This past weekend I drove from Los Angeles to Tucson via Interstate-10, and took to noticing the names of the various ditches and washes that are spanned by the highway out in the middle of the high lonesome desert. There are a lot of them. Ghost Ditch, Taro Ditch, Larry Ditch, Stubby Wash, Fornat Wash, Itta Wash, Edom, Mccoy, Rollie, Bula, Sutro, Calotus, Esso, Arco, Teed, Turala, maybe a hundred between the ditches and the washes. The names don't seem to refer to nearby municipalities (there aren't any) or other geographical features, and are clearly part of the National Bridge Inventory. How were these 'waterways' named? Who named them? Were they named before the freeway required infrastructure to pass over them, or during the construction process, or when the NBI was implemented, or after the fact altogether?
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posted by carsonb
on May 14, 2013 -
7 answers
I'm looking for advice, suggestions, critiques, reviews of our July Las Vegas to Utah National Parks itinerary.
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posted by RoadScholar
on Apr 1, 2013 -
22 answers
Any National Park Service or other closely affiliated agency (BLM, Army Corps of Engineers, etc) able to speak about their experience with said agency?
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posted by melizabeth
on Dec 13, 2012 -
5 answers
Drivers of NoVA: Starting from the intersection of 123/Ox Rd. and 286/Fairfax County Parkway, picking a friend up from DCA/National Airport, flight arriving at 7am this Wednesday. Should I drive the whole way, stop at Franconia-Springfield and take the metro, or some other plan C? What will traffic, parking at F-S, and metro crowding be like and how early should I leave? What effect will the holiday have?
posted by anaelith
on Nov 18, 2012 -
11 answers
I need help so I don't miss out on watching the best "can't miss" speeches of the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
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posted by marsha56
on Sep 6, 2012 -
10 answers
I need a bank account for some work-related stuff. I need a debit card for it, like yesterday. What nationally available banks can I open a checking account with that will give me a (temporary, at least) debit card immediately? Bonus if they have a lower than $20 minimum balance. I'll be arriving in Wharton, NJ tomorrow to open this, so bigger bonus if there's a branch there.
posted by piedmont
on Jul 18, 2012 -
10 answers
In the wake of the Affordable Care Act being upheld, there have been a lot of (joking?) references to Americans threatening to move to Canada to avoid socialized health care. But now I'm curious: if someone were really determined to move from America to a country with no kind of universal health care for its citizens, what would the most attractive option be?
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posted by Alexander Hatchell
on Jun 29, 2012 -
32 answers
To what extent do cultural values affect foreign policy making between U.S. and China?
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posted by espada0
on Feb 14, 2012 -
11 answers
What are some negative national stereotypes that do not involve Americans as either the -typer or the -typee?
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posted by Trurl
on Oct 30, 2011 -
44 answers
I was reading a book to my son (
Face to face with Lions from National Geographic) and found a very interesting statement about male lions that our ousted from their Pride.
According to this book, a male lion averages only 3-4 years as a leader of a pride, before a younger lion comes in and kicks out the old guard. The book says that the old pride leader then tends to lose his mane, making him look more feminine, which helps him be able to stick around with his pride, without confusing anyone as to who the real leader is now.
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posted by toekneebullard
on Sep 27, 2011 -
5 answers
Can anyone tell me about the National or Ambassador brands of frozen lamb sold in Korea, but from elsewhere in Asia - origins, quality etc? Anyone enough of a web detective to find more info, or can make an educated guess from what you know?
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posted by Not Supplied
on Aug 27, 2011 -
4 answers
How would you illustrate the U.S. public debt of $14 trillion in a concrete way?
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posted by keijo
on Apr 26, 2011 -
21 answers
“A citizen of America will cross the ocean to fight for democracy but won't cross the street to vote in a national election”
Why is there an apparent apathy of political participation in America, and to extend it a bit, how come voting turn-out is higher in some countries in others even if the countries in comparison are both recognized liberal democracies?
posted by espada0
on Mar 10, 2011 -
27 answers
This metafilter post got me wondering - is there a robust website with all of these kinds of obscure world/national holidays?
posted by drewski
on Oct 21, 2010 -
4 answers
What are your favorite trails in Canyonlands National Park and Arches National Park?
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posted by ztdavis
on Aug 9, 2010 -
11 answers
I've just been shortlisted for an academic position at the National University of Ireland, Galway campus, but I'm currently living in Australia! Help me with the logistics of starting to consider this move, how we might do it and what Ireland (and NUI Galway, Galway the town) is actually like!
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posted by ranglin
on Aug 7, 2010 -
12 answers
Additions, suggestions, and general information for my Cross Country (USA) Trip. Help me make it awesome please!
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posted by zephyr_words
on May 26, 2010 -
6 answers
We are overwhelmed with choices for a 9-11 day driving trip from Los Angeles. Which national parks/areas are must-see, and which are skip-its? And other Car-Camping conundrums...
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posted by Lord_Pall
on Feb 18, 2010 -
8 answers
I recently attended a
National Graduate Portfolio Day for students interesting in pursuing an MFA. I had a positive response, making me feel confident about my work and its presentation. However, I am suspicious, as I haven't heard anyone telling stories that they were really chewed out or criticized by their reviewers. I actually tried to push some of my reviewers to give me negative feedback, but they were ultimately optimistic. Are these things for real, or are they just a way for schools to talk people into applying?
posted by davidriley
on Nov 10, 2009 -
6 answers
In primary/elementary schools of other countries, is it mandatory for children to sing the national anthem?
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posted by querty
on Sep 16, 2009 -
66 answers
I'm going to be in Spain RIGHT before October 12th (Fiesta Nacional de España), will anything be open?
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posted by lattiboy
on Jun 10, 2009 -
9 answers
What is the real name and historical background of "the Heritage Club” in the movie "Trading Places”? I was an undergraduate in the city of Philadelphia in the early 1970s, and completely missed this until I saw the movie.
posted by Daddysugar
on Mar 6, 2009 -
3 answers
I'm googling without success for 2008 US National election results broken down by race, gender, education, income. etc. Any ideas?
posted by wsg
on Nov 10, 2008 -
9 answers
Best way to volunteer for the national presidental campaign? In the interest of being useful to a large amount of people, let's say either side is open.
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posted by msamye
on Aug 8, 2008 -
6 answers
How can I get the most out of a day visit to Zion Nat'l Park - or any parks within a ~2 hour's drive from Las Vegas?
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posted by MarkLark
on Aug 5, 2008 -
11 answers
36 Hours in Yosemite: I'll be attending a conference in San Francisco and will have most of the weekend to kill. We've already booked a hotel room just outside Yosemite National Park. I plan on seeing the Giant Sequoias, and generally just driving around. There's so much to see there that only 36 hours seems like a travesty. Alas. What are some must see things there that I can enjoy at a relatively relaxed pace in my short time there?
posted by Burhanistan
on Aug 4, 2007 -
9 answers
Old school techno songs identification: one remix of National Geographic, and one (mis-heard) quote.
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posted by sandking
on Jun 21, 2007 -
1 answer
BroadwayFilter: Is it possible to get a non-broadway cast recording of Wicked?
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posted by Rowgun
on Jun 7, 2007 -
5 answers
I need to plan a relaxing, adventurous and very frugal vacation for my GF and I in late July leaving from So-Cal. Help!
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posted by Waffle_King
on May 16, 2007 -
9 answers
Here in the United States, we are fond of referencing "the American Dream." I think it is safe to say that there is a commonly and widely accepted definition of the term that, each of us, if asked, could readily provide.
I've always wondered: Do people in other countries do this as well? Is there a "French Dream?" Do Swedes speak of the "the Swedish Dream?" Etc. If they do, what are they and do they differ from the American Dream?
posted by pasici
on Dec 7, 2006 -
28 answers
NCAAfilter: What would have to happen for Florida to play for the national championship (football) this year?
posted by nimkip
on Nov 14, 2006 -
9 answers
