Author: Ms. R.

For those who enjoy spectacular nature mixed with local lore, Luxembourg‘s natural wonder, Wolf Gorge, is a perfect combination. Also known as Wollefsschlucht (Luxembourgish) and Gorges du Loup (French), this natural sandstone canyon was initially shaped by geological shifts and then carved and shaped over centuries by weather effects. With its awe-inspiring sandstone formations and dramatic views, it’s no wonder Wollefsschlucht has inspired local legends. It is said that the gorge is guarded by a black wolf—the cursed form……

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A few years ago, while sitting in his oncologist’s office, photographer Lance Oditt flipped through a National Geographic feature on the wisdom of trees as he waited for the results of his treatment for a chronic form of blood cancer. The article included Utah’s Pando, a grove of quaking aspen once considered the largest living organism in the world. Pando’s story resonated with Oditt: The tree had survived for millennia despite disease, overgrazing, and development threats. Maybe I can……

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Iconic recipes have to come from somewhere. Welcome to First Draft Foods, where this week we delve into the legends and controversies behind the world’s favorite dishes. Previously, we learned about the origins of red velvet cake. Clam chowder stands alone. Soupier than an average stew, chunkier than an average soup, it bubbles away at dockside restaurants and behind buffet counters. In the United States, it’s one of the few foods that’s both a cafeteria staple and a special-occasion……

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Iconic recipes have to come from somewhere. Welcome to First Draft Foods, where this week we delve into the legends and controversies behind the world’s favorite dishes. With its deep crimson layers topped with thick tufts of snowy frosting, red velvet cake cuts a striking figure. This unmistakable cake ranks high in the pantheon of iconic American desserts. “If you show up with a red velvet cake, people will love you,” says Vallery Lomas, the winner of The Great……

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This piece was originally published in Yale Environment 360 and appears here as part of our Climate Desk collaboration. “Thousands of sea lamprey are passed upstream literally suck the life out of their host fish, namely small-scale fish such as trout and salmon. The fish ladders ought to be used to diminish the lamprey.” So editorialized the Lawrence (Massachusetts) Eagle-Tribune……

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This Atlas Obscura–themed crossword comes from independent crossword constructor Brendan Emmett Quigley. He has been a professional puzzlemaker since 1996, and his pieces have appeared in dozens of publications. He’s also a member of the Boston Typewriter Orchestra. You can solve the puzzle below, or download it in .pdf or .puz. Note that the links in the clues will take you to Atlas Obscura pages that contain the answer. Happy solving!…

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