Travelogues & History
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as California reinvented itself as a land of health, leisure, and spectacle, a new aquatic building type emerged along its coastlines and growing inland cities: the plunge. In a time before the emergence of the backyard pool industry, the plunges were grand civic destinations, often enclosed, frequently ornate, and almost always tied to broader visions of social life and economic development.
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The northern-California pool and surrounding landscape designed by legendary landscape architect Thomas Church on a property known as Donnell Ranch stands as one the most influential pools of the 20th Century. For builder Chuck Baumann, an unlikely set of circumstances led him to the property and the inspiration that can come from studying a masterpiece.
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At first glance, the California Aqueduct can seem almost unassuming, but in truth, it is one of the most ambitious and consequential feats of hydraulic engineering ever attempted in the United States — nothing less than a modern-day river sculpted from concrete and willpower, delivering life-sustaining water to millions of people and acres of farmland in an otherwise arid landscape.
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From tranquil pools to vast oceans, few environments rival the immersive beauty of being underwater. For photographer Karyn Allard, that subaquatic world is a place of visual wonder, emotional reflection, artistic expression, and natural connection. In this personal essay, Allard shares her journey from childhood fascination with water to a lifelong creative pursuit that marries the quest for artistry, technical mastery, and emotional depth.
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Inspired by the legendary luxury and lifestyle of Acapulco, and a Ringo Starr song immortalizing the resort mecca, JC Escudero, reflects on the history and legacy that fuels dreams of ocean breezes, frothy drinks and sunshine.
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The ocean hides many secrets, and among its most haunting are the remains of ancient civilizations now lost to its depths. With new technology, including sonar mapping, underwater drones, and satellite imagery, now more than ever before researchers are uncovering forgotten chapters of human history hidden on the ocean floor.
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A recent overseas trip took Jim McCloskey to a place he’s wanted to see for more than 20 years – basically ever since he worked on a WaterShapes article by Douglas Roth more than two decades ago on the wonders of the Japanese garden known as Katsura Rikyu.
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La Spezia, Italy, is a place rich in history, architectural beauty, religious tradition and maritime heritage. One of its latest modern attractions is the Palio del Golfo Artwork—a work that pays homage to the rich local culture and traditions, while also pointing toward the future.
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The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite represents a groundbreaking leap in our ability to understand Earth’s water systems. Its data could potentially revolutionize climate modeling, enhance our understanding of ocean currents, and inform water resource management. Beyond surface water, SWOT enables indirect mapping of the ocean floor, uncovering insights into underwater landscapes, tectonic processes, and the history of Earth’s geology.
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A Journey Through the Paris Sewers