links (in those areas), the traffic links, the various mountain and costal links below, and any others you find as you wander our links, and the 'net in general. (and if you find any you love, please share them!)



Wednesday November 12th, 2014 ~ Today the ESA's Rosetta spacecraft will drop a lander named "Philae" onto the surface of Comet 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko ~ first time EVER that a spacecraft will have landed on a comet. Should be amazing, and we can watch! Check out the live streaming now, here (or also mirrored here.) You can also watch on NASA TV (starting at 9:30AM). Landing signal is due to happen at 16:02 GMT (11:02 am (eastern)). Complete schedule for viewing is here. [Slooh will be showing transmitted images live starting at 2:00 pm (eastern). Did you know that 67P/Churyumov–Gerasimenko has been singing? (you can listen to it's song on that link). When the Philae probe releases from Rosetta it will be the first time in 10 years that it has left the side of Rosetta(!). We have all our fingers crossed that all goes well and that the landing is perfect (okay, we'll take less than perfect, just want it to be a safe landing!) Read more here or google around ~ it's an amazing story and we wish Rosetta, Philae, and The European Space Agency all the best ~ (we're sooooooooo excited!!!). Enjoy!

Tuesday November 11th, 2014 ~ This year is the 100th year anniversary of the start of World War I ~ the war to end all wars. And today is the day it ended back in 1918. If you haven't seen the memorial at the Tower of London, be sure to check out this link, and/or google for more pictures. It's a remarkable and overwhelming tribute to the losses suffered, just in England. It's hard to comprehend the losses world wide. It's a good day for remembering all who have served ~ "At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the Great War ends. At 5 a.m. that morning, Germany, bereft of manpower and supplies and faced with imminent invasion, signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiégne, France. The First World War left nine million soldiers dead and 21 million wounded, with Germany, Russia, Austria-Hungary, France, and Great Britain each losing nearly a million or more lives. In addition, at least five million civilians died from disease, starvation, or exposure. (from This Day in History)"



Monday November 10th, 2014 ~ Such a busy day we don't know where to start...first off it's Women And Cars day as it was 111 years ago today that the patent office awarded U.S. Patent No. 743,801 to a Birmingham, Alabama woman named Mary Anderson for her "window cleaning device for electric cars and other vehicles to remove snow, ice or sleet from the window." (though during her lifetime she was ridiculed for such a useless and potentially accident causing distracting idea). As an aside, in 1917 Charlotte Bridgewood patented an automatic wiper system that used rollers instead of blades and her daughter (actress Florence Lawrence) invented the turn signal. Today is also the 39th anniversary of the disappearance of the Edmund Fitzgerald in a November gale not unlike the one that may be churning up there today or soon (with other views of the north coast here). And last, but by no means least, today is 45th (!!) anniversary of the debut of "Sesame Street" (draw your own conclusions as to celebrating or bemoaning that factoid). Our conclusion is that it's time to get to the views ~

Sunday November 9th, 2014 ~ Busy day today on the driveway, as well as all around (and above) the driveway ~ starting at 3:45 NASA TV (and this link) will provide coverage of the departure of the team of Expedition 41 from the ISS. Full schedule is here, which includes 3:45 p.m. - Farewell and hatch closure coverage. Hatch closure at 4:10 p.m.; 7:15 p.m. - Undocking coverage. Undocking at 7:30 p.m.; 9:45 p.m. - Deorbit burn and landing coverage. Deorbit burn at 10:05 p.m., with landing at 10:58 p.m. Today is also the birthday (would have been his 80th) of astronomer Carl Sagan, now out in the Cosmos. In weather news there is a storm a'brewing in the plains and heading towards you this week pretty much no matter where you live. The snow watching links will be out tomorrow, you can check in on Wyoming, Montana (and Minneapolis we hear) and others with the air quality links or last year's snow links (which haven't been vetted for this year but are out on the retired links page) or as always the traffic links which are eternally fun to watch. So get yourself some hot chocolate brewing and enjoy the views ~ "Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known" ~ Carl Sagan

Saturday November 8th, 2014 ~ Though they never showed up on drivewaycam... there were snow flurries in with the rain yesterday! Much celebrating ensued!! (that was also not on driveway cam, due to an unfortunate court order). However, there was stay-on-the-ground-and-look-beautiful-snow up in the hills (see pictures below), which you can check in on right here at Bristol Mt. Still cold today so keep the covers on while enjoying the views. Enjoy some birthday cake and ice-cream too for English astronomer Edmond Halley, who was born in Shoreditch, London, in 1656. Didn't find a camera in Shoreditch, but this one is only 18 miles away and is live of St. Albans, and it's always fun to watch what is going on there. Halley did more than name a comet (which he never got to see, it returned exactly when he predicted it would, but he died years before it came back that Christmas Day in 1758) ~ He produced the first actuarial tables, published the first meteorological chart, captained a British Navy vessel on a scientific expedition, and established accurate latitude and longitude measurements for his various ports of call. He determined the distance from the Earth to the Sun based on his observations of the planet Venus as it passed in front of the Sun. As well as invented two types of undersea diving bells. (with thanks to Writer's Almanac) And at this point, he would have been on to the views, so we are too.... Enjoy ~



Friday November 7th, 2014 ~ On this rather overcast and rainy Friday we think some hot Miso Soup would be lovely, to fight the weather and any radiation that might be lurking out there in honor of the birthday of Marie Sklodowska Curie. Madam Curie discovered the mysterious element radium which opened the door to deep changes in the way scientists think about matter and energy as well as led the way to a new era for medical knowledge and the treatment of diseases. It is also delicious soup to celebrate other birthdays today including those of Albert Camus and Joni Mitchell ~ so triple the batch as you enjoy the views ~

Thursday November 6th, 2014 ~ Apparently today is National Nachos Day!?! So it's off to Piedra Negras, Mexico where they are said to have originated. Couldn't find any camera of Piedra Negras, but found those 4 with views from Piedra Negras. Today is also the day of the full Frost (or Beaver) Moon, full at 5:23 pm eastern this evening. This night the full moon shines from dusk until dawn … unless you live north of the Arctic Circle. (that far north, the moon simulates the midnight sun, staying out for 24 hours around the clock.) There is also much wind to watch today as there are strong winds off the coast of Alaska that will be here next week ~ always fun to watch their travels. And, before we head to the views, a quick Happy 200th Birthday today to Antoine-Joseph Sax who invented the saxophone! Busy day of viewing ahead ~ Enjoy ~



Wednesday November 5th, 2014 ~ Remember, Remember the 5th of November ~ Gun Powder, Treason, and Plot!!! That's right, it's Guy Fawkes Day(Night)! So build your bonfires and party on! Here is a quick look in at the Parliament buildings that did not get blown up this day back in 1605. And if you want to check in on what is going on inside those said same Houses of Parliament ~ you can, right here, live (it won't disappoint). And now it's off to gather wood for the bonfire.... Enjoy ~

Tuesday November 4th, 2014 ~ Vote early, vote often, but get out and vote ~ only if you are registered of course ~ and when not voting..... enjoy the views!

Sunday November 2nd, 2014 ~ It's a beautiful sun-shiny day (even if it is a little windy and cold) for the 2nd day of November. We got to see Hannah (and Dan) on the Bourbon Street Web Cam last night! You can keep an eye out for them too right here. Enjoy all the views today as you adjust to the extra hour of daylight we have (?) ~

Saturday November 1st, 2014 ~ November blew in this morning as October was heading for the hills ~ and it brought some rain and cooler temperatures with it. It also brought with it the 21st birthday of the European Union which went into effect this day back in 1993 [12 countries ratified the Maastricht Treaty on European Union: Great Britain, France, Germany, the Irish Republic, Spain, Portugal, Italy, Greece, Denmark, Luxembourg, Belgium, and the Netherlands ~ with others joining later]. And in 1930 a couple of nations joined together as well when the Detroit Windsor Tunnel was dedicated by President Herbert Hoover who turned a telegraphic "golden key" in the White House to mark the opening of the 5,160-foot-long tunnel. We like to check in on the tunnel and the international comings and going there along with checking all the other November views today ~ Enjoy ~

Friday October 31st, 2014 ~ Jack-o-lanterns are ready here ~ hope they are at your house too! We'd love to see pictures (a not too thinly veiled plea to see your completed carvings) ~ Meanwhile, it's Halloween!!! Who knows what may appear on, over, or come up through the driveway today. You'll know, in 9 minute increments, and if you see anything untoward please let us know!!!! You can also watch for ghosts here if you can tear yourself away from the driveway. Have a frightfully good day and enjoy whatever views may sneak up on you and say BOO!!!!



Thursday October 30th, 2014 ~ Somehow the week went by with the blurb division in a blur. And not because of an invasion of Martians is underway (as Orson Wells convinced the nation on this very day 76 years ago today with his radio broadcast of War of the Worlds!), no matter what they try to tell you. They are currently writing "lines" in the corner ("we will show up for work" 500 times) so for the rest of us it's clear sailing, with actual real time views of the driveway, and with voting on your favorite Halloween candy: (vote early, vote often for) ~ Butterfingers; or Snickers; or Reese's; or Milky Way; or 100,000 Grand; or Kit-Kat; or All of the Previous...and more!; and practicing pumpkin carving online before carving your pumpkins if you haven't already! Carving will be happening this side of the driveway this evening. If you are in the neighborhood.... stop by for some cider and donuts and pumpkin seeds! Happy All Hallows Eve Eve ~

Sunday October 26th, 2014 ~ Today is the 189th anniversary of the opening of the Erie Canal. So if you've got a mule and her name is Sal....take her to lunch! If not you can still have lunch at a number of places along the 360 miles of canal, or you can just check in on it here. And since today is not only National Pumpkin Day but also Howl at the Moon Day it's time to head out to the pumpkin patch to see what's taking shape. One of our favorite collections of ideas each year is Extreme Pumpkins ~ this site has some great (and scary) ones too. So it is pumpkin lattes, bread, and soup all around and enjoy the views

Saturday October 25th, 2014 ~ At some point soon we hope to be back to regular (daily even) updates ~ but luckily the blurb division fought their way in today because it's St. Crispin's Day (for the patron saints of cobblers) ~ when the Battle of Agincourt was fought in 1415 ~ and as Will once mentioned about the day..." Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by, From this day to the ending of the world, but we in it shall be remember'd;" Poetic allowances aside, a toast all around today for all of us on this lovely St. Crispin's Day. While throughout history this has been quite the day in fighting history...it is also the 160th anniversary of that famous knitting battle The Charge of the Light Brigade; and it is the 153rd anniversary of the day the keel of the Union ironclad Monitor is laid at Greenpoint, New York changing naval warfare forever.... may we suggest an approach more to gentle all our conditions? A look in, perhaps, at the restoration of the very same Monitor at our favorite Turret Cam site. Or maybe some light reading on some knitting, or perhaps sort through your shoes and make a donation of some of them (or maybe even buy a new pair to donate) ~ whatever our merry band of viewers gets up to today we hope you all enjoy the views ~

Wednesday October 22th, 2014 ~ In just a few minutes (it's 8:27 now, show starts at 9:AM (EDT)) NASA Television will broadcast live coverage of a six-hour spacewalk by two Russian crew members aboard the International Space Station. Honestly it doesn't get more entertaining when it comes to space walks than it does with the Russians. And tomorrow, at sunset, there is going to be a partial eclipse of the sun. It will be visible from all of the United States except Hawaii and New England. Coverage ranges from 12% in Florida to nearly 70% in Alaska. Weather permitting, almost everyone in North America will be able to see the crescent. Both the Meteor shower and the eclipse will be shown on Slooh's website so you won't have to miss either one. (times are on the website). Today is also, just as an aside, the anniversary of the very first parachute jump of note which was made by André-Jacques Garnerin from a hydrogen balloon 3,200 feet above Paris, back in 1797. So for Garnerin, enjoy watching leaves fall, astronauts not fall, and anything else that might wander into view today ~

Monday October 20th, 2014 ~ There is a lot going on is space this week ~ Earth is entering a stream of debris from Halley's Comet, which brings us the annual Orionid meteor shower. Forecasters expect the shower to peak before dawn (which is why we mention it now) tomorrow, Tuesday, Oct. 21st.; while on Wednesday, October 22, starting at 9:AM (EDT) NASA Television will broadcast live coverage of a six-hour spacewalk by two Russian crew members aboard the International Space Station which is always great entertainment; and finally at sunset on the 23rd (we'll remind you again) there is going to be a partial eclipse of the sun. It will be visible from all of the United States except Hawaii and New England. Coverage ranges from 12% in Florida to nearly 70% in Alaska. Weather permitting, almost everyone in North America will be able to see the crescent. Both the Meteor shower and the eclipse will be shown on Slooh's website so you won't have to miss either one. (times are on the website). And because this is the anniversary of the opening of the Sydney Opera House ~ a look in before going off to the other views ~ Enjoy ~

Sunday October 19th, 2014 ~ Big day on Mars today as Comet C/2013 A1, also known as comet Siding Spring, will pass within about 87,000 miles (139,500 kilometers) of the Red Planet ~ less than one-tenth the distance of any known comet flyby of Earth. The comet is about the size of an Appalachian Mountain. This an event that only happens once every million years, and scientists are waiting with anticipation. Everyone on Mars (!) will be watching (from protected advantages) and we can watch too thanks to the wonderful folks at Slooh. They will be hosting two shows of the event: The first show "Close Call — Comet Siding Spring zips by Mars" will begin at 2:15 EDT (11:15 PDT). The second show "Comet Siding Spring — The Outcome" will start at 8:30 pm EDT (5:30 pm PDT). You can watch both shows live on Slooh's website. Other Web casts are at: Astronomer Gianluca Masi will broadcast from the virtualtelescope.eu observatory (broadcast starts at 11:45 EST / 16:45 UT) ESA Livestream with lots of experts (broadcast starts at 1:50 EST / 17:50 UT) ~ Keep your heads up (or at least your monitors on) and enjoy this amazing view (along with all the others) ~

Friday October 17th, 2014 ~ Today is the 3rd of 5 Fridays in October; it is the day that in 1956 the Queen opened Calder Hall, which was the first gas-cooled, and Britain's first ever, nuclear power station; and, as it turns out, it is also the date back in 1604, that Johannes Kepler witnessed the last supernova ever observed in the Milky Way! So keep your eyes peeled ~ you never know what you might be seeing the first, or last, or 3rd of today ~ in general or while out wandering the views! Enjoy!

Thursday October 16th, 2014 ~ It is National Feral Cat Day once again ~ so take a feral cat to lunch (and to get neutered). It is also World Dictionary Day on the birthday of Noah Webster born this day in 1758. Noah worked tirelessly to give this new country it's own voice (and is the man we can thank for CENTRE being CENTER on this side of the pond! (if only we could shake his hand)). After publishing a first book on standardizing American pronunciation and spelling he then spent 45 years researching his dictionary. From Writer's Almanac (with thanks): "During that time, he traveled abroad, read countless original sources, and taught himself 26 languages in order to better understand English. The dictionary contained 70,000 entries, thousands of which had never appeared in a dictionary before. He added new American words like skunk, chowder, and squash. He simplified some spellings, like musick (he dropped the "k,"); and others he made more phonetic, like changing centre to end in "er" instead of "re," or changing plough to plow with a "w." Some of his changes didn't catch on, like changing women to wimmen, or tongue to tung." We have it on good authority (okay, so we are making it up but that doesn't mean it isn't true) that Noah loved all cats and was a big support of the Trap-Neuter-Release program for feral cats. :) While you ponder that, and wander through a dictionary today, don't forget to enjoy the views ~

Wednesday October 15th, 2014 ~ A rainy start to this Wednesday on the driveway which is good because it will keep down the hordes of killer bees that began their assault on the US this day back in 1990, when they spread up from Mexico into the first state to be affected, Texas, specifically, into the city of Hidalgo. You can watch today's arrivals and departures to and from Hidalgo right here (click on the white arrow in the blue box below the eye). You can also just watch some bees right here. And if you accidently run into some killer bees (yep, they are still around, and still moving north, although none have ever been seen on the driveway, so you are perfectly safe viewing it) here are some tips on what to do ~ Enjoy ~

tuesday october 14th, 2014 ~ monday may have been a blur ~ tho' drivewaycam managed to keep it in focus ~ but today we're going to focus on e.e.cummings who would be turning 120. happy birthday e.e.! writer's almanac said that at his death in 1962, he was the second most widely read poet in america, after robert frost. we'd like to encourage that trend with a link to some of his works ~ and hope you will take time out during your viewing to enjoy some of the views of his poetry (they are fun just to look at even if you don't read them) (not the first poet to use a typewriter, he was certainly one of the first to understand it's potential). hope it's a poem of a day for all of us ~ cake all around and enjoy the views ~ listen; there's a hell of a good universe next door: let's go. ~ e. e. cummings

Sunday October 12th, 2014 ~ Today is supposed to be perfect weather for leaf peeping ~ there is frost on the lawn (and on the pumpkins!) this morning, and it's supposed to warm up to the mid 70's by afternoon. So some of us are heading out to do some on site leaf peeping, instead of online. Although...we will be online too with a lovely prize to anyone who finds us (and copies the picture to send in) out there. We are going to Bristol Mt to take the Sky Ride ~ There are 4 cameras there, there will be 7 of us going (in chronological order we are: Jim, Deb, Amy, Em, James, Haydon, Lindsey), and we should be there around 1:00(ish). There are also Scottish Games going on there today so it should be good viewing no matter what. Hopefully you can get out for some peeping too ~ but online or off... Enjoy the views ~

Saturday October 11th, 2014 ~ It's a beautiful autumn day here on (and about) the driveway ~ and with any luck we'll get a blurb posted AND the drivewaycam back up and working. Meanwhile, get out and leaf peep when you can, or stay in and peep here. Today is moving day for Ms. Hannah and we wish her good weather and few bruises! Today is also the birthday of the man who founded the YMCA, Sir George Williams, who was born in 1821 in Dulverton, England. You can check in on a lovely view of the YMCA in the Rockies while humming Happy Birthday (or whatever song may be stuck in your head) if you like. Enjoy the day and the views ~



Thursday October 9th, 2014 ~ Hit and Miss (the 2 folks that seem to make up the blurb division) made it in this morning, just. And it was just in time to wish everyone a Happy Leif Ericson Day!. So take a Norseman to lunch and then explore the shores of the American Continent in person (please send us postcards) or from the driveway (either way you can always send postcards) via the many links found all over driveway cam as well as the costal ones specifically: the South Coast Waves ~ the East Coast Waves ~ the West Coast Waves ~ and of course the ~ North Coast Waves. And we can't resist, sorry ~ if you want to do some leif peeping along the way we've got you covered (okay quit groaning, we're done now) ~

Tuesday October 7th, 2014 ~ Monday came and went in a blur (and in a stopped driveway cam (sorry!)), but it's on to Tuesday and the 55th anniversary of the dark far side of the Moon being photographed for the first time. The pictures were taken and relayed back to Earth (on October 18th) by Russia's Luna 3 spacecraft. In honor of that, while we won't see the dark side (can't really), early, early tomorrow morning, or late, late tonight, we will see a lunar eclipse! Full information can be found at space.com, and/or at spaceweather.com. And the wonderful folks at Slooh and NASA are doing webcasts online ~ NASA's begins at 3 a.m. EDT (0700 GMT) on Oct. 8, with Slooh's starting at 5 a.m. EDT (0900 GMT). You can watch both lunar eclipse webcasts on Space.com, or directly through Slooh and NASA. So no matter which side of the coin you are on (the stay up late or get up early) get out there (or online here) and enjoy the eclipse and the "selenelion effect," a phenomenon that celestial geometry says cannot happen! Thanks to Earth's atmosphere, the images of both the sun and moon are apparently lifted above the horizon by atmospheric refraction. This allows people on Earth to see the sun for several extra minutes before it actually has risen and the moon for several extra minutes after it has actually set. And speaking on behalf of the people on Earth (and the driveway) we say Yay! map of eclipse:



Sunday October 5th, 2014 ~ Today is the day, back in 1926, that Robert Goddard completed the first successful launch of his liquid-fueled rocket in Auburn, Massachusetts. The rocket reached a height of 41 feet and an average speed of 60 miles per hour, and opened the door for space travel that he had begun dreaming about after reading H.G. Wells' War of the Worlds. He began to plan how to build a rocket in 1899 the year after reading that book (which was published in 1897). Goddard died before space travel became a reality, but we thank him (and H.G.) for it ~ and as it is also Goddard's birthday today we say it's the perfect day for some out of this world cake ~ (WITHOUT the coconut of course!). Have a blast today and enjoy the views ~

Saturday October 4th, 2014 ~ Not only was the day before yesterday not Wednesday, as the blurb division claimed (although if any month could have 2 Wednesdays in one week, then October would be it), they didn't show up for work yesterday (although the intrepid driveway cams did) so today is Saturday. And not only is it Saturday but it's the birthday of the man who started an empire that still sells about 6 million books each year. Those books include his creations ~ Nancy Drew, The Hardy Boys, Dana Girls, Tom Swift, and The Bobbsey Twins. We love Edward L. Stratemeyer (or Carolyn Keene, or Laura Lee Hope, or Victor Appleton, or which ever name you know him by) and hope to have cake for his 152nd birthday today! (maybe even Fat Cake?) So grab one of his many, many books from his legacy (he wrote 150 books on his own before starting up the ghost writing syndicate) and enjoy whatever autumnal views you wander through today ~ and if you are in the neighborhood stop by for some cake and a Nancy Drew book to read, we'll be here....

Wednesday October 2nd, 2014 ~ Birthday cake today for Graham Greene (it feels like a perfect day to curl up with one of his books), who would be turning 110 today, for the comic strip "Peanuts" which made its debut this day in 1950, for Groucho Marx (born in 1890), and for Gandhi (born in 1869) ~ and if you can figure out a perfect cake for that lot please let us know ~ meanwhile it's off to the views for leaf peeping, penguin hunting, and a special bonus new Trial Link sent to us by Catherine (Thanks Catherine!!) for a whole new look in on a lovely spot while on our general wanderings of the planet to see who is doing what where, when we get there. Meet you at the pool......

Wednesday October 1st, 2014 ~ Not only is it the first day of October (YAY!) when things start to go bump in the night (Ditto!) but it is also the day, back in 1890, that an act of Congress (yes, they actually used to do things) created Yosemite National Park. So we'll head out that way (with 4 views including our old favorite) and then it's on to October's views ~ Enjoy the views and of course the bumps in the night ~

Tuesday September 30th, 2014 ~ If you haven't gotten a library card yet ~ today is your last day to do that during Library Card Sign Up Month. You can, of course, be a rebel and sign up tomorrow as any day is a good day to get a library card, but why wait? It was this day, just 79 years ago, that that the Hoover Dam was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in Boulder City, Nevada. Couldn't find a Dam Cam there, however... here is a great dam cam in Puerto Rico to check out. And a weather cam in Boulder City to check as well. (we've added the Arizona traffic cams here, and to the traffic cam collection as well in case you just want to wander the byways there). And yes Virginia, the leaf peeping page is out there ~ check the table below column 1 row 11 ~ (still a work in progress but out there none the less) ~ Enjoy!

Monday September 29th, 2014 ~ Today is not only what's believed to be the birthday of Miguel de Cervantes back in 1547, it is also International Coffee Day so have a cup of Joe before you head out to the views or to the windmills that need tilting ~ or if you are more into tilting with turbines, here are a couple to check out while you enjoy your coffee: in Delaware, and this lovely view in New Jersey. No, we didn't get the leaf peeping link out there, but it will be there tomorrow, really!

Sunday September 28th, 2014 ~ First a very Happy Birthday to Catherine!!!! Hope it's a great day and year for you. And secondly, it's Baseball's last day of the season today and today Derek Jeter will play in his very last MLB game, in Boston (on the 54th anniversary of the very last MLB game Ted Williams played ~ also at Fenway Park). It is also the 73rd anniversary of the day that Ted Williams got six hits in eight trips to the plate, boosting his batting average to .406 and thereby becoming the first player since Bill Terry in 1930 to hit .400 and also, just saying, becoming the last player (so far) to do so! And while we are on Williams ~ today is the 948th anniversary of the day William the Conqueror of Normandy arrived on British soil, but we are pretty sure he didn't play any baseball so it's back to the last day of Major League Baseball for 2014 and then it's on to the playoffs! Enjoy the games (GO TIGERS!!!), some birthday cake, and the views ~

Friday September 26th, 2014 ~ Somehow the last weekend of September is upon us ~ we promise the leaf peeping page will get posted this weekend. You can, of course, leaf peep without it by wandering the views, and/or wandering outside. (amazingly, that works too) :) Today is the birthday of one of driveway cam's favorites, Thomas Stearns Eliot (TS to his readers). It is also the birthday of Johnny Chapman (Johnny Appleseed to all of us!) You can read more by, and about, them at your local library when you take yourself there while out looking at leaves. So take your library card for a walk and yourself for a read, and if you don't have a card yet well then you need to get there faster because Library Card Month is winding down and you don't want to find yourself at the end of September without a library card! Enjoy the views ~ If you aren't in over your head, how do you know how tall you are? ~ T. S. Eliot

Thursday September 25th, 2014 ~ It's a busy day today... it was this day in 1789, that the first Congress passed the Bill of Rights — 12 amendments to the Constitution designed to protect the basic rights of U.S. citizens. However, only the last 10 of the original 12 were ratified by the states, including the First Amendment, which includes freedom of religion, speech, the press, and public assembly. (Thanks to Writer's Almanac). It is also the birthday of Shel Silverstein who showed us Where the Sidewalk Ends (Many thanks Mr. Silverstein), and last but by no means least ~ today NASA Television will televise of the launch of the three crew members of Expedition 41/42, as they begin their planned six-hour journey to the International Space Station. NASA Television coverage starts at 3:30 p.m. EDT and you can watch right here as Barry "Butch" Wilmore of NASA and Alexander Samokutyaev and Elena Serova of the Russian Federal Space Agency (Roscosmos) launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome at 4:25 p.m. (EDT) ~ Enjoy the views, which are our "something silly in the world..."



Wednesday September 24th, 2014 ~ Welcome to Wednesday on the Driveway ~ today we'll be featuring several visits, several trips out and back, and sunshine galore (the stage name of someone we're sure) if the rumors are true. It is also take your punctuation to lunch day as it is National Punctuation Day!?! Throw in that it is also Greta's birthday and you'll be busy celebrating, punctuating, and viewing all day ~ Enjoy!

Tuesday September 23rd, 2014 ~ A little late but the views are all there for the ... well for the viewing! It's a sunny beautiful day here on the driveway, hope it is where you are too. And a little celebration if you will for Neptune, the 8th planet from the sun which was discovered by German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle this date in 1846 at the Berlin Observatory. It's location was postulated by the French astronomer Urbain-Jean-Joseph Le Verrier, and verified by Galle. Enjoy the views and the knowledge that Neptune is out there! Where out there? Check here for a map and here for more information.

Monday September 22nd, 2014 ~ While the blurb division took yesterday off ~ NASA did not and MAVEN entered orbit around Mars!!! They also (along with the SpaceX people and the Dragon(!)) launched 5000 lbs of cargo on a resupply mission to the ISS. But the really B.I.G. news is that this evening at 10:29 PM Autumn Arrives!!!!! We get a temporary break from those lovely 23 degrees of tilt and we can embrace the balance ~ so set your clocks and welcome Autumn ~

Saturday September 20th, 2014 ~ Apparently it is International (!) Eat An Apple Day ~ so by all (and any) means, get out there and Eat An Apple! Here is a look in at HoneyApple Hill in NY, but for the best apples, aka actual apples.... leave the viewing here for a while and get out to a market to buy some fresh, crisp, hmmmmm apples! Tis the season! Then of course when you are done with that, the views will be waiting (they will even wait if you want to bake an apple crisp, or something (they are most accommodating that way)) ~

Friday September 19th, 2014 ~ The U.K. has survived, and while we didn't have a horse in that race we are very relieved with the results. However, we do hope that England and Scotland can work out their many differences. While the results sink in to both the Yays and the Nays we are going to spend today wandering views of Scotland ~ like this amazing one in Edinburgh, as well as these in the mountains, and/or the Shetland Islands we hope to visit one day (soon) (love the music on this one too). There is Stonehaven, along with another great view, this one of Eilean Donan Castle. And of course we can't forget the ever wonderful Loch Ness(ie) Cam we visit almost every day... Finally there are the traffic Cams in Scotland which are always a treat ~ it's a beautiful country so enjoy the views ~

Thursday September 18th, 2014 ~ A very happy birthday to Jean Bernard Léon Foucault, best known for originating the pendulum that demonstrated the earth's rotation. In his honor today we'll just settle in and watch the as the earth rotates (one of our favorite sites!) and watch while things on the rotating earth rotate (they've changed the cams there, you have to go to the page and then click on the cam, and the image updates every 12 seconds) and enjoy the ride (hang on to something if you are prone to motion sickness) Oh! And enjoy the views too! :)

Wednesday September 17th, 2014 ~ It was just 38 years ago today, in 1976, that NASA publicly unveiled its first space shuttle, the Enterprise, during a ceremony in Palmdale, California. They just announced yesterday that Space-X and Boeing would be the providers of personel carriers to the ISS so that by 2017 we are shuttling crews without the help of Russia or other nations. The Dragon will fly even more (yay!). Looks to be a lovely day on the driveway and hopefully where you are too. If you haven't gotten your library card yet... what the heck are you waiting for? Enjoy the views and get your card....

Monday September 15th, 2014 ~ It is a beautiful day on the driveway (don't look at the radar) as it should be for today is the birthday of our favorite mystery writer Agatha Christie, born Agatha Miller in Torquay, England, in 1890 (with thanks to The Writer's Almanac). So it's a lovely day to curl up with one of her 66 mysteries (and countless other plays, novels, poetry, short stories, essays....) and even to check in on Torquay ~ Enjoy ~



Sunday September 14th, 2014 ~ Well we missed the auroras (cloud cover), and in fact we missed all of Saturday (luckily the camera division keeps on plugging even when the blurb division slacks off) ~ and while we didn't get to see this first hand yesterday we are more than pleased to announce, and imagine that you will be more than pleased to hear, that............... THE PENGUINS ARE BACK!!!! So enjoy as we continue the fall into autumn this week ~ checking for auroras, leaves turning (leaf peeping page will be up soon but there are turning leaves all over the links), and the return of the penguins. Hot cider, warm sweaters, a library card, and great views all around ~ "The contents of a library can take you further than your own imagination could begin to imagine. To open a book is to open your mind." ~ Amberle Cianne

Friday September 12th, 2014 ~ There was a large solar flare on the Sun on Wednesday which could lighten up the night skies here on Earth tonight. If you are not in the aurora circle, or you have cloudy skies don't forget that you can check out the aurora cams to watch online. (slide down the page a bit, the aurora cams are right above the start of the table of links). And indeed if you feel the need you can take out your aluminum hats and wear those during the storm's fall out. (it's only prudent). Happy Friday and Enjoy the Views!



Thursday September 11th, 2014 ~ "Democracy depends on an informed population. And where can people get all the information they need? At the Library.” ~ Elliot Shelkrot “Illiteracy is no less than a threat to our national security. ~ Thomas Jefferson “If information is the currency of democracy, then libraries are its banks.” ~ Senator Wendell Ford Visit your library today and enjoy all of the views there and from the driveway ~

Wednesday September 10th, 2014 ~ While the Blurb division is up to their old tricks and played hooky yesterday, NASA is on duty and is sending a crew home from the ISS today as NASA astronaut Steve Swanson, Expedition 40 commander, along with cosmonauts Alexander Skvortsov and Oleg Artemyev, both flight engineers with the Russian Federal Space Agency, return to Earth after six month aboard the International Space Station. You can watch on NASA TV or right here (schedule is: 3:15 p.m. - Farewells and hatch closure coverage (hatch closure at 3:35 p.m.) ~ 6:45 p.m. - Undocking (undocking at 7:01 p.m.) ~ 9:15 p.m. - Deorbit burn and landing coverage (deorbit burn at 9:31 p.m. and landing at 10:23 p.m.)). Today is also the 201st anniversary of the first unqualified defeat of a British naval squadron in history, when U.S. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry lead a fleet of nine American ships to victory over a squadron of six British warships at the Battle of Lake Erie during the War of 1812. So a look in at Lake Erie and a note that you can find out more about the battle at the library when you go to get your card, or walk your card if you already have one ~ Enjoy ~



Monday September 8th, 2014 ~ While we usually look to see what has happened this day in the past today we are looking toward the future ~ so mark your calendars and meet us here on September 8th, 2040 because the first visible conjunction during the 21st century of the crescent Moon with the five naked-eye visible planets - Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter and Saturn - will occur then. They will be seen clustered within a small distance of each other in the early evening sky, well east of the sun. When a similar grouping happened in the sky on 5 May 2000, the Moon and the same five planets were lost to view because of the glare of the Sun from among them. We'll have wine, bring a snack to pass! Oh and speaking of the future... the last of the trio of SuperFullMoons for the summer is tomorrow. Shine on and enjoy the views ~ "Knowledge is free at the library. Just bring your own container." ~ Anon

Sunday September 7th, 2014 ~ A late start to a beautiful (so far) Sunday on the driveway ~ as we ponder the fact that it was this day back in 1909 that the first junior high school in the United States, Indianola School, was opened in Columbus, Ohio. Well, we have to ponder something while waiting for 2014RC to make it's closest approach, at about 2:18 pm EDT based on current calculations. At it's closest the 60 feet in size asteroid will be about 21,000 miles above the surface of the Earth. Slooh, our favorite online telescope, will be broadcasting replays today of last nights live show, so if you didn't get to see it then you can put on your hats and watch now. Enjoy all the views today ~ on the driveway, at the library, and everywhere else as well ~



Saturday September 6th, 2014 ~ A lovely, lazy Saturday is underway on the driveway and we hope on your driveways as well. That gives you plenty of time to work on your aluminum foil hats for the asteroid 2014RC which is going to zoom by here tomorrow ~ The asteroid will be roughly over New Zealand at the time of closest approach, which will be about 2:18 pm EDT based on current calculations. Astronomers estimate that the asteroid is about 60 feet in size. How close? About 21,000 miles above the surface of the Earth. Slooh, our favorite online telescope, will be broadcasting live starting at starting at 10 p.m. EDT tonight! So put on your hats and watch. 394 years ago today a smaller vessel from a foreign land headed this way too as the Mayflower left Plymouth England with 102 colonists bound for the new world. You can check in on Plymouth and see who might be leaving there today ~ (save the picture and you'll be able to see it more clearly(larger)). Enjoy the views, being lazy, and going to the library, but keep an eye on the skies..... "A library is the only single place you can go to learn something new, be comforted, terrified, thrilled, saddened, overjoyed, or excited all in one day. And for free." ~ Amy Neftzger

Friday September 5th, 2014 ~ 37 years ago this very day Voyager I was launched (after Voyager II it's true but hey, time is relative) and it is still going strong and has crossed over into interstellar space!! 20 years (to the day) prior to that (and no doubt giving NASA the idea of hitting the interstellar highway) Jack Kerouac's "On the Road" was published. Dr. Zhivago was first published in the US on this day 1 year after "On the Road". Both these books and information about the Voyager mission can be found at your local library if you (and your Library Card) take a trip there today (you can fly, walk, or go by troika) ~ which would be a lovely way to celebrate day 5 of Library Card Sign Up Month ~ enjoy the views here, and along the way ~



Thursday September 4th, 2014 ~ It was on this day in 1882, that Thomas Edison switched on the world's first commercial electrical power plant (which would later become Con-Ed) flipping the first light switch, in J.P. Morgan's Wall Street office, at precisely three o'clock p.m. It is also the day, just 6 years later, in Rochester, New York, that George Eastman received a patent for his new, easy-to-use camera, the Kodak. So let your light shine today on whatever kodak moments you find ~ wandering the views, wandering around, or wandering with your Library Card in your Local Library ~ Enjoy ~ "Nothing is pleasanter to me than exploring in a library." ~ Walter Savage Landor

Wednesday September 3rd, 2014 ~ Sadly today is the day that Amy heads back home. We (and the driveway) are going to miss her (and her Scion) but you can watch for her on her way home by following the traffic cams between here and there ~ In between watching for Amy don't forget to go to your library, to celebrate National Library Card Sign Up Month of course as well as the anniversary of this day in 1822 when a wagon train containing three tons of books arrived at Allegheny College in Meadville, PA. Donated to the library there by James Winthrop who was a descendant of John Winthrop, first governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. You can check in on Meadville right here to watch for any additional wagon trains of books that might be arriving (and if you see some arriving on the driveway let us know!) Enjoy the views ~



Tuesday September 2nd, 2014 ~ It was 113 years ago today that then Vice President Teddy Roosevelt advised Americans to "speak softly but carry a big stick" ~ Couldn't find a web cam in Big Stick (WVa) but did find this one just 9 miles out of Big Stick (hopefully it will update). School is starting today in Webster (and tomorrow in Rochester) so traffic watching once again includes busses for all you traffic fans ~ and if would rather be out in traffic instead of watching it then get thee to your library and get your library card as the 2nd day of National Library Card Sign Up Month, and the 245th day of the year get underway ~ "Walking the stacks in a library, dragging your fingers across the spines -- it's hard not to feel the presence of sleeping spirits." ~ Robin Sloan

Monday September 1st, 2014 ~ Happy Labor Day and welcome back to the "ber" months! There is great rejoicing on the driveway as September is here and as autumn starts tip toeing in. It is also the start of National Library Card Sign Up Month another favorite on this side of the driveway ~ so, if you don't have a library card yet, be sure to get one tomorrow (it is a holiday today after all) and then work on wearing it out! A quick Happy Birthday to Lily Tomlin (born in Detroit in 1939) then it's on to the library links, and all the other links as well ~ Enjoy ~



Sunday August 31st, 2014 ~ The last day of August is here and we are sad to see the month end (but pretty excited about what tomorrow might bring in it's place). Today is also the day Cheryl is leaving and we hate to see her go (drivewaycam will miss the extra car and the car shuffling as well)(we are working on convincing Cheryl and Amy to move here (check the driveway later to see if we had any success)). Meanwhile, today is the day in 1852 that the United States Congress passed legislation creating the first prestamped envelopes (!) ~ so use one if you have one (or buy one on Tuesday for some retroactive celebrating). It is also the day in 1942 that the caped crusader (aka Superman) started on network radio and we heard "Look! Up in the sky! It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s Superman!" for the first time ~ so while viewing, keep an eye out on the skies in those views for any capes you may see zoom by. Take a deep breath of August as it departs and enjoy the views ~

Saturday August 30th, 2014 ~ First and foremost ~ Happy Birthday to Linda today!!! We all wish her the happiest of days and the start of a excellent new year! (and we thank her for the opportunity for cake today!!!) Long time drivewaycamers know that today is also National Toasted Marshmallow Day...but did you know it is also International Bacon Day!?! Put those 3 things together and what do you have? That's right ~ Chocolaty Bacon Birthday Cake with (of course) Toasted Marshmallow Frosting!!! (served with a side of insulin we hope). And have a 2nd piece of cake for Shirley Booth (aka Hazel) who was born 116 years ago today! Now it's off to the views and to get a strong cup of coffee to counteract just thinking about 2 pieces of that cake....

Friday August 29th, 2014 ~ The long weekend is upon us ~ yay! And as it's the last official holiday of the summer it's time to put the brakes on and slow things down a little, which works out well because it was this very day, in 1828, that the first U.S. patent for a brake of any kind was issued to Robert Turner of Ward (now Auburn), Mass. It was for a "self-regulating wagon brake." Today is also the day back in 1971 that Hank Aaron broke a record and became the first baseball player in the National League to drive in 100 or more runs in each of 11 seasons! (in case you were wondering). So enjoy this lovely 241st day of the year, enjoy the weekend, enjoy the views, and enjoy taking things s..l...o....w.....l......y ~

Thursday August 28th, 2014 ~ August seems to be in a big hurry to get out-of-here but there are still a few days to savor the waning of National Catfish Month ~ so don't delay! And while we haven't found a Catfish Cam per se... there are fish out there for viewing ~ at the Bonneville Dam in Portland, or you can check in on some sturgeon in Lake Superior. Speaking of cats (?!) today is the birthday of Sir Godfrey Newbold Hounsfield who shared a Nobel Prize for the creation of computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanners. He originated the idea during a country walk in 1967 ~ so be sure to take notes on what you are thinking while viewing or walking today....

Wednesday August 27th, 2014 ~ We're back, sort of. The Blurb Division is moving slowly but then they always did ~ They (and we) would like to wish Theodore Dreiser a Happy Birthday. He would be turning 140 today if only he could. So cake and ice-cream all around. Today is also the start of the Tug of War World Championships (!!) in Wisconsin ~ which is just screaming to be on a webcam, but we haven't found one...yet. (if you find one let us know!). So grab on to the rope, hold on tight, and it's off to the views ~ Enjoy ~

Thursday August 21st, 2014 ~ The blurb division is taking some time off ~ so for the next few days or so enjoy wandering the views (they should all still work), and watching the driveway (we're hoping that drivewaycam and our cloud cam cooperate), and exploring old favorites, or finding new favorites. Speaking of favorites...today is the birthday of the real Christopher Robin, the inspiration for Winnie the Pooh's best friend ~ So tea with honey all around and we'll be back soon ~ Enjoy the views!

Tuesday August 19th, 2014 ~ Today is the birthday of the father of Star Trek ~ Gene Roddenberry, born in El Paso, Texas, in 1921. His original science fiction show Star Trek never received good ratings and only ran for 3 seasons ('66-'68) but blasted off in syndication and began an entire Star Trek industry of TV shows, movies, conventions, toys, accessories, and the list goes on from here to the moon and back. It is also the day 2 dogs named Belka and Strelka, along with 40 mice, and 2 rats, were launched into orbit 54 years ago (and 6 years before Star Trek launched) aboard Sputnik 5(2?) and happily became the first animals to return alive. (none of which would have been possible without the efforts of today's other birthday boy Orville Wright.) In honor of all of them we're re-posting the link for watching those that watch space ~ Hope it's a lovely viewing day all over the universe. Enjoy ~

Monday August 18th, 2014 ~ A tip of the hat to the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which was ratified this very day back in 1920, giving women, that is acknowledging, their right to vote. Thank you Suffragettes!!! With many Thank Yous to Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton who drafted the amendment and first introduced it in 1878(!?!?!) And while we are tipping hats, let one of them be a party hat because it is, once again, Happy Birthday to Delores (Pat) Beedle Day! Hope it's a gloriously gorsen-spotted day for you Delores ~ and for us all ~

Sunday August 17th, 2014 ~ Rumor has it that it was this day in 1877, that Asaph Hall discovered Mars' moon Phobos ~ tomorrow morning however (pre-dawn people, set your alarms now) it's not Mars but Venus and Jupiter that are going to steal the show. Tomorrow (early) morning, about 30 minutes BEFORE dawn, Venus and Jupiter will be just two-tenths of a degree apart. Should be lovely. Mars and Saturn will have their own show later in the month but for now enjoy the views today and then get to bed early so you can catch the 2 brightest planets in the solar system in conjunction ~ ps: Venus is the brightest of the 2 ~ Enjoy ~ (click picture for larger view)



Saturday August 16th, 2014 ~ Caught the Blurb Division napping (after the Where's the Blurb Division Division woke us up and pointed it out) yesterday... they are back today. Which is good because today is Brannaman is going to College Day! He is off to Northern Kentucky University and we are all so excited for him we can't hardly stand it! Have a great time today Brannaman!!! So far the closest view we've found is here, about 2.5 miles away but we'll keep looking. Today is also cousin Kristi is getting Married Day!! Congratulations Kristi (and TC) ~ much happiness and we hope it's a most wonderful day for you. We hope it's a great day out there for everyone ~ So Happy Saturdays all around and enjoy the views ~

Thursday August 14th, 2014 ~ Not only is it National Navajo Code Talkers Day (with thanks to the Code Talkers for the only unbroken code in Military History!) but it is also the 126th anniversary of the day Oliver B. Shallenberger, of Rochester, PA, received a patent for the electric meter (#388003) ...and they've been spinning ever since ~ thanks so much Oliver ~ Might as well keep Oliver's invention cranking by taking a look at some great views in and around the Navaho Nation and then TEHI    HAL-ZID    DI    KA-YAH     TA-BILH ~

Wednesday August 13th, 2014 ~ Cloud Cam (click the link on the date) might be fun today as a front (or two) moves through (the camera is looking north toward the lake). It is also a good day to take a look in at Berlin today as it is the 53rd anniversary of the beginning of the Berlin Wall, when in the early hours of the morning, East German soldiers quietly began laying down barbed wire and cinder blocks: a hundred miles of it just inside the border of East Berlin. If you are in the just-getting-or-recently-got-a-whole-lotta-rain areas... be careful out there, stay in and enjoy the views (many of which have no rain in them at all) and/or squelch the desire to drive out in mess by watching the traffic cameras ~ We'll end on a cameo appearance of Hitchcock in honor of his birthday....

Tuesday August 12th, 2014 ~ It is a rainy World Elephants Day here on the driveway ~ and as it is also the 33rd anniversary of the introduction of the IBM PC we can celebrate both by watching Elephants gambol in Tennessee via computer. If you have clear skies where you are this evening, it's a good night for Meteor viewing out there (especially around 3-4 AM)(oye) as the Perseids are peaking ~ don't worry if you have cloudy skies where you are too... it's a good night for meteor viewing here too starting at 9:30 PM (Eastern). Enjoy the views ~

Monday August 11th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Birthday to Marty today is first on the list! Hope it's a great day for you Martha. In other news, we'd like to say that somehow the first use of the S.O.S radio distress call (this very day in 1909, by the liner S.S. Arapahoe) was somehow connected to the patent which was awarded (this very day in 1903) for instant coffee but it's a stretch even for the Department of Totally Unconnected Connections (a subsidiary of the Blurb Division). However both things did happen on the same day so in the minds of the DTUC ~ they're linked. [Instant coffee was actually introduced at the Pam-American Exposition in Buffalo in 1901, but the patent (No. 735,777) was not awarded until 1903.] If you figure out the connection please let us know, meanwhile... enjoy the views and a nice cup of coffee (hopefully the SOS signal will not be needed today!)

Sunday August 10th, 2014 ~ It's Super Full Moon day ~ if you have clear skies and can get out as the moon rises today would be the day to do just that. And the Perseid Meteor Shower is peaking so you might want to make up a thermos of Hot Chocolate and head out this evening for some sky watching. (perfect for celebrating the birthday of Henri Nestlé, born August 10th, 1814 (yep, that Nestlé, the one who started the company that now buys up more than ten percent of the world’s entire crop of coffee and cacao beans !) It is also the birthday of the Man who invented Daylight Saving Time, William Willett, born in 1856, so another round of hot chocolate is in order while watching for meteors ~ or while checking out any of the views today ~ Enjoy ~

Saturday August 9th, 2014 ~ There is an abundance of Super Full Moons this summer ~ but the one this weekend is the Super'est ~ Sunday night the moon will likely appear 30% brighter and 14% larger than normal. The moon will be at perigee just 23 minutes before it hits "full" and will be 356,896km away from Earth - only 496km (a little over 300 miles) from the closest it can ever get to us. There will not be a closer full moon until November 2034. What all that means is that moon watching will be good in the early evening hours of Saturday and Sunday as it comes up large, and very F U L L! Fingers crossed for clear skies. Perseid Meteor Shower is peaking this weekend too, under the bright light of the moon, but meteors should still be visable so get out there and look up ~

Friday August 8th, 2014 ~ The blurb division got a little lazy yesterday ~ and haven't shown up for work so far today either. So as it is the 2nd Friday of the month already we are repeating a blurb from a previous August 8th: Today is a good day for 2nds ~ it is the birthday of Svetlana Yevgeniyevna, the Russian cosmonaut who was the 2nd woman in space, and its the day that the 2nd teacher to go on a shuttle, Barbara Morgan, launched on the U.S. Space Shuttle Endeavour. As it turns out it is also the day, back in 1876, that Thomas Alva Edison, obtained patent #180,857 for a “method of preparing autographic stencils for printing,” or, a mimeograph machine... It is also National Zucchini Day (aka "Sneak Some Zucchini onto Your Neighbor's Porch Day") so it is the perfect day to re-purpose those green baseball bats you have growing in your garden ~ and speaking of seconds ... today started with 18,975,721 seconds of the year behind us, with about 12,560,279 seconds left ~ which means it is time to pour that 2nd cup of coffee and get on to the views ~

Wednesday August 6th, 2014 ~ Ten years ago this past March there was a launch ~ it was of the European Space Agency's Rosetta probe which started it's mission at that point to meet up with (and eventually land on!) the comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko. After being re-awakened back in January of this year it was given it's last commands to enter the orbit of the comet this morning while most of us were still asleep. It is now in orbit (!!!) and is the first probe ever to orbit a comet. It will continue to collect data until the lander is sent down to the comet's surface this November. You can follow Rosetta via it's blog. They (the blurb division) would like to claim they were up early and following the events and that is why they forgot to post today's blurb... but instead they will say Congratulations to the ESA and enjoy the views ~

Tuesday August 5th, 2014 ~ First off, happy birthdays to Wendell Berry and ~ Neil Armstrong. In their honor, and because August is a great month for looking up, the view from the camera on the date link is now a view of the clouds and will be looking North, toward the lake, and just above the tree line (so you can be looking that way too with just a click on the date). For more looking up this month remember that the Perseids are heating up and if we ever get a clear night around here we're heading out to watch. The ISS is also visiting these parts, and maybe passing overhead near you too ~ to find out check here. Enjoy the views ~ and last words to Mr. Berry: “I have always loved a window, especially an open one.”

Monday August 4th, 2014 ~ The first week of August is underway and rolling down the driveway ~ if you haven't been to the Google yet today you should go. It's a cute doodle for the 180th birthday of John Venn and can easily fill up some time when otherwise you'd be stuck working. :) It is also Louis Armstrong and President Obama's birthday, so cake all around! In honor of the day Elvis released Hound Dog, which was this very day back in 1956, we'll end with a link to watch some happy hounds... while you sing along (or not, viewers choice). Enjoy the views ~



Sunday August 3rd, 2014 ~ A quiet Sunday on the driveway ~ we'll be looking for dinosaurs today as it was this very day in 1769, that The La Brea Tar Pits in Los Angeles, California were first noticed by a Spanish expedition member Juan Crespi, a Franciscan friar. Please notify us of any dinosaurs, movements in the tar, and/or friars you may spot on the driveway today. Or that you may see at the Dinosaur National Monument ~ make sure you settle in with some snacks and drinks... it took about 106 years to find the fossils in the tar pits... Happy Hunting and enjoy the views ~

Saturday August 2nd, 2014 ~ It's Take Your Anti To Lunch day as we celebrate the 82nd anniversary of the day physicist Carl Anderson discovered the first physical evidence that antimatter was more than just an idea. Although given how our Antis can sometimes act when we meet up with them maybe a better idea is to take someone else's Anti out to lunch. :) The 1st Saturday of August is also National Mustard Day so be sure to indulge in some of it along with your usual Saturday condiments ~ They are giving away free hot dogs at the National Mustard Museum (yeah, we have one of those) in Middleton, WISC so if you are in the neighborhood there be sure to stop by. Enjoy the day and the views ~

Friday August 1st, 2014 ~ Welcome to August ~ of course there was a little rain this morning but it's looking like it's clearing up now ~ It's also Happy Birthday Herman Melville Day so it's also Watch for White Whales on the Driveway Day (or watch for them here). Enjoy the views (and the evaporation!)

Thursday July 31st, 2014 ~ And just that fast the last day of July is upon us. You can check out the last look at July today anywhere you like, from the driveway, and as it turns out on the driveway in 9 minute slices ~ or 2 minute slices if you use the camera link on the date ~

Wednesday July 30th, 2014 ~ The penultimate day of July is here, ready and waiting for inspection ~ and while you are out inspecting and perusing it keep an eye out for Jimmy Hoffa who disappeared on this date in 1975. Missing now 39 years he was last seen in Bloomfield Township, Michigan, near Detroit, and could be anywhere. And luckily that is exactly where all of our cameras point. If you can, try to get out tonight to watch for the Perseid Meteor Shower underway now. (It peaks during the Super Full Moon coming up August 10th so viewing is actually better now) ~ Enjoy the views ~

Tuesday July 29th, 2014 ~ NASA is turning 56 today as it was this very day in 1958, President Dwight D. Eisenhower signed an act that created the National Aeronautics and Space Administration! In their honor we have cleaned out a space in our table by retiring the Nesting Links for 2014 (they'll be back next spring, and currently are on the retired links page if you are longing to look at empty nests) and putting the Webb Telecope Constuction Cam in that spot. Today is also Will It Rain day in Waynesburg, PA., where it has rained on 113 of the last 140 July 29ths! Check in to see what happens today, (does look rather sunny there) but as always, please... no wagering (unless you cut us in)! And before you wander off to the views, it is also National Chicken Wing Day, so find your wings today, and enjoy the views ~

Monday July 28th, 2014 ~ It's raining. A lot. So join us as we watch the last Monday of July run down the driveway in 9 minute increments (drivewaycam is still celebrating Lexi's birthday it seems). Jessie is back in Kentucky (welcome back Jessie!) from Colorado so we've moved her Near Jessie Geographically links to the retired links page. Which means while watching the weather on all the links today you can also watch the weather where Jessie had been. On to the rainy views ~

Sunday July 27th, 2014 ~ A quiet day on the driveway ~ as the last day of the last weekend of July dances through. We are wishing we were in Cooperstown for the Hall of Fame induction... it is going to be a fabulous day there (you can watch here)... and while we're talking Hall of Fame... it was this day in 1984 that Cincinnati's Bad Boy, Pete Rose, collected his record 3,053rd career single. There are games, and future hall of fame-ers, to be watched/listened to for all of us who are not in Cooperstown. Here is a link of stations for catching the games by radio should you need it. So it's off to the views and the games (and of course the last day of the Blueberry Festival) ~ Enjoy ~

Saturday July 26th, 2014 ~ Happy Aldus Huxley Birthday Day! Now, if your big brother radar is going off it's not Huxley (that was Orwell anyway) but.... The FBI was founded this very day in 1908, as was the Department of Defense and the CIA (established this very day back in 1947). It's also the birthday of the US Postal System (turning 239) ~ so send cards to one and all if you like. Have a great Saturday and enjoy the views. (ps the Blueberry Festival continues). A pause to ponder quote from Neil Postman on Huxley: "Orwell feared those who would deprive us of information. Huxley feared those who would give us so much that we would be reduced to passivity and egoism."

Friday July 25th, 2014 ~ The last weekend of the month has come around somehow, and with it the start of the 34th Ely Blueberry Arts Festival ~ so we'll keep an eye on it from our favorite Ely corner. And speaking of coming around... it is the 143rd anniversary of the day the first U.S. patent for a carousel was issued ~ it was given to Willhelm Schneider of Davenport, Iowa (No. 117,336) and was described as a two-story 'carrousel' or rotary pavilion used in public parks or other places of amusement. Plus it is the 160th anniversary of the day Walter Hunt of New York City was awarded the first U.S. patent for a paper shirt collar (No.11,376). (Walter is perhaps best known for his invention of the safety pin). To round out your viewing today...it's lawn mowing day *AND* there is a garage sale going on across the street. Pace yourself when viewing or your head will be spinning by the end of the day ~

Thursday July 24th, 2014 ~ The 34th Ely Blueberry Arts Festival gets underway this weekend, and it's always fun to watch the preparations (and the festival) from the Corner of Ely and the Driveway. It's also the birthday Amelia Earhart one of the world's most celebrated aviators, who was the first woman to fly alone over the Atlantic Ocean and who was born this day back in 1897. [The closest webcam we could find to her home in Atchison KS (it's about 25 miles away) is the one on the Kansas Traffic Cams at Levenworth (north of Topeka)]. Last (for now) but certainly not least, not only is this the day the Apollo 11 astronauts splashed down from their trip to the moon 45 years ago, it is also the 64th anniversary of the first successful launch at Cape Canaveral! And you can always check in there on the Today at the Beach camera below, and right here. Wherever your wandering takes you today, enjoy the views ~

Wednesday July 23rd, 2014 ~ Supplies will be heading to the ISS today ~ the ISS Progress 56 resupply ship will launch at 5:44 p.m. (eastern) from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan (3:44 a.m. tomorrow in Kazakhstan), with about 5,700 pounds of food, fuel and supplies for the station's Expedition 40 crew. Launch coverage begins on NASA TV at 5:30 p.m. Progress 56 will make its four-orbit, six-hour trip to the space station and dock at 11:30 p.m. (eastern) Docking coverage will begin at 11 p.m. Perfect mid-week viewing ~ And a late but well intended ((we got the date wrong) ~ sorry Prince! ~ heads will roll, okay maybe not roll but there will be a) Nod of the Head to Prince George who turned 1 yesterday! Cake all around ~



Tuesday July 22nd, 2014 ~ A late start so a quick blurb ~ It would be rude not to point out that today is the birthday of Amy Vanderbilt, as well as being the 78th (!) birthday of Tom Robbins. So pinkies up when you enjoy your cake and ice-cream today and when you aren't eating or enjoying the views you may want to read some Robbins (we suggest starting with Still Life with Woodpecker, moving on to Even Cowgirls Get The Blues, and/or any and all of his books you can find). Please note: Pinkies can be up or down for both viewing and reading ~ Last words to Tom: It's never too late to have a happy childhood ~ Tom Robbins

Monday July 21st, 2014 ~ Been a big couple of days for space ~ and still is as the resupply ship that has been at the ISS since April will undock from the space station's Pirs docking compartment at 5:44 p.m. EDT today and NASA TV coverage of the undocking will begin at 5:30 p.m. (The new resupply ship is launching on Wednesday, coverage of that starts at 5:30 PM)(more on Wednesday). Today is also, as it turns out, the day in 2011, that NASA’s space shuttle program completed its final, and 135th, mission, when the shuttle Atlantis landed at Kennedy Space Center. The shuttles in their time carried more than 350 people into space and flew more than 500 million miles. Also completed on this day, in 2007, was the Harry Potter series when the seventh and final Harry Potter novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, was released, a mere 10 years (!) after the first Harry Potter book had been published. The books have sold more than 400 million copies worldwide and an interesting side note: on the release of Goblet of Fire, 9,000 FedEx trucks were used with no other purpose than to deliver that book. But enough of endings, it is the start of a new week and so on to the views ~

Sunday July 20th, 2014 ~ Incredibly it was 45 years ago today that we, in the persons of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin, landed on the moon. Michael Collins remained aloft to bring them all safely home. It was, and still is, simply amazing. Slooh is holding a live celebration with a moon rise broadcast starting at 8:30 PM Eastern ~ there are some great pictures here, there is mission information here, and an interactive trip to the moon here. You can check out what the view from the moon would be right now as well as a representation of what the moon looks like right now...so enjoy the views and remembering....



Saturday July 19th, 2014 ~ HAPPY BIRTHDAY LEXI!!!!! Ms Lexi is turning 9 today ~ so get some cake and ice-cream and join in the celebrations ~ for Nine is a pretty big deal ~ In J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle-earth, there are nine rings of power given to men, and consequently, nine ringwraiths and The Fellowship of the Ring consists of nine companions, as a positive mirror of the nine ringwraiths. (today is also, just fyi, the 60th anniversary of the day The Fellowship of the Ring was published). Nine is the number of innings in a regulation, non-tied game of baseball as well as the number of players in the batting lineup. Nine is strongly associated with the Chinese dragon, a symbol of magic and power. There are nine forms of the dragon, it is described in terms of nine attributes, and it has nine children. There are 9 planets in our solar system (we love you Pluto!) And if you multiply nine by any whole number (except zero), then repeatedly add the digits of the answer until it's just one digit, you will end up with nine (eg: 234 × 9 = 2106 (2 + 1 + 0 + 6 = 9)) So let's all enjoy the start of this magical year for Lexi (and the views of course, in 9 minute intervals in her honor)

Friday July 18th, 2014 ~ It's Re-Opening Day in Major League Baseball, as we head into the 2nd half of the season. The perfect way to start a weekend ~ We'd also like to take a moment to wish Joe Torre a very Happy 74th Birthday today too! (and while we are on Birthdays ~ a Happy Birthday to John Glenn turning 93, Nelson Mandela who would have been 96, and Martha Reeves (of the Vandellas) turning 73) Add to that the fact that it is the day back in 1898 that Marie and Pierre Curie discovered Polonium and it's a day for dancing in the street! So enjoy the return of baseball, some cake and ice-cream, the day, and the views ~ but stay away from the Polonium...



Thursday July 17th, 2014 ~ It's a good day to make some noise for the birthday of the Belgian astronomer Georges Lemaître, born on this day in 1894. Georges (and not Edwin) was one of the first to propose the big-bang theory, maintaining that the universe originated with a gigantic explosion and that the universe continues to expand (with thanks to the Writer's Almanac). If you wander out this evening (and the driveway cam legal department hastens to emphasize that we do NOT recommend star gazing during daylight hours ~ (use this link instead)) to look up at the ever expanding universe and its stars, keep an eye out for meteors too as The Perseids are active (although they don't peak until near mid August, more on that then). Enjoy the views ~

Wednesday July 16th, 2014 ~ Hard to believe but it was 16,436 days ago this morning (or 45 years!??!) that we watched the liftoff of Apollo 11 on it's way to the moon with Neil A. Armstrong, Edwin E. Aldrin, Jr., and Michael Collins aboard ~ more views of the event here as well as here. Those certainly were some amazing days... Enjoy the views, past and present ~



Tuesday July 15th, 2014 ~ Back in 2008 when we first mentioned marking your calendar we thought it was soooo far away and yet it is only 363 days until New Horizons makes it's closest fly-by of Pluto!!! In the excitement of Bastille day yesterday we neglected to mention it but the clock is running and July 14th, 2015 is the date. If you haven't marked your calendar yet.... we'll wait here while you do! If you are waiting with us you can check out where New Horizons is now, or any of the other views. Don't forget (easy to do with all the New Horizon news) the All Star game is tonight, on Fox, 8:00 ~ (Jeter in his first All Star game in 1998, and getting ready for his last All Star game tonight (click either for larger view))



Monday July 14th, 2014 ~ Once again it is time to wish Un jour Bastille très heureux à chacun! It was 225 years ago today, that an angry French mob stormed the Bastille prison in Paris, fingers crossed there will be no storming of the driveway today ~ although... there is the chance for storming all across the map ~ so be careful out there. We'll take a quick look in at Paris and the Eiffel Tower ~ check here for catching fireworks later today (their tonight). And don't forget to check in with Home Run Derby tonight as well where is sure to be some firecracker hitting. (stop your groaning we are done mangling metaphors and stretching similes, at least for today). Enjoy the All Star Break and a very happy La Fête Nationale to all ~

Sunday July 13th, 2014 ~ The resupply launch to the ISS is still on (at the moment anyway), weather permitting, and is scheduled for 12:52 p.m. NASA TV is airing launch preparations feeds, and other footage related to the mission, beginning at 11:30 a.m. today. Actual Launch coverage on NASA TV begins at noon ~ we're expecting showers and/or storms on or about the driveway today (as is much of the country) so it might just be a good day to curl up with a good view ~

Saturday July 12th, 2014 ~ The first of the summer's 3 consecutive "Super Full Moons" is tonight ~ because the full moons will be occurring during Perigee, the point in the Moon's elliptical orbit closest to Earth, they will appear bigger and brighter especially at Moon rise so get out there starting around 8:30 pm and check it out, the illusion being best when the moon is nearest the horizon. (cloudy in your area? it is always clear here) The resupply launch to the space station was postponed until tomorrow ~ NASA TV will air a comprehensive video feed of launch preparations and other footage related to the mission beginning at 11:30 a.m. Launch coverage on NASA TV will begin at noon ~ until then enjoy the day, the full moon shine ~ and of course all the views ~

Friday July 11th, 2014 ~ Ready for the weekend? If you are still looking for something to do may we suggest heading to the library for a copy of To Kill a Mockingbird? It was published on this date in 1960, and 54 years later still makes for great summer reading in a hammock, on a porch swing, under a tree... Hopefully you won't have to share trees as it was this day in 1967 that the Population Division of the UN named as The Day of Five Billion which is what the population reached then. It is currently at 7 Billion+, which also hopefully does not reflect the size of the wait list for the book at your library (if it does, check here to add the book to your views). So enjoy stretching out your body (in more ways than one as the 7-11 chain is giving away free 12-ounce Slurpees today from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (available in the usual flavors: blue, purple, green, yellow, orange and red))... your mind and your viewing today ~

Thursday July 10th, 2014 ~ The skies seem to have cleared here, and may stay clear all day ~ plus its cooler. Perfect driveway viewing weather (inside or out!) Today is 'Don't Step On A Bee Day' ~ to remind us during these barefoot days of summer not to step on bees (seems like good advice any day, shoes or no) ~ so to keep you from wandering outside looking for a bee to not step upon (we know our viewers) here are some bees you can watch without having to worry about getting stung. Bee Cam One.... Bee Cam Two.... Bee Cam Three....(you may not see a bee on this one, but it's oddly hypnotic) And when you are wandering around outside today (if your weather is as nice as ours is you are going to have to get out there), bee careful ~

Wednesday July 9th, 2014 ~ From Writer's Almanac, today is the day back in 1776 that the Declaration of Independence was read to Washington's troops who needed some inspiration at the time to rouse them to defend their fledgling nation. And defend it they did. They were defending us (US as it were) from the relatives of some of the crackerjack British cryptologists who, with help from Polish cryptologists, would 165 years later, to the day, break the secret code, the Enigma Key, used by the German army to direct ground-to-air operations on the Eastern front. Luckily by then that whole "revolution" thing had been (almost) gotten past ... :) So in between views and pondering the power of words, some inspirational reading today, of The Declaration of Independence as well as of code breaking ~ (and if anyone wants to go to Bletchley Park let us know)

Tuesday July 8th, 2014 ~ Paris is "officially" turning 2063 today (although it is actually older than that)(settled probably around 250BC, Julius Caesar had taken it over by 52 BC and it became the capital of France in 987AD)(it's been a busy little town). On it's official 1825th birthday (and just after our first!), a 2,000-pound copper-and-tin bell now known as the “Liberty Bell” rang out from the tower of the Pennsylvania State House (now Independence Hall) in Philadelphia, summoning citizens to the first public reading of the Declaration of Independence. (We had a hard time finding a working camera in Philly but you can watch the traffic zoom around there, here) And we would be remiss if we didn't mention today is also the 67th anniversary of the UFO crash in Roswell (not that there was one our Official Government Version Division tells us) so if you can't get out there to look around you can almost get there and look around here.

Monday July 7th, 2014 ~ Running late (surprise, surprise)(and then forgot to push the blurb out there so it's even later) with just enough time to say that this is the day, back in 1941, that the US occupied Iceland ~ taking over their protection, and the protection of their waterways, from Britain which had to protect it's interests in the Mediterranean. Because we love watching Iceland anyway here are some links to check in on them 73 years later ~ enjoy the views: Iceland ~ More Iceland ~ and even more Iceland ~

Sunday July 6th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Birthday to Mark who was born on the 22nd anniversary of the very first All Star Game ever. Hope it's a great day for you Mark and the start of an excellent year. Today, to celebrate both Mark and the first All Star Game, they will be announcing the All Star Teams that will play in Tuesday's game. While originally just meant to be a one time game called the Game of the Century, this year's match up will be held on July 15th and hopefully the American League will win, just as they did at the first game (4-2) 81 years ago, and the last game (to date) (3-0) just 1 year ago ~ Enjoy the views and the day ~

Saturday July 5th, 2014 ~ Well... it's the 77th anniversary of the introduction of precooked pork and ham, with a little potato starch, salt, sugar (and sodium nitrate to make it pink instead of grey) being pressed into a can and sold ~ and we are still waiting for volunteers to go to the SPAM (There's no consensus on what the name actually stands for but whatever it stands for, Hormel specifies that it should be written in all caps) museum with us! A lazy day on the driveway is unfolding today, as we try to unfold from yetserday's celebrations. Hope everyone can still count to 10 on their fingers this morning. Relax, feet up, and enjoy the views ~

Friday July 4th, 2014 ~ First and foremost a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Ellie!!! Have a grand old day Ellie and we all hope it's the start of a great year for you!!! Then there is the little matter of the 238th birthday for the United States! (we hope it's a grand day and the start of a great year for it and all of us too). Happy 4th of July ~ be careful with the fireworks people (and don't forget whatever your weather, fireworks are a click away) Enjoy the day and the views ~ of the Statue of Liberty; of fireworks... the cams for watching fireworks, can be found here; and of course of the 4th via Coy Cam! And from Writer's Almanac: Today is Independence Day. On this day in 1776, the Second Continental Congress unanimously adopted the Declaration of Independence, and the United States officially broke from the rule of England. The document was approved and signed on July 2, and was formally adopted on July 4. John Adams always felt that the Second of July was America's true birthday, and he refused to appear at Fourth of July celebrations for the rest of his life in protest.

Thursday July 3rd, 2014 ~ We are still celebrating THE RETURN OF COY CAM ~ but also want to remind everyone that voting for the All Star Game ends tonight at 11:59 PM Eastern!!! So get out there and vote!!! In each league, you may select one player for each infield position and up to three outfielders. For the American League, you can also vote for a designated hitter. Vote for your favorites ~ or if you don't have any favorites let me know or.... you can vote for my favorites! (not sure why my 3B picks didn't show up... hmm... they were Trevor Plouffe (MIN) and Todd Frazier (CINC)) In any case ~ today is the last day to cast your votes so in-between views fill out a ballot! :)

Wednesday July 2nd, 2014 ~ It has been 77 years since Amelia Earhart was last heard from, somewhere over the Pacific ~ and each year on this date we hope that she is located, and yes, we do hope it's on or near the driveway, so help with the hunt and keep looking! Stranger things have happened. And it's a great day for returns and new sightings as we are very happy to announce ~ THE RETURN OF COY CAM!!!!!! Yes it's back !!!! In all it's glory ~ with up-to-the-minute action at the Pond ~ in 5 minute increments!!! Pace yourself, and brace yourself too because while we work on getting the Coy Cam picture larger we are also pleased to point out that driveway cam's vision has cleared up as well. So here is to the return of Ms Earhart, the pond, and the driveway ~ Enjoy the views ~

Tuesday July 1st, 2014 ~ Bunny Bunny Bunny! And welcome to July on the Driveway ~ we've done a little cleaning up for July... for those of you who practice pernoctational viewing (!) there is a page of links to watch all night just below the Near Jessie link which is just below the driveway pictures ~ Brannaman's graduation link is now working (as are several other graduation links, (and a couple of Christmas links) that had been languishing on the Family Pages page ~ and the Plaza Cam had quit working so it's been replace by Needle Cam ~ see link in table below. The Heat Index here, and for most of (both of?) our viewers, is supposed to top out over 100 today so we suggest starting July with a pitcher of ice tea or lemonade and a comfy chair on the veranda, under a shady tree, or in the basement ~ stay cool and no zipping around (like the mail did starting 51 year ago today when the post office introduced the ZIP code) ~ enjoy the views ~

Monday June 30th, 2014 ~ The last day of June, along with the last day of the first half of the year (!) is upon the driveway (as well as littered about the rest of the planet). Back in 1908 the celebration for the passing of June included a large explosion over Tunguska Siberia ~ rumors are it may have been a comet, an asteroid, a black hole, a wandering bit of antimatter, a visit from some intergalactic teens racing around the universe spinning their tires (or proton accelerators) over Siberia, or maybe even an incomprehensibly large piece of bubble wrap being popped by who knows who/what/or where ~ in any case... no crater was ever found and the debate continues. The debate over June ending however is long since settled and without question this is your very last chance to check out the driveway and the views in June of 2014 ~ so enjoy!

Sunday June 29th, 2014 ~ Happy Log Cabin Day ~ a day to encourage us to step away from a world of computers (??!!??), electric lighting and the likes, to embrace and experience a simpler existence. But just in case you can't embrace stepping away from the views (which we understand) ...A live look in at a Log Cabin, some information about Log Cabin Day in Detroit, a look in (when the sun gets there) at Log Cabins in Hawaii (that's what we said), and last, but certainly not least, an amazing view from a log "cabin". Now get out there and enjoy the views as well as a simpler existence ~ ...to lie sometimes on the grass on a summer day listening to the murmur of water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is hardly a waste of time ~ John Lubbock

Saturday June 28th, 2014 ~ It's the last Saturday June will ever have this year so make it a good one ~ take in some views virtually, or in person, or on the back of your eyelids as you nap.... If you see a Corvette wish it a Happy 61st Birthday (as it was on this day in 1953, that workers at a Chevrolet plant in Flint, Michigan, assembled the first Corvette) and if you see Henry VIII today... well, among all the things you might say, wish him a Happy 467th Birthdy. And for the now fading National Rose Month, it is said that it was his father, Henry VII, who created the Rose of England (Tudor Rose) by crossbreeding other Roses. The camera on one of Henry's favorite spots (true for many of the Tudors) isn't working, so instead of checking in at the Tower of London, we'll leave you with a look at Tower Bridge ~ now Off to the Views!

Friday June 27th, 2014 ~ Somehow the last weekend of June is already upon the driveway ~ and so is some sunshine and soon the "spring" yard clean-up guys will be here too. So much to fit in you may want to get a pitcher of ice tea ready and waiting on the veranda. And to help you remember to slow down and to stop to smell the roses (well, it is still National Rose Month after all) a note that today is the 362nd (!!) anniversary of New Amsterdam (now New York City) enacting the first speed limit law in North America ~ “no wagons, carts or sleighs shall be run, rode or driven at a gallop.” 195 years later (in 1847) on this same day communications there sped up when New York and Boston were linked by telegraph wires. And today, and through the weekend, they will be linked by the sound of "Play Ball" as the Red Sox head to the Bronx for an always entertaining series with the Yankees. Thank goodness that no galloping around law was repealed... ~ I'd rather have roses on my table than diamonds on my neck ~ Emma Goldman ~



Thursday June 26th, 2014 ~ Happy Stripes Day! Stripes Day because ~ it is the birthday of the Captain of the New York Yankees ~ Derek Jeter ~ turning 40 today (!) and born the very same day in 1974 as the first Universal Product Code (on a pack of Wrigley's Juicy Fruit Gum wearing stripes almost 20 years before Jeter) was scanned at a supermarket cash register at Marsh's Supermarket in Troy, Ohio. While Derek and the rest of the pinstripes are off today, there are 10 other games to check out. The strip of locks, canals, and channels that created a stripe of navigational channel from the Atlantic Ocean to all of the Great Lakes, was officially opened this day in 1959 by U.S. President Dwight D. Eisenhower and Queen Elizabeth II. The seaway includes stretches of the St Lawrence River, beautifully viewable here. And who knows, maybe, in-between views and innings, today is the day that goes down in history as the day that the quiz from November 6, 2009 gets answered? We can only hope. Enjoy the views ~ Baseball, to me, is still the national pastime because it is a summer game. I feel that almost all Americans are summer people, that summer is what they think of when they think of their childhood ~ Steve Busby

Wednesday June 25th, 2014 ~ It's a rainy start to the last Wednesday of the month ~ which is also the 111th birthday of George Orwell (nee Eric Blair), author of many books, among them Animal Farm and 1984. Couldn't find a webcam on any talking animals but we did find one on some fainting goats in Colorado so we're going with it. (we're also adding it to the Near Jessie cameras (slide down just below the driveway picture or click here) as these goats are only about 40 miles from where she is working) And as for big brother watching... pick a link, any link, we're watching too ~ Green was the silence, wet was the light, the month of June trembled like a butterfly ~ Pablo Neruda

Tuesday June 24th, 2014 ~ Today is the 1 year (1 Martian Year) anniversary of Curiosity exploring Mars!! It's the 687th earth day of exploration which completes a Martian year. Curiosity is looking for environmental conditions favorable for microbial life up there. Meanwhile it was 17 years ago today that U.S. Air Force officials release a 231-page report dismissing the long-standing claims of the alien spacecraft crash bringing alien life down here, in Roswell, New Mexico back in 1947. This is the only cam we could find in Roswell, however ~ for scanning the skies nearby try just West of Roswell, or, just East of Roswell. And while not live, they are just slightly delayed pictures, but pictures none the less of Mars can be found here. Let us know if you catch anything moving, on any of them! :) Enjoy To see the Summer Sky Is Poetry ~ Emily Dickinson

Monday June 23rd, 2014 ~ A most Merry Midsummer Night's Eve, also called St. John's Eve., to all ~ Celebrated all over the world, in Sweden, and Finland, (with an additional look in at Market there) Midsummer's Eve is huge. Midsummer Eve is also known as Herb Evening. Legend says that this is the best night for gathering magical herbs and, rumor has it, a special plant flowers only on this night, and the person who picks it can understand the language of the trees. (might want to look for the flower before you start up your bonfire so you know what the trees are saying about you and it...) And don't forget for your bonfiring tonight the lovely 'St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain' ~ always a favorite that was actually finished on St John's Eve in 1867. With lots of Finnish insomniac viewing to add to the pile let the romping about (or just the reading?) begin. Editors note: no bonfires tonight on the driveway as we have a guest vehicle and don't want to alarm it (or the owner). Soon will the high midsummer pomps come on ~ Matthew Arnold

Sunday June 22nd, 2014 ~ Taking the lazy part of the lazy, crazy daze of summer seriously on this side of the driveway ~ but we will rapidly turn you over to the views. Happy Travels to the Georgia folks headed back home from Louisville (and to anyone else traveling as well). Quickly before the clock strikes 12 we'll say enjoy the views, enjoy the 2nd day of summer, and enjoy the insomniac viewing made available by this lovely time of year. Links were in yesterday's post (head to the previously section near the bottom of this page) but anything "up North" will probably work. This picture was taken last night when it was 3 AM this morning in Sweden ~ Summer has filled her veins with light and her heart is washed with noon ~ C. Day Lewis



Saturday June 21st, 2014 ~ It's Summer! ~ the solstice came while we were sleeping (but we did notice bites out of the cookies we left for it...). It's the day brought by those lovely, and oh so magical, 23.5 degrees that bring us (among other seasons) Summer ~ aka Insomniacs Viewing Season! The myriad of late night views awaits: in Iceland, here too , and/or here ~ and in Norway ~ and all over Alaska (some of our favorites) at Homer Bay; in Fairbanks; at Potter Marsh; and in Anchorage; (as well as here and of course here). And don't forget the Aurora Cams for late night/daylight viewing ~ Cam 2 or Cam 5 are good places to start. Down in Kentucky the Solstice Celebration and Gathering goes on ~ we wish we were there ~ enjoy the long day. However you fill your 15 hrs and 23 minutes of daylight (the amount the driveway will be having this Solstice ~ find your amount here) ~ embrace the tilt and enjoy the views! Without further ado... Summer on the Driveway ~ Oh, the summer night, Has a smile of light, And she sits on a sapphire throne ~ Bryan Procter

Friday June 20th, 2014 ~ Summer is just a few hours away ~ the solstice happens at 6:51 AM tomorrow morning (eastern)(know we won't get this updated by then so we're telling you now) ~ And summer brings swimming and just a note that it is safe to go back into the water even though it was 39 years ago today that Steven Spielberg tried to convince us to never go into the ocean (or maybe any body of water) ever again when his movie Jaws was released. So a little shark watching today before we throw caution to the wind and dive into summer ~ There are sharks out and about at the National Aquarium, and sharks to watch at the California Academy of Sciences as well as ones to watch at one of our regulars the Monterey Bay Aquarium ~ and don't forget some musical background ambiance while you view...

Thursday June 19th, 2014 ~ Happy Birthday Karen! We hope it's a lovely day for you and the start of an excellent year ~ As we hurtle towards the summer solstice, and in honor of Karen's birthday, we've done some housekeeping in the chart of links below. There are several that have stopped working and they have been replaced for the time being with some new views you should definately check out. Removed (sadly, but put on the retired links page for checking should they start working again) were: Uninhabited Island Cam; Black Footed Feret Cam; MeerKat Cam; Volcano Cam (Mt St Helens) and Flamingo Cam ~ it was a very rough winter and spring for the views ~ Also we've retired (on purpose) 2013-14 Snow Watching Links. For your new viewing pleasures please enjoy in their places Inhabited Island Cam; Turtle Rehab Cam; CN Tower Cam; Ely Corner Cam; Plaza Cam; and our new/current favorite cam of all Turret Cam (last seen May 18th, now a front page link by popular demand). Birthday cake and new views all around ~ Enjoy ~

Wednesday June 18th, 2014 ~ A complicated day in history it was 31 years ago today Sally K. Ride became the first American woman to go into space on the Space Shuttle Challenger's second flight ~ and 141 years (to the day) before Sally launched into space, Susan B. Anthony was fined $100 for attempting to vote. Meanwhile 202 years ago today the war of 1812 started and 199 years ago today Napoleon lost at Waterloo (helping our cause in the war here). So... a look at a place Sally didn't go to, but where the robotic arm she helped design and build helped build, a look at a bridge named after Susan in the city where she not only voted, but was later fined, a look in at some Waterloos, none of which being the Waterloo of Napoleon's loss (lovely views but it wasn't here, or here, or here), and a look at a spot where a battle in the War of 1812 took place not today, but tomorrow (and not in 1812 but in 1813). We told you it was complicated, but do enjoy the views! ps ~ the Waterloo Bridge is the bridge in that view closest to you when the camera pans all the way to the left (in case you were wondering)

Tuesday June 17th, 2014 ~ It is the 129th anniversary of the day the Statue of Liberty arrived in New York City on the French ship Isere ~ and the webcams in the Statue are always a good view. And of course don't forget to take in a view (or two) of today's birthday country ~ republic of Iceland!!! (1944). A lovely view is right here, with another sky view here, and our favorite Uninhabited Island Cam as well. More Icelandic web cams here, also here and here. There are several good views where you can even watch for traffic (!) here And in case you were wondering since it is National Rose Month... yes, they do grow roses in Iceland ~ Enjoy ~



Monday June 16th, 2014 ~ We want to wish Uncle Ed a very Happy Birthday today ~ and hope it's the start of a wonderful year ahead for him. And with the lovely new Great Grand-daughter he has, how it could it not? :) Today is also Bloomsday! So for all you Ulysses fans out there so we of course need to check in on our favorite pub in Dublin: O'Shea's, as well as check in on Coney Island, where on this day in 1884 America's first roller coaster opened! Here is a look in at one at Cedar Point as well, just because, and one in Texas, and another in California. Enjoy the ups and downs today as well as the views ~

Sunday June 15th, 2014 ~ Let the voice of the lawn mower be silent today, in honor of Father's Day ~ A very happy Father's Day to all you fathers out there ~ take to your hammocks, your couches, your favorite recliners, your most comfortable porch swings and shady spots when you can. Take your kids to lunch, toss a ball with them, spend some time with them, put your feet up, relax, and repeat. Above all, enjoy the day ~ oh, and the views of course....

Saturday June 14th, 2014 ~ A very happy Flag Day to one and all. It was this day back in 1777 that the Second Continental Congress approved the Stars and Stripes as the flag of the United States ~ Woodrow Wilson formally declared June 14 to be Flag Day in 1916, and Congress established National Flag Day in 1949. So get out there and wave today. Some of our favorite views of the Stars and Stripes waving in case you can't get out today... Here by a lake, as well as Here and/or Here, and another Flag/Lake combination we like. While for National Rose Month a look in at the Rose Garden and the Flag at the White House. And just because we can't resist (plus it's a lovely view) a view where a flag used to be Enjoy ~ :)

Friday June 13th, 2014 ~ Hey all you Friggatriskaidekaphobics (and Triskaidekaphobics too) ~ it's your day! And if you have any friends who are Selenophobes they'll probably be joining you under the bed as we welcome the only Friday the 13th this year! And...it's the full moon today too! The perfect day (as one viewer told us) to whistle while walking past a cemetery as you throw salt over your shoulder, being sure to go under a ladder while a black cat is crossing your path and you are breaking a mirror. The good news is there are no more Friday the 13ths until next February so make it through today and it's clear sailing (well, sadly for the selenophobes the moon remains a constant threat). Today is also the day back in 1983 that Pioneer 10 left the solar system ~ and became the first man made object to enter interstellar space. That was 11 years after it was launched (!) and 20 years before it would stop sending signals to us. Mark your calendars because Pioneer 10 will pass within three light years of another star--Ross 246--in the year 34,600 A.D. Fingers crossed as we still wait for an R.S.V.P to the invitation and greeting we mailed aboard Pioneer 10. If we're lucky, maybe we'll hear something today...

Thursday June 12th, 2014 ~ In honor of the 72nd anniversary of the day Anne Frank received her diary... a look in at Amsterdam. The webcam on the Anne Frank House is no longer operational but there are several other lovely Amsterdam views here. Enjoy the views ~ and start a diary! :)

Wednesday June 11th, 2014 ~ Having recently driven through Ohio, twice, we'd like to remind everyone (everywhere) that June is not only National Rose Month, it's also National Courtesy Lane Month. Just saying. A rainy Wednesday calls for cake ~ and luckily we can answer that call as today is the birthday of David Barnard Steinman (he'd be 128), an expert in aerodynamically stable bridges, he designed more than 400 of them. We'll visit a few of them before heading off to the regular views, and to the cake ~ The Mackinac Straits Bridge in Michigan, the Saint Johns Bridge in Oregon, the Sidney Harbor Bridge in Australia, and while we couldn't find a camera on the bridge, here is a lovely view of Deer Isle you can get to after crossing his Deer Isle Bridge in Maine. Enjoy the views ~

Tuesday June 10th, 2014 ~ We're back... and with any luck will get some pictures of the graduation weekend posted this week. It was a lovely time and went too fast (as all time seems to these days) It is overcast here but it's National Iced Tea Day so go ahead and make a pitcher of your favorite flavor ~ ours happens to be Red Rose, however perhaps yours might be Rose Hip? ~ put your feet up, and enjoy the views. It's also time to be voting for your favorite pitcher (and other players) for the All Star Game on July 15th ~ if you haven't voted yet, it's time to start. [You can vote a maximum of 25 times, and voting ends at 11:59 PM ET Thursday, July 3, 2014.] Enjoy the ice tea and the views 'round the driveway ~



Friday June 6th, 2014 ~ Today is the 70th anniversary of D-Day and to that end we bring back the Normandy American Cemetery webcam (sadly off today for security reasons but back tomorrow) as well as the Statue of Liberty Cams ~ We hope you can watch it and maybe even save some screen snaps for us as: France is wheeling out the big guns to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the allied forces who took part in the Normandy landings, and New York is also planning to celebrate, with one million rose petals set to be launched over the Statue of Liberty. Organized by the association The French Will Never Forget, in collaboration with the French Consulate in New York, the petals will be launched on June 6 at approximately noon, while the French and American flags are unfurled at the foot of Lady Liberty. (It is also National Donut Day ~ with free donuts at Dunkin Donuts (and other donut establishments, check your local area by googling))

Thursday June 5th, 2014 ~ It's HAPPY 4th BIRTHDAY CHASE DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!! That's right, the heartbreaker of Nelson County is turning 4 today! Amazing ~ and we hope it is an amazing year for him!!! Because we will be on the road tomorrow (heading to Brannaman's graduation and some post birthday celebrations) our public service department wants to make sure you know tomorrow is National Donut Day ~ with free donuts at Dunkin Donuts (and other donut establishments, check your local area by googling)!!! More importantly ~ Tomorrow is the 70th anniversary of D-Day and to that end we bring back the Normandy American Cemetery webcam as well as the Statue of Liberty Cams ~ we're very sad we are going to miss this one, but we will be on the road at noon. We hope you can watch it and maybe even save some screen snaps for us: France is wheeling out the big guns to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the allied forces who took part in the Normandy landings, and New York is also planning to celebrate, with one million rose petals set to be launched over the Statue of Liberty. Organized by the association The French Will Never Forget, in collaboration with the French Consulate in New York, the petals will be launched on June 6 at approximately noon, while the French and American flags are unfurled at the foot of Lady Liberty.

Wednesday June 4th, 2014 ~ It was on this day in 1919 that Congress finally passed the 19th Amendment. They had first introduced an amendment for giving women the vote in 1878, and continued to introduce it with every new Congress, but it took more than 40 years for them to submit the amendment for ratification. It was added to the Constitution the following year with Tennessee's ratification being the final vote needed. As a side note here in National Rose Month, it was the War of the Roses that summer in Tennessee ~ red roses were the flower of choice for the Anti-Suffragists, and even the legislators "showed their colors" by wearing red roses on their lapels. Yellow roses were the flower of choice of the Suffragists. While the red roses outnumbered the yellow the day of the vote, 49 to 47, the vote was a tie until the 3rd roll call when.... "With wilted collars and frayed nerves, the legislators squared off for the third roll call. A blatant red rose on his breast, Harry Burn--the youngest member of the legislature--suddenly broke the deadlock. Despite his red rose, he voted in favor of the bill and the house erupted into pandemonium. With his "yea," Burn had delivered universal suffrage to all American women"



Tuesday June 3rd, 2014 ~ A rainy day on the driveway, and all over the place, but there are fair skies out there ~ Seem to be a lot of them in Texas which works because it's the birthday of author Larry McMurtry (he's turning 78) ~ born and raised in Texas he also writes of Texas, in his novels and screenplays. He also owns and operates book stores and once said "...The bookshops are a form of ranching; instead of herding cattle, I herd books....". And today is the anniversary of Major Edward H White II (also from Texas), leaving Gemini 4 to step outside to become the first American to Walk in Space 49 years ago ~ So our nod to the rose today is to the Yellow rose of Texas ~ no, not the song but the rose....



Monday June 2nd, 2014 ~ Nothing is as lovely as a morning in June ~ and this lovely Monday in June is due to be busy for a short burst and then fall into the perfect of driveway viewing days. That's right it's driveway resealing day! Not only do we get to see the fastest re-sealers in the west (and east, and north, and south) try to break their previous records but then, ah then... we get to watch the seal set. And as we are remembering to stop and smell the roses all this month should you find a Lady Marmalade rose take an extra deep breath ~ it's the 2014 Rose of the Year (as chosen by Royal Horticultural Society!). We'll try to capture the re-sealing for some instant replay but no promises ~ it is a Monday morning after all. Some people are always grumbling because roses have thorns; I am thankful that thorns have roses ~ Alphonse Karr



Sunday June 1st, 2014 ~ It's June! Already ~ and we're ready! Break out the ice-tea, the sunscreen, the beach towels and the jarts (well, don't break those out if they are illegal in your area). And don't forget to stop to smell the roses too as June is National Rose Month. Given roses have been around for quite some time ~ a fossilized imprint of a rose was discovered in Florissant, CO ~ it's estimated age: about 40 million years old ~ it seems a month in their honor is only fair. So let's get out there and June it up! And if you can't get out, you can check out some rosey views ~ here, here, and here (?). Enjoy ~ One may live without bread, not without roses ~ Jean Richepin

Saturday May 31st, 2014 ~ We want to say top-of-the-morning-afternoon-and-evening to Pat (she knows who she is), not because it is her birthday (!) but because it is the last day of May and Walt Whitman's birthday and the day that Big Ben rang out for the first time, 155 years ago today, and that always makes us think of her ~ Small aside on Big Ben...rumor is its famously accurate timekeeping is regulated by a stack of coins placed on the clock's huge pendulum, ensuring a steady movement of the clock hands at all times ~ Smaller aside, we don't prove or disprove rumors here at Driveway Cam International ~ we merely propagate them! As Big Ben celebrates a milestone (unlike Pat who is just having a plain old non-special day) you can read even more about it here, as well as watch it here, and you can even check in on the weather Pat is having on this regular old last day of May ~ enjoy the views and Happy Birthday to everyone having a birthday today! :)

Friday May 30th, 2014 ~ It's almost the weekend, and today is the day in 1956 that Mickey Mantel, for the first time, almost hit a homerun out of (old) Yankee Stadium (he went on to almost do that 5 more times... just fyi... no one ever hit one out of that park). The top 18" of the facade at the stadium kept the ball in the park that day. Seems like reason enough to celebrate today with a new quiz for the first time in almost 18 months! The space program did hit one out of the park this day in 1971 when Mariner 9 was launched and would become the first spacecraft to orbit a planet other than earth. Mariner 9 sent back more than 7,000 pictures of what is now Curiosity's home ~ Mars. Enjoy the views ~

Thursday May 29th, 2014 ~ 6,575 days (some of the fastest days in recent history) ago today Brannaman introduced himself to the world, which means we once again get to celebrate that and wish him a VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!! Hope it's a fabulous birthday Brannaman!!!!! And the start of a most remarkable trip around the sun for you (and for all of us). So cake, ice-cream, and candles all around ~ While singing Happy Birthday note a few other debuts this day... The Spoon River Anthology was published 100 years ago today in honor of the eventually arriving Brannaman, along with the Rite of Spring which debuted 101 years ago for the same reason ~ Bob Hope debuted today (he'd be turning 111 (!?!), as did JFK (who would be turning 97) to name a few. But all of that pales in the realization that Brannaman is turning 18!!!!!

Wednesday May 28th, 2014 ~ It was 112 years ago today that the book considered the first true Western, The Virginian, was published. So we thought we'd head out..... well, west, of course, to Wyoming ~ along with a new Near Jessie Geographically Camera ~ NJG camera five ~ in Louisville (!), the Louisville that is about 5 miles from her (this will make you even more jealous of all that big sky she is under this summer). With a stop for a lovely look into Montana (click on the picture there to get a larger view of it) to add to all the other western views waiting here for you. We've even updated the Trial View for the occasion (don't forget the trial views are put on the Retired Links Page if they don't make it to the front page permanently ~ no need to panic, they are always available) so put some hitch in your giddy-up, scroll on down, and mosey on out to the views ~

Tuesday May 27th, 2014 ~ We hope everyone had a safe and Happy Memorial Day Weekend, and you are now ready to get back to driveway viewing ~ It was 81 years ago today that we first starting asking "Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Wolf", with the premier of the film ~ The 3 Little Pigs (which you can watch in it's entirety here (it was (and is) just over 8 minutes long)) ~ And today is also the 77th anniversary of the opening of the Golden Gate Bridge (which is 8,980' long). You can do a virtual walk of it right here, watch the toll plaza here, or drive a view, or 2, of it here. If you'd rather watch the bridge from a-far (okay, sort of redundant given the distance it is from the driveway), here is the view via fog cam and/or in its usual spot in the table.

Monday May 26th, 2014 ~ Happy Memorial Day to all our viewers, and to all our non-viewers too (if there are any)(in either category!). The first official observance of what we now know as "Memorial Day" was held 146 years ago on May 30, 1868. The day was set aside to honor those who died "in defense of the country during the late rebellion." (from the Writer's Almanac). Today is also the birthday of Sally Ride, the first U.S. woman in space (her first launch was on the Challenger, June 18, 1983), which somehow is 31 years ago. So a look in at the Normandy American Cemetery today (views are live from 2:00AM - 12:00 Eastern), and a look at some pictures taken by Middle School students via the Sally Ride EarthKam program using a digital camera on board the International Space Station, as well as a view from the ISS. Enjoy ~

Sunday May 25th, 2014 ~ It's a quiet Sunday on the driveway and hopefully on all your views today. While it is the day before Memorial Day, it is also the day back in 1977 that the Chinese government lifted a ban on the works of Shakespeare and stated that a Chinese-language edition of the Bard's works would soon be available ~ so a couple of views of Shanghai and Hong Kong (here) and (here) and (here) and (here) and the last words to the bard, from Hamlet ~ for Memorial Day ~ (mouse over them for transaltion (if needed)) ~



Saturday May 24th, 2014 ~ If you see Jim-bo-billy-Bob out and about today be sure to wish him a Very Happy Birthday! Send him a postcard, drop him a line, stating point of view ~ Indicate precisely what you mean to say because now he's 64!!!!!! What more can be said? If you want to get him a little something for his birthday think islands... as it was 388 years ago today that Peter Minuit bought Manhattan island from the local Indians for a load of cloth, beads, hatchets, and other odds and ends then worth 60 Dutch guilders. Or maybe think lights as it was 79 years ago today (tonight) that the Cincinnati Reds beat the Philadelphia Phillies 2-1 in Major League Baseball’s first-ever night game, played courtesy of recently installed lights at Crosley Field in Cincinnati. (Cincinnati is playing St. Louis this evening under the lights). Or maybe just think some cake and ice-cream all around ~ and enjoy the views!

Friday May 23rd, 2014 ~ It's the start of the weekend that bridges Spring with the unofficial start of Summer ~ which makes sense since it's also the 125th anniversary of the opening of the Brooklyn Bridge over the East River in New York City, and the 146th anniversary of the opening of the Westminster Bridge over the River Thames in London. 104 years ago today Margaret Wise Brown was born, and in anticipation of her books needing a place to go, 103 years ago marked the opening of the New York Public Library (we're pretty sure it was M.W.Brown who gave libraries the idea of old ladies whispering hush!) ~ It is also the birthday of the man (Edward Norton Lorenz) who gave us Chaos Theory in an attempt to explain weather forecasting ~ so check out all the views today for butterflies, with an eye on what effect they'll be having on other views tomorrow...for a larger view click on the picture which is from ImagieNations



Thursday May 22nd, 2014 ~ Sometimes the days go so fast they seem to not have been here at all, but today is Thursday and a lovely day for watching the world revolve (around the driveway, or just from the driveway) if there ever was one. It is the 2nd anniversary of the appearance of the Hyundai on the driveway as well as the 52nd anniversary of the dedication of the first revolving restaurant in the us ~ the SkyCity restaurant in the Space Needle in Seattle, Wash. It continues to rotate 360 degrees every hour, and we'll try to continue to show you the driveway as it rotates (with the rest of us) all day. Each shot in 10 minute increments shows the driveway (and you) having rotated approximately 166.6 miles since the previous shot ~ (as well as having moved approximately 11,846.6 miles further around the sun). You'll get dizzy if you think about it too much so just sit back (fight the urge to tie yourself to the chair) and enjoy whatever sites come into view ~

Tuesday May 20th, 2014 ~ There are so many riveting views out there ~ it's hard to know where to start. The nest cams are mostly full of fledglings, or chicks about to be fledglings and are always good viewing. And here are 2 more cameras that are "nearby Jessie geographically" NJG camera three and NJG camera four. We were all riveted 24 years ago today when the Hubble Space Telescope sent its first photograph from space, an image of a double star 1,260 light years away. But the riveting that we all know, and love, almost every single day was begun this very day, 141 years ago, when Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss got the patent for work pants reinforced with rivets. A few views of Levi(s) for the road ~ here, and here, and here ~ enjoy the views!

Monday May 19th, 2014 ~ It's "2 Late 4 A 2 Dor" Day.. as it was on this date back in 1987 that Chet Flemming received patent US # 4,666,425 for keeping a severed head alive. Unfortunately it came 451 years (to the day) too late for the young Anne Tudor (nee Boleyn) who lost her head, because her husband lost his mind (and his heart to another), on this date back in 1536. It's also the 40th anniversary of the Rubiks cube which may make you lose your mind (but hopefully no heads will roll) while you try to solve it on google today. Heads up...it's addicting! Enjoy oh and be sure to click on the picture to get the details :)



Sunday May 18th, 2014 ~ A quick look at Broomfield Colorado Airport today...where Jessie may have landed yesterday (!)(sorry we missed it!) although she may have landed in Denver (hopefully not at that terminal) we're just not sure ~ she is out there for the summer (we are quite jealous) on an internship and if we hear of any opportunities for a sighting we'll let you know, however to keep up with her generally... here are 2 cameras that are "nearby Jessie geographically" NJG camera one and NJG camera two. In other news, today is "International non-profit permanent institution in the service of society and its development, open to the public, which acquires, conserves, researches, communicates and exhibits the tangible and intangible heritage of humanity and its environment for the purposes of education, study and enjoyment" Day! AKA ~ International Museum Day ~ so take one to lunch or visit one today! Or you can control a camera around the Titanic Museum, or visit a children's museum (from 12-5 Pacific), or watch an exhibit undergoing conservation for eventual display (should be ready in 15 years)(!) right from the driveway if you can't celebrate IMD in person today. Enjoy ~

Saturday May 17th, 2014 ~ Happy Saturday ~ the rains have stopped, at least around here, and hopefully things will start to dry out. Meanwhile, there are views awaiting ~ views, on this Antikythera Mechanism Day, brought to you by the ancient Greeks. We want to take the time today to thank those 2nd century BC Greek geeks for starting it all and providing us with the groundwork to bring you Driveway Cam [or as it was known then] ~ In return, we'd like to provide a view they would enjoy, a live look in at the Temple of Apollo (built just 200 years before the approximately 2300 year old computer that was found this very day in 1902) ~

Friday May 16th, 2014 ~ Late start, which can't actually be blamed on all the local flooding but the blurb division gloms on to any excuse they can and they are sticking with it. It's a good day for singing in the rain, not only because of all the rain but also because it was 50 years ago today (!!) that Motown Records (then 2 years old) got it's very first #1 hit ~ My Guy by Mary Wells topped the charts and the rest, as they say, is history. So don't fight the tune now running through your brain ~ just grab your umbrella and sing out!

Thursday May 15th, 2014 ~ With all the rain and flooding, we could all use a Rainbow right about now. And if you happen to spot a rainbow today you just may want to wander somewhere over it in honor of the birthday of Lyman Frank Baum who was born in Chittenango, New York 158 years ago. We'll continue our search for a Rainbow Cam (guessing it would be mobile) but until then take this handy weather map with you when you head out to the views ~ with a prize to anyone who finds (and takes a screen shot of) a rainbow in one of the views today (~ one small hint ~ at least one of the views you'll find here quite frequently has a rainbow, but we're not saying which one it is) ~ Happy Hunting! (ps ~ The "date" cam (the one on the date link) is tree cam while the tree is blooming ~ just fyi)

Wednesday May 14th, 2014 ~ The 134th day of the year is here, and what a day it's been throughout its history. On this date: in 1840 ~ Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery began their expedition; in 1856 ~ Charles Darwin began writing his book, The Origin of Species; in 1932 ~ there was a day-long Beer Parade, in New York with over 100,000 people cheering for the legalization of beer (as well as 40,000+ at a similar parade held in Detroit at the same time (even tho' Henry Ford had said if prohibition was repealed he would get out of the car business rather than put automobiles into the hands of "a generation soggy with drink")); and in 1942 ~ Harry Truman signed the bill establishing a rocket test range at Cape Canaveral. All of which led, (directly (or not)) to the successful launch, of Skylab, America's first space station, on this very day in 1973, and in some smaller way (perhaps) to the views here on driveway cam today. With all that historic effort getting us here.... be sure to enjoy the views!

Tuesday May 13th, 2014 ~ Rumor has it that it was this day, in 1637, that the table knife was created by Cardinal Richelieu in France. The rounded ended knives soon replaced the daggers previously used to cut meat. We have no idea what to do with that information, but upon asking The Google we were given 3 lovely views that we now offer up.... the first is of the Knife River, in Minnesota, the second is 46.6 miles outside of Dagger, Arizona, and the last baffles us but earthcam swears it is from Dagger, Iran (not that we can find any map reference to such a place). Before we end up being even later than we already are we're going to cut out the chit-chat and turn you over to some slices of life on the driveway and beyond ~

Monday May 12th, 2014 ~ The blurb division was off yesterday, and apparently so was the camera. Sorry about that ~ We are working to get all the piecey-parts of Drivewaycam International working together smoothly again ~ fingers crossed it can only get better! We would like to wish Yogi Berra a very Happy Birthday, along with Florence Nightingale. And if you go for a drive or ride today be sure to tip your hat to the Odometer which is celebrating it's 127th anniversary of being invented by Mormon Pioneer William Clayton this very day in 1847 (while migrating from Missouri to Utah). However far you travel today, enjoy the views along the way ~

Saturday May 10th, 2014 ~ It's starting out a sunny Saturday ~ though it may not stay sunny for long (rain is the rumor). Having to postpone the original date of May 8th because of rainy weather that day, it was on this very day, back in 1869, that America's coasts were joined together at the Golden Spike ceremony in Promontory Utah as the first Transcontinental Railroad was completed. And it was just 8 years later to the day that President Rutherford B. Hayes had the White House's first telephone installed in the mansion's telegraph room. At that time the White House phone number was "1". :) Building on that initial numbering scheme, if you'd like to leave a message for the White House (and or the President), the number is now 202-456-1111 (if you need to call otherwise, the switchboard number is 202-456-1414). Don't forget to stop and smell the lilacs whenever possible today, and enjoy the views ~



Friday May 9th, 2014 ~ Been a long road.... but we are almost back! The Lilac Festival starts today in Rochester ~ wish you were all here for it. And over the weekend we will be moving the alternate drivewaycam (on the date link) to be tree cam as the trees next to the driveway are ready to bloom. Until then we are trying to get all the ducks back in a row here at Drivewaycam International ~ not an easy task, as you can imagine knowing the ducks that run around here ~ while we do that a quick Happy Birthday to James Pollard Espy, who gave the first explanation of the thermodynamics of cloud formation (he'd be 229, except we figure he's hanging around in the clouds these days) and it's off to the clouds and the driveway and all the views out there waiting ~

Thursday May 1st, 2014 ~ The Blurb PC decided to go south, or at least it's hard drive did so no updates until it is rebuilt... however, with a new month shining down on the driveway along with all the rain...plus the new month also starting on Hannah's Birthday (!!)... well, we just had to beg, borrow, and steal some access to say HAPPY 25TH BIRTHDAY HANNAH ~ and Happy May to us all. The cameras should keep working so the driveway should stay in view, and of course all the other views are out there waiting, and with any luck the Blurb Division will be back by the end of next week at the latest (if we can't beg/borrow/steal access again). Until then cake and ice-cream all around and enjoy the views ~

Monday, April 28th 2014 ~ It is the last Monday morning of April and the drivewaycam crew is dragging (as they usually are, but especially on Monday mornings). While we are trying to get motivated we'll take a birthday break for Eugene Merle Shoemaker (4/28/1928) and Ferruccio Lamborghini (4/28/1916). One was an American planetary geologist who among other things co-discovered the Shoemaker-Levy 9 comet that crashed into Jupiter in 1994 (taking with it all sorts of universal debris it had been dragging along for some time); the other was an Italian industrialist who founded a tractor company and then later a luxury car company (many of said cars having crashed into all sorts of things, as well as many of others that visit strips specifically for dragging). Given it's also National Distracted Drivers Month we suggest not dragging out your cell phone to talk if you are driving (a car or a comet), or eating birthday cake, and certainly not while viewing ~ that public safety announcement done, we return you to the views ~

Sunday April 27th, 2014 ~ A sunny and late start to the driveway viewing today. We'd like to wish a very Happy Birthday to the man who gave us 12 little girls in 2 straight lines ~ Ludwig Bemelmans. If you haven't read Madeline in a while, this is the perfect day to fix that. And if you don't have it, and/or your library is closed, you can listen to it here. Today is also the day (according to the German mathematician and astronomer Johannes Kepler) that the universe was created (?!?) back in 4977 B.C.!! So while most of this particular planet feels a lot older than 6991 ~ we'll celebrate the day anyway and just assume Herr Kepler, who got so many other things right, must have dropped a few zeroes somewhere. So Happy Birthday Universe ~ Here's looking at you kid ~

Saturday April 26th, 2014 ~ The last Saturday of April got here pretty quickly we think, but as it's here we're going to enjoy it! There are nests to be visited (where things are hopping) and vistas all over the place to check out, which may, or may not, be shaking as we celebrate the birthday of Dr. Charles Richter (of Richter Scale fame). It's also the perfect day, if your weather cooperates, to shake off the cobwebs and hop on over to a park as it is also the birthday of Frederick Law Olmsted ~ American landscape architect who not only designed Central Park in New York City, but parks in Rochester, and Louisville, and so many others (in 25 states) that everything we understand a park to be comes from his designs. With many thanks to Frederick for providing us places to prevent "...the severe forms of softening of the brain", it's on to the views and hopefully out to a park ~

Friday April 25th, 2014 ~ Put on your tuxedo and take a penguin to lunch ~ as it's World Penguin Day! Once again we present live views (careful, they are quite addicting to watch) in San Diego, as well as in Monterey Bay, in London, in Dublin, at the California Academy of Sciences (loads v e r y slowly, be patient) and of course, where our favorite penguins hang out, in Antarctica, a nice place to check in on as some of the penguins are still hanging around (tho' we don't quite understand why). Enjoy the sites and sounds of World Penguin Day ~

Thursday April 24th, 2014 ~ Today's cake is in honor of the birthday of Allison! We hope it's a very Happy Birthday for you Allison and that it is a great year ahead for you!! A little ahead of time, though still in your honor, back in 1800, President John Adams approved legislation to appropriate $5,000 to purchase "such books as may be necessary for the use of Congress," thus establishing the Library of Congress. And also, for your 10th birthday, NASA launched the Hubble telescope. So cake all around ~ and ice cream too! And if you happen to be at the Library of Congress today you can listen to any of the 246 Happy Birthday recordings there (and oh how we would love to wander the 838 miles of bookcases in person....) Happy Viewing ~

Wednesday April 23rd, 2014 ~ What a day what a day ~ The Bard is turning 450!!! and Wrigley Field is turning 100!!! We know Shakespeare would have loved Wrigley, he wrote of baseball often (!). So it is definitely time to brush up your Shakespeare and start quoting him now. If you think you can't, you're wrong. Check this link and you'll realize that we all quote him, almost every day. If you'd like to read his works, they are here, if you'd like to know how Shakespeare caused an airplane crash it's here and if you'd like to see how things are in Stratford Upon Avon today then click right here. And then don't forget to check in with Wrigley Field too and wish it a very happy 100th! Let's party like it's 1914 AND 1564!! Enjoy ~

Tuesday April 22nd, 2014 ~ To celebrate Earth Day we are having rain (and cooler temperatures) ~ doesn't bode well for us seeing the Lyrid Meteor Shower peaking overnight in these parts but hopefully you will get to see them where you are. More information is below in Previously from Saturday the 19th, but basically where should you look? Northeast sky generally. When? Between midnight and dawn. How? Put on some warm clothes, go outside, lay down (or get a recliner), bring a friend and something hot to drink, then look up! The earth day google doodle is cute, and has one scene with snow monkeys (love them!) ~ you can watch for them live here, and here as well. Google also features a jelly fish and we love watching jellyfish live here ~ there are lots of earth views out there waiting ~ enjoy!



Monday April 21st, 2014 ~ It's a beautiful Dyngus Day on the Driveway and we hope it is where you are too! While it is true that "everybody is Polish on Dyngus Day" it may also be true that it is celebrated more 'round these parts than other places. Still ~ gather your pussy willows while you may and enjoy the day ~ The parade starts at 5:00 (so you have plenty of time to get to it) If you can't make it to Buffalo, Cleveland is holding their 4th annual Dyngus Day Celebration so maybe you can catch some Polish sausage, noodles, pierogies, pickled eggs and beets there! Don't know if the parades are going anywhere near here but before we turn you over to the daily views here is a look in at Buffalo as well as Cleveland. Enjoy ~

Sunday April 20th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Easter to all ~ and in the Easter Bunny's honor some new rabbit cams! One from Animal Planet, and one from Minnesota. The day's viewing wouldn't be complete without checking in on the chicks right here and of course all the eggs and chicks right here ~ so put on your Easter Bonnet, grab your chocolates and your malted milk eggs, (ohhh wish we had some of those) and enjoy the views ~

Saturday April 19th, 2014 ~ It is catch up weekend ~ if you haven't checked in on the nests, or the cherry blossoms this would be a good time to catch up with them. It would also be a good day to take a nap (aren't they all?)and catch some Zzzz's because we are in the midst of the Lyrids Meteor Shower (usually from the 16th to the 25th). It is due to peak on the 22nd/23rd but any of the next 5-6 nights are good for looking. Where? Northeast sky generally. When? Between midnight and dawn (hence the nap). How? Put on some warm clothes, go outside, lay down (or get a recliner), bring a friend and something hot to drink, then look up! (If you can't get outside to watch, you can listen, anytime, right here. Now go, enjoy the views, take a nap, and we'll catch up with you later ~

Friday April 18th, 2014 ~ The Weekend is Coming!! The Weekend is Coming!!!! ~ which luckily is all we have to run around yelling today, unlike this day in 1775 when Paul Revere and William Dawes were out on their ride warning us about the British. We'd also like to yell a bit about the launch of the Dragon today at 3:25 p.m. which will be on NASA TV and right here of course. Live coverage of the launch begins at 2:15 p.m., and there is a 40% chance of good weather at launch time, with a chance of thunderstorms in the area that could prevent liftoff. So fingers crossed all around (a time honored meteorological counter measures tactic)(with a 50% chance of working). A look in at Boston, as well as Lexington, and of course Concord for some of the views they might have had on their ride and then it's back to today's views and getting the word out that... the weekend is coming! ~

Thursday April 17th, 2014 ~ Today is the 50th anniversary of the day in 1964 that Jerrie Mock safely landed back in Columbus Ohio to become the first woman to fly solo around the world! Her orbit of the planet took 29.5 days (including 21 stopovers, and about 22,860 miles in flight). Just 6 years later to the day, Apollo 13 would also land safely, after their aborted mission to the moon. While their entire trip lasted 5 days 22 hrs and 54 minutes (and covered well over 400,000 miles) their time for flying around the world was 1 hr, 28 minutes, 17 seconds. However long it takes you we hope you enjoy orbiting the views and safe landings all around ~

Wednesday April 16th, 2014 ~ The sun is shining, the temperature has already rocketed up to 25, and it's National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day! Had we been up and about earlier we may have saved you from embarassing yourself by dressing for work today, however, there still is time to go home at lunch and change. On your way to and/or from home if you pass a bookmobile be sure to wave as it's also National Bookmobile Day! And to add to the all the celebrations it is also the 102nd anniversary of the day the first female pilot flew across the English Channel. She was also the first American woman to get a pilots license, and has one of our favorite names ~ Harriet Quimby. A look in at the channel and then it's off to the rest of the views ~ enjoy ~

Tuesday April 15th, 2014 ~ Yesterday's space viewing was a bit of a bust here on the driveway ~ helium leak grounded the Dragon (there is an 80% chance (no wagering please) of the Dragon taking off on Friday (more on that later)), and it was raining here so no Mars, and no Eclipse. Today is a bit of a bust historically as well given it's the day the unsinkable Titanic sank, and the day Abraham Lincoln died (though not on the Titanic, as that sentence might have implied). And let's not even talk taxes... But it is also Leonardo DaVinci's birthday *and* it is the 67th anniversary of the day Jackie Robinson played his first game for the Brooklyn Dodgers and all of baseball is celebrating and honoring him today. So just ignore the cold/rain/snow and enjoy some baseball, some DaVinci, the views of course, and either the calm of having your taxes done, or the sheer exhilaration of trying to get them done ~

Monday April 14th, 2014 ~ So much news ~ first it is the start of National Library Week (through the 19th), and if you can't get to a library, you can watch one right here. While physically at your library you might want to read Grapes of Wrath (first published this day in 1939) (at a virtual library? read it here.) It is also Whole Lotta Space Day because: [1] NASA will be televising the lift-off of the Dragon Cargo run to the ISS this afternoon on NASA TV (and here). It will lift off at approximately 4:58 p.m. EDT. NASA live coverage of the launch begins at 3:45 p.m. [2] NASA TV will also cover the Total Lunar Eclipse(!!) that is happening tonight/tomorrow morning between 1:58 a.m. EDT and 5:33 a.m. EDT. (it is going to be fabulously visible in the US, but just in case you have a cloudy sky you can still watch. Columbus State University is also showing it live starting at 11:00 p.m.)[and you should watch any way you can, it is last full lunar eclipse visible from the US until 2019] [3] The moon while eclipsing is going to be turning an orange, coppery color an hour into the eclipse ~ the shadow of the earth causing the so-called "Blood Moon" ~ and last but not least by a long shot ~ [4] Mars is in opposition today and is the closest to Earth it's been in 6 years! It will be beautiful when it comes into view tonight when it rises, after sunset, in the east. Again if there are clouds there are options as you can watch live webcasts of Mars and the total lunar eclipse on our favorite Slooh community telescope too. Catch a nap, it's going to be a long, and beautiful viewing day and night! Enjoy ~

Sunday April 13th, 2014 ~ Today is the birthday of born in Poughkeepsie, New York in 1899. He was an architect, but during the Depression he was out of a job and decided he'd invent an adult game. Here are some interesting facts about that game ~ which can easily be played in between views ~ ~ Scrabble was invented in 1948. ~ The original name for Scrabble was 'Lexico'. ~ Scrabble is produced in more than twenty-nine languages. ~ Scrabble is also manufactured in Braille. ~ Scrabble is the number two game in America, following behind Monopoly. ~ The world has more than four thousand clubs devoted to playing Scrabble. ~ One in three American homes own a Scrabble game today. ~ It's not possible to play Scrabble in Japanese or Chinese, but they play in English with a rule book in their own language. ~ In France, Scrabble competitions are played differently than the rest of the world. They play duplicate Scrabble in which all players have the exact same letters for each turn. ~ The highest number of points that can be scored on the first go is 126 - with SQUEEZY or QUARTZY. ~ If all the Scrabble tiles ever made were placed end to end, they would wrap eight times around the globe. ~ with thanks to The Writer's Almanac and About.com (with more information and more fun facts at both links)

Saturday April 12th, 2014 ~ April is a strange month - sometimes it has more than one 10th day, sometimes it doesn't. Apparently this was one of those times. It is however really April 12th today and that can only mean... HAPPY BIRTHDAY PEBBLE!! We aren't saying you're old, but then you've seen how we count (plus we are (collectively) scared of you) so we aren't saying much of anything on the subject. Except that we hope it is a wonderful day and great year starting up for you. Just as an aside (historic information, that's all, really): the Civil War (you know, the one that wasn't in this century or last century, but the century before that) started this very day a mere 91 years before Pebble was born.....which would make her age now the very number that (so wikipedia tells us) created an irrational fear in Sigmund Freud. So, cake and ice-cream all around, and enjoy the views ~

Friday April 10th, 2014 ~ The weekend is upon us (insert loud YAY here), or is at least just a few hours away, which is always good. It's a good morning to catch the sun rising across the country, last checked it hadn't made it past the Mississippi yet so there is still plenty of sunrise to watch, you can check cameras on the air quality map, or from their complete list of cameras. Here is the tracking we did between 7 and 7:15 this morning: in ME, NC, VA, WVa, KY, MI, MN (click on them for larger views)



Thursday April 10th, 2014 ~ On this on this very day, back in 1912, the Titanic set sail from Southampton, England with 2,228 passengers but life boats for only half that many. Enjoy all of the views, including this one of the port at Southampton, and please, while viewing or heading out today, make note of your nearest exits, and the location of your life jackets and lifeboats today...it's only prudent.

Wednesday April 9th, 2014 ~ The Blurb Division is standing in the corner today and are unable to come out to blurb because of their actions yesterday when they announced Kathy T's birthday.... a day early. So today, after wishing Kathy a Most Happy Actual Birthday (!), we leave you with a reminder to check in on the Cherry Blossoms, as well as a note that there is a new trial link in the table below which the blurb division forgot to mention...(we may have to hire a whole new group of blurbists) Enjoy the views ~ and the 4 extra minutes of daylight we have today here on the driveway and perhaps where you are too. (don't worry if you miss them, they'll be back again tomorrow and will be bringing 3 more new ones back with them!)(minutes that is...have to see if the blurb division makes it back...)

Tuesday April 8th, 2014 ~ How does it get so late so early? It is of course the birthday of Kathy T (Happy Birthday Kathy!!! Have a great day!!!) as well as the day 110 years ago that Longacre Square in Midtown Manhattan was renamed Times Square. We (still) haven't found a Kathy Cam per se (the search continues) but she is somewhere in the vicinity of this view. However there is a view of Times Square, here. There are also cherry blossoms (finally) blossoming (which are beautiful), nests to watch, and rain in the forecast out there even if the blurb division is running a wee bit behind in here. Enjoy ~

Monday April 7th, 2014 ~ There is a parade in Benton Ky today at 11:00 and we wish we could be there because it's Tater Day!! (Sweet Potato) Tater Day is celebrated on the first Monday in April but the festivities go on the whole weekend before ~ leading up to the actual day of the parade. While we don't know if the parade will pass by this view ~ we did find an active camera in Benton right here! Since it is also the birthday day of William Wordsworth with a quick look in at some daffodils, and a quick recipe for some (Sweet)Tater Cake to celebrate all around it's off to read some Wordsworth, check the views, and start a brand new week ~ Enjoy ~ [ps ~ great day at the ballpark yesterday but the Red Wings lost 8-6 to Buffalo...in 13 innings! (however, the sun left our section and so did we after 5 innings)] :)

Sunday April 6th, 2014 ~ It's here! The Red Wing's Home Opening Day ~ Take Two ~ as yesterday's game was called on account of weather. But it's a new day, with new weather (sunny and heading to the 50's), so it's Play Ball redux! And again, you can watch, on any browser except IE, we think, right here. Still will be partially bundled but we're heading out for the cowbells, the first pitch, and of course for some peanuts and crackerjacks. Besides, it really is true that nothing says spring like the first home game of the year. :) Enjoy your Sunday and some baseball, major, or minor, league, it's all good because it's Opening Day (again)!!!

Saturday April 5th, 2014 ~ It's here! The Red Wing's Home Opening Day ~ which you can watch, on any browser except IE we think, right here!!. Doesn't matter if it is 37 on it's way down to who knows where and raining (at least its rain until the snow starts) because ~ it's Opening Day!!! Some of us are trekking out to get in on this great American tradition.... watching the first pitch of spring bundled up against the elements with winter coats, hats, scarves, mittens, hand warmers, feet warmers, blankets.... clutching a hot chocolate! Yep, nothing says spring like the first home game of the year. :) Enjoy your Saturday and some baseball, major, or minor, league, it's all good. (ah... just looked and the snow is starting to mix in with the rain (@ 9:14) for the boys of summer who start the season at home at 2:05, gates open at 12:30)

Friday April 4th, 2014 ~ It was on this day, back in 1818, that Congress decided the U.S. flag would consist of 13 red and white stripes and 20 stars, with a new star to be added for every new state. Which makes this a Grand Old Flag Day ~ with some Grand Old Flag views to end the week and start the weekend ~ here at the Capital, and here at Chimney Rock (although it wasn't up yet this morning when we looked and their time stamp seemed to be in the exact wrong location.... but none the less a lovely view). Enjoy all the views today ~

Thursday April 3rd, 2014 ~ A very "Hippo Birdy Two Ewes" to Ms. Sandra Boynton (who coined that phrase), and to Washington Irving, a drivewaycam favorite, who coined the phrase "the almighty dollar", gave NYC the nickname Gotham and it's residents the nickname Knickerbockers (first name of the Yankees, and current name of the NBA team there) ~ that's a lot of coinage. The amount of coinage required to send a letter via Pony Express (which started 154 years ago today) started at $5.00 per half ounce and was later reduced to $1.00 per half ounce to compete with the telegram. However letters were sent (and received) with only .10 cents postage on them so it was a sliding scale at best! :) ~ A couple of looks in at St Joseph Missouri (where the very first run started) and then it's off to the views ~ here is the City Center Park and the Nature Center River Cam (they load slowly but are worth the wait) Enjoy ~ "For the nineteen months that the Pony Express was in service 308 runs were made (westbound and eastbound) for a total distance of 616,000 miles. A total of 34,753 pieces of mail was carried. Of that number 18,456 pieces of mail originated in San Francisco, 4900 originated in Sacramento. At the same time San Francisco received 9553 pieces of mail from the east; Sacramento received 1844."

Wednesday April 2nd, 2014 ~ Running late (you are all shocked no doubt), but there are great views all over the place so even with a late start to watching the driveway there is plenty to check out on this lovely 92nd day of the year. And even though it's late, it is of course Take A Homicidal Computer To Lunch Day in celebration of the world premiere of the film "2001: A Space Odyssey" on this day back in 1968... if you've already had lunch, rather than make your local Homicidal Computer angry, just take it to dinner (or drinks if nothing else). Enjoy the views ~ and for goodness sake, don't annoy your PC (or your cell phone for that matter) today (just saying).

Tuesday April 1st, 2014 ~ All of the fools on this side of the driveway wish all of you (fools, or otherwise) a very Happy April Fool's Day ~ and as it is also the start of Mathematics Awareness Month we say grab a pencil and enjoy (really, we aren't fooling, grab a pencil and click on that link) ~

Monday March 31st, 2014 ~ March may be wandering down the driveway and out-of-here today but that's okay because before it goes it's making sure Baseball is underway again! (YAY!) There are 13 chances to hear "PLAY BALL" today, but the game that counts as the Official Opening of Baseball Season (at least to those of us on this side of the driveway) is the one that starts at 4:10 in Cincinnati ~ it ain't baseball until Cincinnati says it's baseball (after all). So grab your gloves (well, and your mittens too) and some hot chocolate (becoming the official beverage of Opening Day's in many cities) and let the season begin ~ The Cubs are playing in Pittsburgh today but we'll take a look in at Wrigley just because we can. (the game there starts at 1:05, just fyi) ~ Enjoy

Sunday March 30th, 2014 ~ As spring is plowed from the streets we remember that the first patent for an egg incubator was issued 171 years ago today ~ you can watch one of the descendents of that patent on the Nest Links (below and here) or jump straight to it here. Today is also the day, 151 years ago, that Vincent van Gogh was born ~ it was on his 4th birthday, in 1867, we bought 586,412 square miles, known as Alaska, from Russia ~ for 2 cents an acre (there just aren't sales like that anymore (of course, given current political (aka Russian) climate I do hope we kept all the paperwork!)). There are views enough to keep you busy watching our amazing 49th state all day. With thanks to William Seward it is time to get on to the views ~ Enjoy them all today, enjoy the final two games of the final four, and if you head out shopping keep an eye out for bargains, you just may stumble upon something that would be sheer folly not to buy! ~ (click the picture for a larger view of that section, and/or see the full article here)



Saturday March 29th, 2014 ~ It is Saturday on the driveway (and just about everywhere else)(except where it's already Sunday) which can only mean several trips out and back (if only we can get moving at some point) Today is also the 85th anniversary of the President getting a phone on his desk in the Oval Office. Before that he had to go out into the hallway to use the phone. We still haven't found that desk phone number... but you may want to celebrate anyway by calling the White House today... here is the switchboard number: 202-456-1414. But call before 8:30PM if you still use a land line because it's also Earth Hour Day and we don't want our viewers stubbing their toes in the dark stumbling for a phone. And it is the 128th (!) anniversary of the first batch of Coca Cola being brewed over a fire in a backyard in Atlanta, by Dr. John Pemberton (who created the concoction as a cure for "hangover," stomach ache and headache) so have a coke with any of your viewing or non-viewing activities today ~ Enjoy ~

Friday March 28th, 2014 ~ It's looking like spring ~ bit by bit. The bit we have today is milder temperatures and rain. Might as well stay in, catch up on the views, and eat cake ~ for birthday boy Victor Mills the Proctor & Gamble engineer who invented Pampers disposable diapers along with improving both the production of Ivory Soap and Duncan Hines Cake Mixes. A renaissance engineer if you will. It is also the day in 1866, 31 years before Mr. Mills was born, that the first hospital ambulance went into service, as well as the day 52 years after Mr. Mills was born that the phrase "Big Bang" was coined. What all that together means escapes us but really is more than enough reason for some emergency cake (it explodes from particles to cake in 1 minute!(thank you Victor!!!)) while viewing ~

Thursday March 27th, 2014 ~ We are not sure where yesterday went ~ if you find it please let us know. Meanwhile, today on the driveway brings us the rumor of temps in the mid to high 40's (it is 19 now, just fyi) and a reminder that (believe it or not) the Cherry Blossom Festival is underway in DC! Don't panic if you forgot it was spring and haven't been watching ~ blooms are due to peak mid to late festival, April 8 - 12 (festival runs from March 20 - April 13th). We have a couple of favorite viewing spots from the driveway ~ and while unfortunately the National Park Service Air Quality cam is down at the moment, the ever lovely Earthcam view is available. Check it out over the next couple of weeks, it's beautiful ~ and the blossoms, on the more than 3,000 trees ~ the first of which were planted 102 years ago today(!), are about to explode into Spring (really) ~ enjoy ~

Tuesday March 25th, 2014 ~ Today is, as always, (well, always in a relatively speaking sort of way), Tolkien Reading Day. So finish up your 2nd breakfasts and get thee to a favorite reading spot with a favorite Tolkien story. The fact that it is also the anniversary of the day in 1807 that the first passenger railway services got underway, on a route that seems as if it was made for Hobbits, running between Swansea and Mumbles in Wales, is just icing on the cake. That line closed in 1960 but it's also the 171st (!) anniversary of the day the Thames Tunnel in London, the world's first tunnel under a navigable river, was opened for pedestrians between Rotherhithe and Wapping (again, a route named by Hobbits we're sure) ~ a railway line added in 1869 and is still in use today as part of the London Underground. If you can't journey from Rotherhithe to Wapping, and back again, you can always take a break from reading and look for hobbits (and trains) right here without actually leaving the shire....

Monday March 24th, 2014 ~ We received, like many, the traditional 5th day of Spring present ~ snow, and temperatures soaring all the way to 18 already!. But never mind that because today is the birthday(s) of Harry Houdini, and Lawrence Ferlinghetti (who would be 140, and 95 respectively). Which can only mean lots of cake to make disappear, and a favorite look in at Coney Island which is forever in our mind ~ Stay warm, remember to lift the shovels of spring with your knees not your back, and enjoy the views ~ :)

Sunday March 23rd, 2014 ~ Whatever your weather (ours is sunny and cool this morning) today is a good day for watching it ~ it's World Meteorological Day so you can wander outside and enjoy your local meteorological offerings. Or, you can of course also wander the links for some world wide weather watching. Any where you look, on any of the sites, you'll see some weather, and we do have some sites specifically for watching the clouds go by ~ Whether you are inside or out, Rain, or shine ~ enjoy the views.

Saturday March 22nd, 2014 ~ Brackets have fallen like rain. We do not believe there is an unbroken bracket in existence after the last 2 days of playing ~ The madness has been crazy and great fun to watch. Hopefully that will continue today and will help make up for the dreary day on the driveway. If you are not enjoying watching basketball or overcast driveways then check out the nests, or some flowers, or even some sunny shorelines ~ there is a view out there, and on here, some where for you. Enjoy ~

Friday March 21st, 2014 ~ Happy Birthday Lydia!!!! Can you actually be 23 today??!?! Hope it is a wonderful day for you and the start of a most fabulous year!!! While the penguins get first shot at music for your birthday (if you don't know what that means, you didn't click on the previous link so you'll have to reverse mousing directions and slide on back, or just click here) ~ there is another song that Bach, who is turning 329 today, wants to share with you as well. The Madness continues to slap down brackets, how many will fall today? Enjoy ~

Thursday March 20th, 2014 ~ Once again it's time to embrace the tilt ~ the equinox is here brought to us by our favorite and oh so lovely 23.4 degrees that allow spring to gesprong each and every trip around the sun! Whatever the weather get out there and dust off the sundials, dance among the henges (stone or not) and enjoy the balance (with or without eggs) for this brief moment as the sun shines directly on the equator (at 12:57 edt) before continuing it's path towards the north. And even as spring arrives so does March Madness (well the madness gets here a little bit earlier at 12:15) and in full tilt ~ good luck with your brackets, enjoy the views and Happy Vernal Equinox!

Wednesday March 19th, 2014 ~ Sorry for the lapse in service ~ but we have returned and Driveway Cam is back online (as always the alternate cam on the date link above never stopped working, so check there whenever the main cam seems to be stuck) and we're ready to once again show you the beauty and the splendor of the driveway... currently in a melt configuration (it's almost 50!) but don't worry(?), March madness in weather continues and they are predicting snow and cold to return next week. March Madness in sports is about to return as well ~ hope your brackets are holding up so far. :) Spring is due to return tomorrow (yay!) as the Vernal Equinox drops by ~ while in other returns of the day the Swallows are due back in Capistrano! Which can only mean, without further delay, we should return you to your viewing ~ Enjoy!

Monday March 17th, 2014 ~ Happy Birthday Mike!!!! Hope it's the start of a great year for you! And Happy St. Patrick's Day to all ~ or what we like to call it.... O'Shea's Day!! While it's always fun to visit, and view the happenings at our favorite Pub in Dublin...O'Shea's, it is especially entertaining on St. Patrick's Day ~ so while your corned beef and cabbage is cooking ~ Enjoy the views ~

Sunday March 16th, 2014 ~ Tonight is the rising of the Full (Worm) Moon ~ and even if it's cloudy you can watch a live webcast of the full moon on the Slooh community telescope website which will use the full moon event to examine an impact site in the Mare Nubium lunar basin. The webcast begins at 9 p.m. EDT. You can view it directly through the Slooh website, or watch the full moon webcast live on Space.com. The worm moon is named after the earthworms that start to appear as the winter thaw sets in (said thaw will be at single digits here tomorrow, but it means well) ~ the other things that appear today are the Brackets! That's right, this winter may have been crazy but March is about to succumb to Madness ~ brackets are available all over the place; here are 2 to pick from after the selections are made tonight at 6:00 (on CBS) ~ (version 1) and (version 2). Enjoy the views ~

Saturday March 15th, 2014 ~ Happy The-Buzzards-Are-Coming-The-Buzzards-Are-Coming Day! That's right we've wandered all the way around the calendar and are back once again on March 15th, which is not only the Ides that get the Juliuses to be so wary, but is also the day the buzzards come back to Hinckley Ohio. Almost as sure a sign of spring as when the brackets return (which is tomorrow!). Still haven't found a camera in Hinckley but here is a view of the sky just 10 miles out from there so maybe they'll pass overhead? Enjoy the day, and the views ~ (please let us know if you spot any buzzards heading into Hinckley, or more importantly, hanging out on the driveway...)

Friday March 14th, 2014 ~ One of our favorite days of the year is here! You can really figure on some good eating today ~ as we celebrate Einstein's birthday, and (in his honor) Pi Day!!!! At every 1:59 today, throughout the time zones, when it is PI to 5 places [3.14159]... try some pie, then sing some Pi ~ We have it on (what we are choosing to call) good authority that Einstein's favorite pie was a Potato Chip Chocolate Pie. And not just because today is also National Potato Chip Day, no sirree Al, but also because it is delicious! Try it, it would be irrational not to! (and it is infinitely better than no pie). Enjoy ~

Thursday March 13th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Birthday to Percival Lowell ~ he not only sparked our seemingly endless fascination for finding life on Mars, he also predicted the discovery of Pluto (our very favorite 9th Planet) and initiated the search that ended in it's discovery. That discovery announced with the telegram Clyde Tombaugh sent, just 84 years ago today, to the Harvard College Observatory to let them know he had discovered a planet ~ If you'd like to look at the sky through a telescope, or just look at a telescope today, try these links and be sure to let us know what you find ~

Wednesday March 12th, 2014 ~ Today's weather rumor, er, uh, forecast is for 14-18" of snow, high winds, plumeting temperatures ~ aka, we have a blizzard warning in effect until tomorrow morning. You'll see how accurate they are (at least in the snow fall)(the temperature fall may be a bit harder to discern) as it happens on the driveway. Traffic Cams and general views in the path of the storm should be hopping today as well. As are local views of our area, U.S. air traffic views, along with airport views, and wind representations. Given the weather, you may not want to be on the road today, but you can still wish a Happy Birthday to Jack Kerouac while enjoying the views of the roads. The snow has started, supposed to get fairly impudent as the day continues so settle in, and enjoy whatever weather you are having today along with the views ~ PS ~ the Iditarod has been won, but racers continue (and will for a couple of days) to arrive in Nome so check in when you can

Tuesday March 11th, 2014 ~ You may have heard there is a storm a'coming ~ so today just a quiet look at the driveway, and the 40+ degrees out there, along with the sunshine melting the snow and uncovering the grass, as we ponder the 10-20 inches of blowing snow they are predicting. (We love the ranges they use these days to ensure "accurate" forecasts). Enjoy the quiet, sunny, warm view but you may want to start watching the weather maps to plan for your snow/traffic/snow viewing starting further west today and heading this way tomorrow ~

Monday March 10th, 2014 ~ What some see as the stepping stone to the rise and fall of civilization started just 138 years ago today when the first discernible speech was transmitted over a telephone system as inventor Alexander Graham Bell summoned his assistant in another room by saying, "Mr. Watson, come here; I want you." Thanks to Mr. Bell (and Mr. Watson who admitted he heard Mr. Bell) people now feel free to share their conversations with anyone ~ except of course the NSA. (Rules are rules boys, we insist you listen if you are in our line, in the same store, or within shouting distance of us, just don't be on the line with us!!) Editors note: the blurbist who started this blurb has been sent home for the day, our apologies for the early morning rant ~ we now turn you over to views of nests, of baby Pandas, of streams, of afternoon departures, and of flowers to ease you into another week of viewing ~

Sunday March 9th, 2014 ~ Welcome to day 1 of daylight savings time ~ which is another way of saying that the US lost 316,128,839 hrs of sleep last night (aprox). Which is a little over 36,000 years right? Can that be right? Someone please check our arithmetic! We lost 36,000 YEARS last night?? No wonder we're tired here in Vespucci land ~ or America as we are wont to be called, after Birthday Boy Amerigo Verspucci, the Spanish astronomer whose name was given to the New World because it was he, and not Columbus, who realized and announced that Columbus had discovered a new continent. Amerigo would be turning 559 this morning, and would probably be a bit tired as well. And if we throw in the additional 35,295,770 hrs of sleep the Canadian portion of Vespucci land lost (which is another 4,026 years down the drain (with adjustments made for Saskatchewan)) we may not have enough energy to blow out the candles on his cake. Or even on Barbie's birthday cake as she woke up this morning turning 55. What we are trying to say is Hey World... give us a minute... we're going to need another cup of coffee ~

Saturday March 8th, 2014 ~ As the temperatures soar (okay, it was above freezing this morning, you'll have to excuse our hyperbole) you can watch the change in the snow on the ground, versus the snow no longer on the ground, by watching the driveway, or those 2 maps found at the National Snow Analyses page. It is Saturday after all and so the perfect day for watching snow melt. :) Or for watching bridges, in honor of the world's first working railway suspension bridge being crossed by it's first train on this very day back in 1855. That bridge, at Niagara Falls, is long gone so instead a check in on a lovely suspension bridge in Mackinaw City, as well as one under construction in Portland (OR), with another view of it here. Along with, of course, 2 views of this bridge, at no charge (!), the 2nd view is here. Enjoy the hint of a thaw as well as the views ~

Friday March 7th, 2014 ~ The first Friday of March ~ it's sunny, it's almost above freezing (it's 30 right now), and it's Friday ~ doesn't get much better than that. Although... it was on this very day back in 1857 when the decision was made, wisely, that a baseball game would be made up of nine innings, instead of the 21 "aces" or runs that previously defined a game. This will confuse those of you who think it's a slow boring game but the decision was made to keep the game from ending too quickly. :) In both the Grapefruit and the Cactus League teams are busy practicing the 9 inning method. Enjoy the views, the sunshine, and of course some baseball ~ (Hey Pebble, it's the Tigers vs the Yankees at 7:05 tonight!)



Thursday March 6th, 2014 ~ A Happy 63rd Anniversary to our favorite dilatant fluid ~ which, as of July 2009, sells in quantities of twenty thousand eggs of it daily (that is 575 pounds of Silly Putty sold... each day)! Don't know if that is still true, but that is a lot of Silly Putty covering the planet! And if it's not quite enough in your estimation.... you can make your own. Checking in with the Iditarod ~ the leaders are just over 1/2 in the race, checking out of the Cripple Checkpoint (the official 1/2 way point) yesterday, with many arriving (and leaving) today. You can follow along at the Iditarod site. With a quick Happy Birthday to Michelangelo ~ he never likes us making a fuss ~ it's on to the views!



Wednesday March 5th, 2014 ~ Rumors are, it's going to warm up eventually. Meanwhile, how cold has it been? Cold enough to freeze much of the water in the Great Lakes *and* slow down Niagara Falls a bit ~ Check out both (all?) from space and somewhat more locally here, as well as this lovely live view, or this excellent one of both falls (with another view here). Some also quite lovely snow (compliments of Lake Ontario)(and compliments of the fact it hasn't frozen over yet) is falling on the driveway as we celebrate the cold (might as well); the birthday of William Oughtred (one of our heroes as he invented the Slide Rule (plus he has a great name)); and the Hula Hoop, patented just 51 years ago today! So cake all around and enjoy the views ~

Tuesday March 4th, 2014 ~ Happy Mardi Gras!!! Be sure to check in on New Orleans today. The last parade 'hosted broadcast' starts this morning at 10:00AM (central) which you can watch on Parade Cam. However the cam is on all the time and watching the crowds gather and then be a crowd is equally entertaining! Posted some pictures from some of the earlier parades here. There are links to other New Orleans cams on the parade cam page and Earth Cam also has a Mardi Gras cam worth checking out, it's view on Bourbon Street. Stay warm, enjoy Mardi Gras, throw some beads, and....of course...enjoy the views ~

Monday March 3rd, 2014 ~ Winter, Snow, Ice, Warnings, Wind Chill, Freezing Rain, Frostbite, c'mon, join in ~ we've all learned the lyrics to the latest verse of the song that the weather is singing out there ~ and almost anywhere you look you're going to see some weather that will make you glad you are inside watching it and not outside in it (hopefully you're inside). So check out any and all of the views in the path of the latest blast racing across the mid states, pull the covers up, pile on the sweaters, and stay warm (as warm as you can!). And since it's Read Across America Day today might as well just grab a book and some hot chocolate to go along with the views ~ below is Washington DC at 7:45 this morning on the Air Quality Camera (the Washington Monument is usually in view)



Sunday March 2nd, 2014 ~ "They are pretty good views", said young Gerald McGrew, "and the people who find them seem proud of them too." "But if I found the views", said young Gerald McGrew, "I'd make a few changes. That's just what I'd do..." The penguins and mountains and that kind of stuff they have up here now are not quite good enough ~ You see things like these in just any old view, they're awfully old-fashioned. We want something new! A new view to say Happy Birthday To You! To You Dr. Seuss on your birthday today... We want a new view to say HIP HIP HOORAY!! ~ After searching and searching, both low and then high, we found a new view that does not show the sky, A view that we never have shown here at all, not in Summer, in Winter, in Spring or in Fall. After looking and looking we at last found the cam, yes we finally found one that does give a Dam. So cake all around, we'll get out of your hair, you can get to your viewing, to explore if you dare ~ (with apologies (as always) to Dr. Seuss ~ who would be turning 110) “From there to here, from here to there, funny things are everywhere.” Dr. Seuss

Saturday March 1st, 2014 ~ With a turn of a page... it's March! And it's time for the Iditarod which starts today ~ Curt Perano will be the first musher out (at 2:00PM EST) and the ceremonial start will be live online right here. During the race there are 25 checkpoints on the northern route (used this year and all even years), including the start in Anchorage and the finish line in Nome. We're checking out views along the way ~ with a look in today (along with the start and end views already listed) at the 9th checkpoint. The race lasts somewhere from 9 to 15 days so we'll be keeping tabs ~ Happy March!! Now mush you huskies and embrace the winter!! (might as well, doesn't seem to be leaving) ~ Oh, and enjoy the views ~



Friday February 28th, 2014 ~ And here we are on the last day of February ~ the sun is shining, the snow is blinding, and the cold is numbing. So stay inside and take in the views... or brave the cold if you can as the year has twisted back around to Take A Double Helix To Lunch Day! It was 61 years ago that Watson and Crick announced that they had found the elusive structure of DNA. Their discovery answered some of the riddles of the ages, including this one ~ Why did the geneticist go to dental school? You (and both of your helices) have to decide if you are sequenced enough to also find out that answer, or not, by clicking or ignoring this link) Whatever the 3 of you decide... Enjoy the views ~

Thursday February 27th, 2014 ~ The parade-cam in New Orlean has started working (YAY!) and there are still parades to watch (with one of our personal favorites, the Muses, tonight!!) ..but until then we are going to celebrate International Polar Bear Day and wait to see if a parade of them wanders by the driveway ~ the weather is perfect for them (in fact, it is their weather specifically that is here right now), and with all of their weather we've all had this season they have a lovely frozen parade path almost directly to all of our driveways!?! A look in at the shores of Gichigumi too, in honor of birthday boy Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, with other views available on our North Shore Links page. And a look at all of the Great Lakes from space to watch them continue to ice over (making that Polar Bear path even more complete) Stay warm and enjoy the views ~ (below are the Great Lakes yesterday)



Wednesday February 26th, 2014 ~ With the wind-chill sitting at -6 all we can say is Baseball is back! Well spring training is ~ with games getting underway today! That plus the posting of the 2014 Nest Watching links reminds us spring is out there... just not out here yet. In other national news ~ Today is the 95th and 85th anniversary of 2 National Parks ~ The national monument designated in 1908 by President Theodore Roosevelt, the more than 800,000 acres of the Grand Canyon, was designated a national park by President Woodrow Wilson this day in 1919 (after 30 years of opposition to doing that). Ten years later to the day, President Calvin Coolidge signed into law a bill passed by both houses of the U.S. Congress establishing the Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming. Enjoy watching the views in our parks on the antepenultimate day of February ~

Monday February 24th, 2014 ~ So ~ the Olympics are over (for a while) with just 892 days until the next ones, the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro, and 1,446 days until the next Winter Olympics, in Pyeongchang, South Korea. For some other Olympic numbers check out this site ~ you'll love it. Now it's back to catching up on our usual viewing, with the return of an annual page that might get you thinking spring, even while the return of the arctic is happening ~ that's right it is the start of the 2014 Nest Watching Season! (the leaf peeping link below was retired to make room for the nests) So one last look at Sochi, and Olympic Views there, and then it's off to the rest of the views ~



Sunday February 23rd, 2014 ~ Sunshine abounds today on the driveway (belying the fact that the Arctic is on its way, again), and in Sochi ~ belying the fact that this is the last day of the Olympics. Closing ceremonies start tonight at 8:00pm here in the US on NBC, or live at 11:00am online (They start at 20:14 Sochi time) :) ~ We are going to miss watching the happenings both on TV and around the venues on the web cams. And while the flags will be coming down on the Winter Olympics today, it was this day 69 years ago during the battle for Iwo Jima that U.S. Marines raised the American flag atop Mt. Suribachi, the highest point on Iwo Jima. When asked for a webcam on Iwo Jima google suggested this in a list of "closest to" cams (?) ~ so we'll take a look in at Kyrgyzstan (a mere 3,915 miles from Iwo Jima), complete with flag, in lieu of any Russian History today, and then it's off wander the views ~ Enjoy ~ (Watching the Sochi webcams on closing day, this was at 8:30am Eastern ~ click for a larger view, or here for a live view (loads slowly, worth the wait)) ~



Friday February 22nd, 2014 ~ It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood ~ 44 and sunny ~ the winds are blowing in a change in the weather but for now, it's lovely! We're very late today so a quick Happy Birthday to George Washington and then it's off to the views. The Olympics are, sadly, running down. Tomorrow is the closing ceremonies (which we are told you can watch online here ). But until then, there are other views out there a'waiting ~ including an eagle in Minnesota in a snow covered nest ~ (haven't been able to get to the cameras in Colorado recently but we're hoping too) ~ Enjoy ~

Friday February 21st, 2014 ~ Happy Birthday Aunt Joyce!!!! We hope that it's a wonderful day for you and that your whole new year ahead is a great one. In our look at Russian history today we find it was this day in 1613 that the then 16 year old, Michael Romanov, became the first Russian tsar in what would become the Romanov dynasty. Closer to home, geographically and chronologically, it was this day in 1878 that the first U.S. telephone directory, listing about 50 names, was issued by the New Haven (CT) Telephone Company. (raise your hand if you even remember what a telephone book is) And today is also the 83rd anniversary of Alka Seltzer! Which can only lead us to this view, before heading off to all the rest ~

Thursday February 20th, 2014 ~ It's a beautiful day on the driveway ~ hope it is where you are too. Quick Happy Birthday to the Post Office today as they are turning 222! With a thanks to George Washington for establishing the department. When you aren't enjoying the views why not send a letter or card or postcard today ~ it will make the folks at the over 20,000 (we are guessing) postal outlets in the US happy. (and it will keep them busy because we really don't want to lose the Post Office) (plus if you mail it to us, it will make us very happy!). In our Russian History section of today's blurb ~ a look at the cost of Russian postage through the ages. :) So with that, and then a quick look at a Post Office in Oregon.... we'll turn you over to the views ~



Wednesday February 19th, 2014 ~ The time has come around again to wish a Happy Birthday to Nicolaus Copernicus who figured out our trips around the sun, and around our own axis. He'd be turning 541 today if time hadn't attached itself to those trips around the way it has. It is also the birthday of Charles de L'Écluse, the French botanist who introduced the tulip to Holland ~ which became the only thing more iconic to Holland than Olympic Skating Medals ~ He'd be turning 488. Tulip season is on it's way and here is a look in at a Flower market (okay, so it's actually not in view but it is nearby) in Holland to enjoy while we all go on skating round our axis, and the sun. For some actual flowers (L'Écluse also cultivated hyacinths) check out the Greenhouse Cam. You can also just watch people wander 'round the oval in Sochi (while they are wandering around our axis and the sun)(why aren't they dizzy yet?) or any of the other views in Sochi, or around the driveway ~ enjoy ~

Tuesday February 18th, 2014 ~ Running late (surprise, surprise, surprise) ~ but there is enough time to mention that a) our date cam is 1 year old today and b) Pluto was discovered just 84 years ago today ~ and from here on the driveway it still looks like a planet ~ which deserves our favorite Pluto cake and ice cream to celebrate! It's also the day that Huckleberry Finn was first published so enjoy knowing that even down south the winter has taken care of white washing the fences so you can just read about it instead of having to find someone to talk into doing it! ~ Enjoy ~

Monday February 17th, 2014 ~ As the Olympics enter their last week, our look at Russian (?) history is at this day in 1947 when, with the words, "Hello! This is New York calling", the U.S. Voice of America (VOA) began it's first radio broadcasts to the Soviet Union. The news was dry but American music helped with thawing throughout the cold war. In other news, it is also the day back in 1904 that Giacomo Puccini's opera Madame Butterfly premiered at the La Scala theater in Milan, Italy ~ so before we head off to our regular views, a quick stop in for (perhaps) some other butterfly debuts :) ~ enjoy all the views (and the bit of a thaw that is due in the Cold War going on this winter)(with the temperature currently sitting at 6, we are hard pressed to believe it but that is the rumor) ~

Sunday February 16th, 2014 ~ So as not to waste a lovely napping, curling up, moment of the penultimate Sunday of February, we suggest wandering the views at your leisure, reading, napping, or getting outside and getting cold so you can come back in and get warm. Might be a good time to check out the snow depth around and about (currently (or is that still?) 49 of the 50 states have snow somewhere in/on them ~ Florida is the hold out), with other fun snow graphs here, you can always check in on the Great Lakes, from space, to see how the icing over is going (click on a lake, or synoptic for all of them), and of course there are Olympic games happening out there to watch as well. Whatever your views today, enjoy them ~

Saturday February 15th, 2014 ~ What a viewing day ahead ~ there are the Olympics of course and their associated webcams; there is the arch to check in on (here, as well as here), on the 250th anniversary of the founding of St.Louis; we must make a stop off at Parliament Hill where the brand new Maple Leaf flag was raised for the first time, this day in 1965, as the Official Canadian Flag, (which has been raised 4 times already in Sochi as well) ~ and last but certainly not least... it's PARADE TIME IN NEW ORLEANS!!! That's right Mardi Gras fans ~ parade viewing starts this evening at 5:30 (eastern) with the always entertaining Krewe du Vieux parade!! Hopefully our favorite viewing spot (Fat Harry's) will be operational. There are other New Orleans Cams that will only get more and more interesting as we count down the next 16 days to Mardi Gras ~ So, put on your party beads, pile in the supplies, and get ready for a lovely day of viewing ~

Friday February 14th, 2014 ~ A very Happy Valentine's Day to all ~ we hope everyone gets what they would love today .... books, auroras, their electricity back (rumor is an estimate of 550,000 homes still without power), chocolates, pastries, flowers, Olympic medals, enjoyable views, no traffic jams... In Russia, celebration of the foreign holiday is varied (from banned to embraced) however, it was this very date in 1918 that Russians finally adopted the Gregorian calendar and chose to wake up on February 14th after going to bed on January 31st the night before! And we love that ~ Enjoy the day, and the views ~ ps: the originating source of that chart can be found at: http://www.statista.com/chart/906/most-popular-valentines-day-gifts-in-the-united-states/

Thursday February 13th, 2014 ~ We hope all of our viewers in the ice storm and blizzard areas are inside some where warm, and not stuck on roads, or without power. Although many of the roads last night and today were and are remarkably empty looking out there (which is good). If you still have power, pull up the blankets and watch the Olympics along with all the other views. Here's what's happening there today. Today is the day, back in 1633, that Galileo arrived in Rome to face the Spanish Inquisition for saying the Earth revolves around the Sun. (On a side not it was just 3 days ago that a paper was published that finally, after 400 years, explained, and answered, Galileo's puzzle... so... only 395 more years until Quiz #10 of '09 gets answered?) And for our look at Russian history ~ today is the day, in 1956, the Soviet Union set up its first research station on the Antarctic, Mirny, still operational. (interesting site here). While you're there, don't forget to check in on the penguins!

Wednesday February 12th, 2014 ~ A busy day for viewers ~ if you are in the south (and other locations) you are busy in your own Ice Olympics ~ please be careful, stay in, and watch the views (we'll keep our fingers crossed your electricity hangs on) ~ if you are anywhere outside of that weather you are busy watching the weather cams and traffic cams in those iced areas, and if you are a fan of birthday cake you'll be busy working on Abe's cake (bottom of page 2, you'll need 205 candles today)(which will help keep you warm since the temperatures are rather low all over the place (it's 6 currently on the driveway)). Our Russian history for the day is that this is the 40th anniversary of the day Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn was arrested and expelled from the Soviet Union. A look at some of the webcams in the region where he was born and then it's off to the rest of the views ~ Stay warm, be careful, enjoy the views ~

Tuesday February 11th, 2014 ~ Today's Gold Medals go to Jessie, who, after 7670 consecutive days of training (!), is turning 21 today!!!!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESSIE!!!!!!! In other news (not that there is any news that can compete with that) Archie Comic Books are turning 72 today; and for our look in at Russian History today is the birthday of opera singer/author Feodor Ivanovitch Chaliapine (he'd be 141 years old). We will turn you over to the daily views with this look in at some Kazan (where he was born) webcams ~ now it's off to the views and to the birthday cake! Enjoy ~ [in case you are wondering what the alligator was singing....click here....and if you don't know what the heck we're talking about you didn't click all the links in the blurb above :) ]

Monday February 10th, 2014 ~ Sorry about Sunday slipping away, the camera was running, the blurb division was down for the count. However ~ hope springs eternal ~ there is a beautiful new snowfall out there and at the Olympics, Curling gets started today (YaY!). And...in honor of the Olympics and for catching up on our Russian history... today is the birthday of the man who wrote Doctor Zhivago, Boris Pasternak, who was born in Moscow in 1890. It is also the day author Aleksandr Pushkin died, following a duel in 1837, and the day in 1900 that Vladimir Lenin returned to Saint Petersburg following a 3-year exile in Siberia. Here are some webcams near the village where he was exiled (as near as we could get which turns out to be 1077 miles from Shushenskoye) ~ and here are some Polar Bears in a Siberian Zoo! With a look in at Moscow in honor of Pasternak we now return you to the views, the Olympics, and a lovely wintery day on the driveway ~

Saturday February 8th, 2014 ~ Loved (*LOVED*) the Opening Ceremonies!! (hated (HATED) NBC's coverage of them) ~ the games continue fully underway and promise to be excellent. Another webcam nearby (in Sochi, just not at the Olympic Area) to check on weather if you are so inclined is here ~ with additional weather cams here. The cold weather seems to be sticking around so brew up some tea or hot chocolate, settle in with a blanket and enjoy the views ~ Olympic or otherwise!

Friday February 7th, 2014 ~ Bahm-Bahm-BahmBahmBahmBahmBahm-BahmBahmBahmBahm,BahmBahmBahmBahmBahmBahmBahmBahm! ~ That's right, the Olympics have started!!!! The Opening Ceremony will be shown this evening starting at 7:30PM on NBC. [There are some live, online viewing options, some of which can be found here (don't know if they work, may give them a try when the time comes). The live viewing starts at 11:00AM (eastern)(8:00 Sochi).] Other sites you may enjoy wandering ~ The main Sochi Olympic site is here, while the main NBC site is here, there is an interesting site about the preparations here (has a lot of information about the venues there, the interactive map is good), and there are supposed to be webcams....here... ~ work best (and only?) during the day. Regular viewers know that Drivewaycam International loves the Olympics ~ but we won't neglect our mission of bringing you the driveway during the games ~ well, not any more than we neglect it on any given day. :) On to Sochi ~



Thursday February 6th, 2014 ~ 49 years ago this very day....The SS MAASDAM, (the very same SS MAASDAM that just 3 years earlier had ferried Lee Harvey Oswald back to the States) headed out of NYC on it's way to Southampton England ~ where 7 of the pilgrims aboard ship would disembark and make their way north, stopping briefly in London while suitable lodging was found and then stopping for a while at the village of Radlett (which evidently lost the toss in the "where will they settle" coin throw). It was just 13 years (to the day) into the reign of Elizabeth II and the effects of all these events, good and/or bad, linger on... Enjoy the views ~ on land and the high seas!



Wednesday February 5th, 2014 ~ Running late as usual ~ but since there is so much snow out there to watch we are sure you barely noticed that the driveway cam wasn't updating yet (don't forget you can always click on the date to get the latest picture...that camera runs all the time and isn't connected to the ever petulant driveway cam computer). Drive carefully youse guys in the south who are having to deal with the snow, and youse guys up here in the north too who have seem to forgotten that THIS ISN'T UNUSUAL WEATHER UP HERE GUYS... so quit freaking out on the roads! Better yet, instead of driving, stay in, brew some tea, and watch other people drive all over the place ~ or watch the launch and arrival of the latest supply ship heading to the ISS (it launches today at 11:23 and arrives at 5:25) ~ enjoy ~ "On Feb. 5, the ISS Progress 54 cargo craft will launch from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan at 11:23 a.m. (10:23 p.m. local time in Baikonur) on an expedited, six-hour journey to the space station. NASA TV coverage of the launch will begin at 11 a.m. Progress 54 will dock to Pirs at 5:25 p.m. NASA TV coverage of docking will begin at 4:45 p.m. The spacecraft is loaded with 2.8 tons of food, fuel and supplies for the station crew."

Tuesday February 4th, 2014 ~ Here's a surprise ~ we're running late here on the Driveway... A quick Happy 76th Debut Anniversary to Disney's Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, as well as a very Happy 198th Publishing Anniversary to The Last of The Mohicans. Enjoy watching the weather, the traffic, the penguins and all the views ~

Monday February 3rd, 2014 ~ In just 596 minutes from now (give or take a minute or two for typing) we will reach the 17,881,599 minute mark since the song of the Wee Beastie was first heard on the land ~ if that song were radio waves it could have made 10,281,011,192 round trips to the Cat's Eye Nebula while she has been making her trips around the sun (you'll have to do the math to find out how many trips she's made). Happy Birthday Em ~ hope it's a great day out there and the start of an extraordinary year zooming through space for you (and your song)! :) (A galaxy of Ems is a click on the picture away)



Sunday February 2nd, 2014 ~ So... Punxsutawney Phil is rumored to have seen his shadow on this Groundhog's Day which means 6 more weeks of winter. We think he's right (and we're happy) but we also wonder how he saw his shadow when it was raining there..? But no matter what you use for divination ~ there is snow out and about and we are hoping that some of it wanders this way. Have a very Happy Groundhog Day and don't fear the shadows, view them! (this one being a lovely view from Shadow Ridge in Idaho)

Saturday February 1st, 2014 ~ Welcome to February on the Driveway ~ hope everyone's Year of the Horse is starting out great and that last night's celebrations didn't keep you up too late! (in case you were not aware, the new year, 4712, started yesterday). Were you aware that today marks the 130th anniversary of the day the first part of the first edition of A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles; Founded Mainly on the Materials Collected by The Philological Society (aka The Oxford English Dictionary as it would later be called)was published? Today is also the start of National National Awareness Month Awareness Month so take some time today to be aware as you take in the views ~ Gong Xi Fa Cai!



Friday January 31st, 2014 ~ The last day of January is upon us, and the driveway ~ and so are spring like temperatures (it's already 33!). Today is the birthday of Ann: Happy Birthday Ann! Hope it's a great start to a great year ahead for you. There is still much snow and winter to watch out there, but there are also other hints of spring ~ the penguin chicks are as cute as ever, there are chicks out and about in the incubator, and storks have been seen visiting their nests in Germany. Much to watch, and many days to go before egg season hits full swing but in case you are one of those people who for some unknown reasons doesn't like winter, there will be warmer weather, many nests to watch, and the start of spring training. Until then of course we say Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow ~ Enjoy the views ~

Thursday January 30th, 2014 ~ The temperatures are slowing rising to reasonably seasonal levels, the traffic jams in Atlanta are slowing getting sorted out, and most people who left work there on Tuesday to avoid the storm are almost home (if you haven't been watching the traffic cams you've been missing some excellent theater of the absurd!) ...but before we all lose our heads in excitement over that ~ a brief note that it's the 365th anniversary of King Charles I losing his head over a bit of a dispute with Oliver Cromwell ~ as well as the 81st anniversary of the day we first heard "Hi-ho, Silver! Away!" when the Lone Ranger made his debut on WXYZ radio in Detroit. And so a look in at a camera about 5 miles from Sleepy Hollow, in both of their honors (!) and a look in at Detroit just because ~ Enjoy!

Wednesday January 29th, 2014 ~ January (and the arctic blast, at least this one) are on their way out of here (it's already up to 2!) but meanwhile there are sites to see and warmth to keep, or find. Candles on birthday cakes always warm things up so light up 154 of them today for Anton Chekhov, author of many stories and plays including The Seagull, and The Cherry Orchard. So in his honor, a couple of views ~ one in Maine, and another that is in D.C.. Why these? As you puzzle over that (we know you'll figure it out), puzzle over this for National Puzzle Day ~ (if you see the completed picture when you get to the puzzle page ... click on the gear symbol on the lower left). Enjoy the puzzles and the views ~ (clicking on picture also gets you to the puzzle)



Tuesday January 28th, 2014 ~ This weather has made for lots of lovely traffic and snow cam viewing (almost every cam around has been a snow cams at some point) ~ and today should be no different. If you haven't gotten addicted to traffic cams yet... give 'em a try. Click on a picture to see a larger view of each shot (of Finland, Nebraska, Minnesota, Canada, and Wyoming this morning). Check the weather for prime viewing spots or just jump on in and explore the open roads yourself, with no snow or ice to clear off your car, the best MPG you'll ever get, and no danger of slipping, sliding, or getting stuck ~ Stay warm!



Monday January 27th, 2014 ~ We're running late today, and were blaming it on the weather. So, it's cold...not a news flash but for some perspective, up in space (where there is a Russian spacewalk underway (a staff favorite here at driveway cam (the astronauts have about 4 1/2 hrs of work left to do) watch on NASA TV or right here!)), the temperature there is approximately -454.81. Some places in the US may feel like that today ~ if you don't have a spacewalk suit to put on, just stay under your covers and enjoy the views ~ And if you happen to catch sight of a white rabbit out there in the snow please note if he is wearing a pocket watch... then please let us know. Today is the birthday of Lewis Carroll and we've heard rumors of a party and we don't want to be late for that too!

Sunday January 26th, 2014 ~ It's warmer and brighter (it's 11 already! at 11:26) and should be a beautiful day on the driveway. Which got plowed ~ yay! It was also a lovely day (in essence if not in fact) back in 1802 when Thomas Jefferson signed the Library Act making it the first law establishing the structure of the Library of Congress. Throw in that just 35 years later in 1837, Michigan became our 26th state and some Michigan watching is in order today... here, on our usual Detroit River Cam as well as checking out their traffic cams in Detroit as well as in the U.P.. And given the blizzard warnings out and about in ND, SD, IA, and MN ~ traffic caming in general will probably be interesting today, along with all the other views. Stay warm!! Enjoy ~

Saturday January 25th, 2014 ~ Lots of errands and therefore trips out and back today ~ hope the weather cooperates. While we at drivewaycam international are loathe to give investment advice, and in fact are legally forbidden to do so by our cracked legal team, if you want to make a quick 6 cents tomorrow, on every dollar you invest today... all we are going to say is go to the post office... With postage due to go up tomorrow buying some forever stamps today only makes sense! (and to our legal team, that's not advice it's simply stating fact) Meanwhile, the cold and snow seem to be here for a while, although it's warming up here today almost to the 20's (the wind is annoyed and is working very hard to keep the numbers lower so that's the atmospheric struggle around here, and maybe there, today). Wherever you are, stay warm, drive carefully if you have to go out, and most of all... enjoy the views ~

Friday January 24th, 2014 ~ Today is the 106th anniversary of the start of the Scouting Movement ~ and if you see a Boy Scout out and about please send him over to the driveway to shovel our walk! It's a beautiful day out there with the sun sparkling on the snow and the temperature working hard to get up to 7. It's also National Peanut Butter Day which is also fairly beautiful in it's own way. Apparently Americans eat enough peanut butter in a year to make more than 10 billion peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!?! So why not help keep our numbers up and enjoy a lovely PB&J today while viewing ~ grilled of course because it's cold outside (and then some hot chocolate to dunk it in.... hmmmm). Enjoy ~

Thursday January 23rd, 2014 ~ Happy Birthday Patti Beth!!!! Hope it's a great day and the start of a most wonderful year for you!! In your honor NASA is going to launch a communication satellite tonight ~ coverage starts at 6:30PM (and is on until 11:00PM) ~ the launch window opens at 9:05 PM Eastern, and you can watch right here. Also, in your honor of course, it is National Pie Day!!! Whatever pie is your favorite, here is one you probably haven't tried and is the perfect accompaniment to today's viewing ~ Enjoy! (and if you make this pie today... be sure to have some ice-cream and cake as well!)

Wednesday January 22nd, 2014 ~ It's 2 degrees here, but at least the sun is shining? You'd think that something as big as the sun, with a core that is somewhere around 27 million degrees F, though much cooler near the surface at a paltry 10,000 degrees F in the photosphere, would be a match for the arctic air traveling about, but apparently you'd be wrong. And compared to many, our 2 is a heat wave. So break out the thick socks, hot comfort food (stews, soups, tuna noodle casserole, or the hottest food known to man...chicken potpies (whose core temperature rivals the sun's)), blankets, hot water bottles, pots of tea, and/or hot chocolate, and spend the day link hopping (if you aren't spending the day unfreezing pipes and digging out). Stay warm and enjoy the views ~ At least we got some snow as a consolation prize! Hope you did too ~



Tuesday January 21st, 2014 ~ How cold is it? It's stupid cold (which converts to 8 degrees fahrenheit here this morning). And "moderate to heavy snow is expected today from the Mid-Atlantic to the Northeast with below average temperatures across the Eastern U.S." according to the National Weather Service ~ so stay in, check out the views (warm and cold) and think warm thoughts. If the cold gives you a headache, you can celebrate the birthday of Felix Hoffmann back in 1868 as he is the German chemist who discovered aspirin. And if all this cold makes you want to fly away, it's a good day for it as it was this day in 1970 that the first 747 was put into service (first flight was between New York and London), and 6 years later to the day the Concorde began it's passenger service with two simultaneous Concorde flights. (One left London's Heathrow Airport for Bahrain. just as the other took off from Orly Airport outside Paris to Rio de Janeiro.) Here are some fun flight links for ~ you can watch planes arrive and take off in Tampa, you can watch animation of all flights in the US (gets mesmerizing) and this link is just nuts with other links (stick to the ones at the very top in the red border and you'll be lost for days watching radar and airports, and listening to air traffic controllers all over the place!) Enjoy ~



Monday January 20th, 2014 ~ Happy Martin Luther King Jr. Day ~ and happy IT'S SNOWING day here on the driveway!! There is a winter weather watch in the Mid Eastern/Atlantic states and the temperatures are falling today all over the place which makes this a perfect day to celebrate National Soup Month while watching the snowy views. And just because it is one of our favorite soup links ever, here again is the Carnegie Mellon's School of Computer Science Soup Collection ~ So make some soup today, even if the only ingredients you use are a can of Campbell's and a can opener. :) In sports news, it was on this day in 1892 that the first official game of basketball was played in Springfield, Massachusetts ~ so dunk some oyster crackers or croutons in that soup and enjoy the views ~

Sunday January 19th, 2014 ~ Through the icy air of night, we've gotten a bit of a crystalline delight.... which only seems right as it is the 205th birthday of Edgar Allen Poe. And as the cold and snow (YAY!) have returned in another arctic outbreak (as they say), and there are gale warnings and small craft warnings on all of the coasts, it's a good day to forget taking out the kayaks (!?) and join us staying in, and reading some Poe. Or, as it is also the 99th anniversary of the patent being awarded for Neon Tubes (# 1125476), just stay in, stay warm, read some Poe and ~


Saturday January 18th, 2014 ~ Couldn't be later this morning (since it's well after noon already) the blurb division got caught napping ~ but a quick Happy Birthday to A.A.Milne and thereby to Winnie the Pooh too sort of, as well as to Peter Mark Roget who not only gave us a thesaurus (a 12 year project he started after he retired by-the-by) but also gave us the version of the slide rule we all knew and loved (well those of us old enough to remember slide rules that is... here is a working one in case you want to wander down memory lane). So settle in, read some Milne, or calculate some logs (or maybe take a hint from the blurb division and saw some, it is Saturday after all) and enjoy all your views today ~

Friday January 17th, 2014 ~ Nevil Shute, author of 'On the Beach' (among many others), would be turning 115 today if he could. Benjamin Franklin would be turning 308! Popeye is celebrating an anniversary too as today marks the 85th anniversary of his very first appearance. And it is 95th anniversary of the day Edwin Hubble let us know the universe is expanding, right before our eyes. Amid all that celebrating (and cake, naturally) a quick look in at a beach (in Australia of course), and, a telescope in progress (due to launch in 2018) and then it's off to the regularly scheduled views ~ enjoy ~

Thursday January 16th, 2014 ~ We finally spotted the chicks!!!! If you haven't seen them yet it's well worth the trip to Antarctica to do so ~ they are already quite big and so very cute. :) (pictures are updated there every 15 minutes) And as we got such a late start today we're taking the pen out of the hands of the blurb division right now and letting you go directly to the views ~ Enjoy ~ [here is the current view (it's 11:26 here) from Antarctica]



Wednesday January 15th, 2014 ~ Pinkies up, stand please, and raise a toast for Queen Elizabeth I, on this the 455th anniversary of her coronation. ELIZABETH! (okay, one more toast (and a spot of tea to go with it) and then it's on to the views). A good way to start the viewing day is with a look in at the London skyline on this auspicious occasion. As well as a look in on Westminster (and any of the other cameras listed on the left of that page)(the Wimbledon one is quite the cloud cam!) So it's on to the views ~ Allons-y! (as the Doctor (or at least the 10th one) would say)

Tuesday January 14th, 2014 ~ Birthday cake today for Albert Schweitzer ~ the theologian, musical prodigy, author, and philosopher, as well as an expert on Bach, Goethe, and Kant, who on his 30th birthday, decided to become a medical missionary to Africa. His Nobel Prize acceptance speech is worth a read (or re-read) before heading out to all the other views today. (and while you are having some cake of course). Enjoy the day, the cake, and the views ~

Monday January 13th, 2014 ~ Happy Monday ~ Sunday was a blur not only for our erstwhile 20-20 driveway cam but for the blurb division as well. Hopefully the lack of an update didn't confuse everyone into thinking Saturday had an extra 24 hrs in it. :) Today really is Monday, and it is also the 151st anniversary of having to Mind the Gap for the first time... as it was this day in 1863 that the London underground railway, the oldest subway system in the world opened. The first railway was from Paddington to Farringdon. However, the gap to mind here is that some have the opening date on the 9th ~ but in either case it's a lovely time to take have a cup of tea as well as a look in at London. Enjoy ~

Saturday January 11th, 2014 ~ It's rainy and warmer, and we are under a flood watch ~ not sure that is an improvement. Melting and rain are going on so in an attempt to ignore that we are going to go watch the Grand Canyon on the 106th anniversary of President Theodore Roosevelt declaring the massive Grand Canyon a national monument to keep it as "... one great sight which every American should see." So see it we will ~ Enjoy the views ~

Friday January 10th, 2014 ~ The Society for Social and Viewing Equality for Aurora Cams (SSVEAC local #14) called yesterday to point out that we did not include the link to Aurora Cam6 in the blurb (it is always included in the links below the driveway pictures). We were shocked by that news and we apologize and would like to feature it today ~ right here. In other shocking news today is National Static Electricity Day so take off your shoes and scooch around on the rugs with your socks and celebrate (but not while you are viewing, and definitely not while pumping petrol). We haven't located a static electricity cam but here is a lovely look in at Electric Peak ~ Enjoy ~

Thursday January 9th, 2014 ~ The supplies launch to the ISS was cancelled yesterday because of high radiation from a rather large solar flare ~ the launch has been rescheduled for today at 1:07 (coverage on NASA TV and here starts at 12:45). Coverage of the arrival will be on Sunday (check here for times). The high space radiation also means a good chance (90% is the rumor) for auroras ~ so keep an eye on the aurora cams: Aurora Cam1 ~ Aurora Cam2 ~ Aurora Cam3 ~ Aurora Cam4 ~ Aurora Cam5 ~ Check here to see what the northern lights looked like previously from the ISS. Or of course, check out their web cam... always a great view and you never know, you might just catch a live view of the auroras yourself!

Wednesday January 8th, 2014 ~ The current visit by the arctic air mass is about over (we are a toasty warm 8 this morning and moving on up towards mid 50's (??!!) this weekend) ~ but the views of the roads, the snow watching links, and all the views in general remain a treat...from inside looking out that is. And also on this day we like to wish 2 of today's birthday boys ~ Stephen Hawking and Elvis Presley ~ a Happy Birthday. Not only do they share a birthday, they share a love of physics. While Stephen was studying the Large Scale Structure of Spacetime, Elvis was doing his own spacetime experiments by rocking 'round the clock and, as it turns out, investigating the existence of Dark Matter. Birthday Cake and (of course) some Arctic ice-cream all around ~

Tuesday January 7th, 2014 ~ Yikes it's cold ~ everywhere. On the hysterics-r-us channel (aka The Weather Channel) they said that every state in the union currently has some spot in it that is below freezing. True, many of those spots are at the tops of mountains but still it's an interesting semi-factoid we thought (of course we're sitting at -3 so that may have something to do with what we think is interesting). We do hope everyone got through the night, and still has plumbing and heat! We recommend staying under the covers and watching the views from there. The traffic views are particularly good, the stretch of the thruway from Erie to Buffalo is closed which is still (or maybe even more) fun to watch. (sorry, we think that even when it's warm outside). Going to leave the link for the snow watching views here, and the Tughill Plateau link to several other cameras in that area as well because, well check them out and you'll know why. Be careful out there, in fact don't be out there, be in somewhere enjoying the views ~ The thruway near Buffalo for example....



Monday January 6th, 2014 ~ Rumor has it if it isn't cold where you are at the moment... hang on because it will be. As record cold sweeps across the country we hope everyone stays warm and bundled up and inside ~ and here is a brilliant idea for this cold and wintery Epiphany ~ watching the views can help keep you in, and out of the weather. The snow watching views are going to be hopping ~ especially the Tug Hill Plateau area of New York where they are predicting 3-5 FEET of snow over the next 24 hrs or so. [Besides the link in the snow watching views here is a link to several other cameras in the area (cameras are listed down the left side of that page)]. The traffic cams are always a source of great weather watching, as are any of the views below (and any posted previously). Be careful out there, here's hoping that everyone's pipes make it through this arctic blast (leave some water trickling through them while you enjoy the views (and some hot chocolate!) ~

Sunday January 5th, 2014 ~ First Sunday of the year is here ~ and it's the 81st anniversary of the day they started working on the Golden Gate Bridge. So a check in on it today .... from this vantage point, or from fog cam, one of our old favorites (still in the table below) ~ this view. It was also this day just 94 years ago that the New York Yankees announced their purchase of the heavy-hitting outfielder George Herman "Babe" Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for the sum of $125,000. Some say that Sox owner Harry Frazee made the decision to sell Ruth to the Yankees for $125,000 in cash and some $300,000 in loans ~ which Frazee reportedly used to finance his Broadway production interests. All of which brings us to poor little quiz # 10 from back in 2009 ~ which has still never been answered! Give it a try in between views ~

Saturday January 4th, 2014 ~ Running late ~ we were all a bit blinded by the sun and the soaring temperatures...its 22 already!!! The car is finally cleared off (Thank you Jim!) and now it's time to run some errands and take in the views locally. (there are a few local views from Thursday's snow here)(please send us pictures from your side of the storm). Earth reached perihelion today about 4 hrs ago – its closest point to the sun for the year – or about 91,445,000 miles (147,166,462 km) from the sun. We're headed away from it now (whew, always glad when the brakes kick in) and if you want to keep track of future dates and times for perihelions, aphelions, equinoxes, and solstices you can check for them here. Go grab your sunglasses and enjoy the views ~

Friday January 3rd, 2014 ~ As we all dig out ....and here wonder why the thermometer is only saying 4... we dream of being somewhere a little warmer ~ like Antarctica! (where it is summer and a balmy 34 and yes, we are still looking for chicks). Or Alaska ~ because yes, it's even warmer in Alaska (it's 10 in Fairbanks at the moment). Well why wouldn't it be warmer? All the cold air is down here! :) Then to Alaska we go ~ as we celebrate the 55th anniversary of Alaska becoming a state and being admitted to the Union. We are so glad you joined us Alaska! It's a beautiful state everywhere you look. And here are a few lovely views of our 49th state today ~ In Fairbanks a great view of the Golden Heart Plaza ~ along with one of our favorite views of Fairbanks ~ a look at Anchorage and the starting point of the Iditarod ~ a look along the Denali Highway ~ and another old favorite, the Barrow Sea Ice Cam. Stay warm and enjoy the views ~

Thursday January 2nd, 2014 ~ Okay, most of the parties are over ~ so it's back to work! Back to work early are the snow machines, and luckily they are pointed toward us today! (and toward a very large swath of the country, but we'll take what we can get). As you watch the snow fall down, and pile up on the driveway, (remember, plow contract calls for plowing every 3 inches of accumulation) here, and in almost any view you pick today north of about 35° 2' 44" N, you might also want to check out the story Nightfall. Considered by many to be the best science fiction story ever written, it was penned by today's birthday boy Isaac Asimov. And while the snow piles up faster and faster we slow down to remember that today is the 40th anniversary of Nixon signing into law the first National Speed Limit ~ stay warm (hate it when the Arctic comes to visit and shows up with the big suitcases) and enjoy the snow (it's winter after all) and the views (ditto!) ~

Wednesday January 1st, 2014 ~ Happy New Year! The start of the 10th (how is that possible?) year of Driveway Cam bringing you all the views you can use, and being the place where America Shops for Driveway News. There will be parades around the country today (in no small part due to the 10th anniversary of said driveway cam), one of which, the Rose Bowl Parade, is rumored to have float cams for viewing! We do hope those rumors are true. A quick Happy Birthday (her 262nd!) to Betsy Ross and then it's off to the views ~ first stop Antarctica where we hope chicks will appear soon (if they haven't already!). So wipe the slates clean, we're starting a brand new year with 365 days of viewing ahead ~ Enjoy!



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