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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.113

Amazingly, one of the first fruit trees planted by European settlers upon reaching US soil is still alive, well, and bearing fruit. The Endicott pear took root in 1630 and ever since has been lauded and carefully cared for by many, though it has encountered its fair share of trials and tribulations through the centuries as well. A fascinating tale!

US FRUIT TREE PLANTED BY EUROPEAN SETTLERS (article)

We've posted several stories of incredible efforts to plants trees in India, but this one takes the cake. This past Monday, more than 800,000 people from all walks of life planted almost 50 MILLION trees in 24 HOURS in Uttar Pradesh, absolutely crushing the world record set by Pakistan in 2013. Read more about this planting and the $6.2 billion the Indian government has put aside to funds such efforts.

50 MILLION TREES PLANTED IN INDIA (short article)

In 1919, a powerful group of women came together in Eureka, CA, with a single purpose: to save the Redwoods. Their incredible efforts were revolutionary at the time. Not only did they challenge established gender norms, these women created one of the first environmental movements in the US.

THE WOMEN WHO SAVED THE REDWOODS (article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.111

Happy July 4th weekend! Did you know that the first act of defiance against the British leading up to the Revolutionary War took place in 1765 under a stately elm? Dubbed The Liberty Tree, this symbol of resistance was felled ten years later by the British in order to crush the spirit of revolt. It didn't work. In fact, their actions had the opposite effect. Learn about this incredible tree at the link below.

THE LIBERTY TREE (article)

Have you ever wanted to ride a bicycle from coast to coast, through amber waves of grain and over purple mountains majesty? There's no better way to experience the incredible diversity of people and geography that the United States has to offer. If you ever decide to scratch that itch, check out this blog, which is meant to prepare would-be adventurers for the trials and tribulations of the road ahead.

BIKE ACROSS AMERICA (blog)

The next time you have to cut a tree down, or if the British show up in your yard and fell your favorite elm, here are loads of amazing ideas for what to do with the remains. Don't let that stump go to waste!

31 USES FOR TREE STUMPS (photos)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.110

Over 150 years ago, a hunter named August Dowd discovered a giant sequoia stretching over 300 feet towards the sky. He was dumbfounded. News of the special specimen spread quickly, and eventually a team of lumberjacks showed up to spend the following three weeks cutting it down. The story doesn't end there, though. Read the tragic tail of The Mammoth Tree, a place you can no longer go.

THE MAMMOTH TREE (article)

In hopeful contrast to the above tale, clusters of new baby giant sequoias have begun to spring up in the aftermath of the Rough Fire in the Sierra Nevada. Read this inspiring article about tiny seedlings en route to becoming the world's largest trees.

BABY GIANT SEQUOIAS (article)

Bicycles and trains were invented at roughly the same time in human history. Every year, the Iron Horse Bicycle Classic pits one against the other in Colorado. Started by Jim and Tom Meyer decades ago, in 1972, the ride sprang out of a simple boast. Now, it draws thousands of cyclists each year. In 2016, 2,500 cyclists from 43 states and 6 countries accepted the challenge. Can you guess how many of them beat the train?

IRON HORSE: BICYCLE VS TRAIN (video/article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.108

Electric bicycles are all the rage these days. Plenty of fully articulated models are on the market, as are kits that allow you to transform your trusty steed into an effortless speed demon. The GeoOrbital Wheel has gone through six iterations thus far, and the newest model is their best yet. It doesn't get any easier than this.

GEOORBITAL WHEEL (video)

Books owe a lot to trees, especially being made from them, but it's the trees in books that caught our attention. Here are seven contenders for the best tree in literature. Have one of your own? Nominate it in the comments!

FAVORITE TREES IN LITERATURE (photo essay)

Rumor has it that The Chapel Oak is as old as France itself. It has witnessed some amazing moments in history and has been visited by the likes of Charlemagne and William the Conqueror. This incredible tree is home to two chapels and is whimsical in appearance. Read more about this incredible specimen at the link below.

THE CHAPEL OAK (photo essay)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.102

Last year, cyclist Eric "The Red Baron" Barone, 54, beat his own world speed record on a mountain bike in the snow, topping out at 138.75mph. The video speaks for itself. Woah. What a rush!

MOUNTAIN BIKE SPEED WORLD RECORD (video)

Trees hold a special place throughout American history, as previously mentioned in our recommendation of the book "American Canopy" by Eric Rutkow. If you don't feel up to the task of reading an entire book about the subject, the following article might inspire you. In colonial New England, trees were a prominent feature of everyday life. A pine tree even adorned the first local currency produced, the pine tree shilling. Interested? Keep reading.

SYMBOLIC TREES OF NEW ENGLAND (article)

Artist Stephen Lund, based in Victoria, British Columbia, frequently rides 50 miles in a day to create GPS sketches using the cycling app Strava. His imagination, and legs, seemingly know no bounds. This is a really fun gallery to browse.

DRAWING WITH GPS (photo essay)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.100

Happy 100th week of Sunday Show & Tell! Have you been following from the beginning? We hope you've enjoyed the many fascinating links we've presented over the past two years. Here's to 100 more!

We begin this week with a love story starring trees. This Silly Symphony, brought to us by Walt Disney, is sure to make you smile. It's always a good time for a little dose of happy.

A LOVE STORY STARRING TREES (film)

Next, a subtly hilarious video for tourists about how to bicycle in Amsterdam, as told by a local. Most of these rules of the road are useful in every cityscape. The presentation is memorable, to say the least.

CYCLING IN AMSTERDAM (video)

Finally, check out this short from National Geographic about The President, the world's second-largest known tree. The sheer about of biomass in this behemoth is awe inspiring. Would you climb it?

THE PRESIDENT (video)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.94

As 2015 draws to a close, we thought it a perfect moment to present this collection of the 10 most beautiful bikes of the year. We sure would love to add some of these to the RETREET stable!

10 MOST BEAUTIFUL BIKE OF 2015 (photo essay)

New bike day always brings a smile to the face. In Shaq's case, the man, the smile, and the bike are all huge. Check out this video of him riding around his new custom steed.

SHAQ GETS A NEW BIKE (video)

Native Americans used ropes to bend trees in strange ways, creating signs that denoted places of geographical importance, like shelter and water. Recently, a movement has begun to identify and preserve those that remain. Arborilogical archeology!

PRESERVING INDIAN MARKER TREES (article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.89

Beth Moon, an aptly-named photographer from San Francisco, spent the last 14 years photographing the world's oldest trees illuminated by starlight. As she explains, "the series was inspired by two fascinating scientific studies that connect tree growth with celestial movement and astral cycles." Her series of photos is an absolute must see.

OLDEST TREES BY STARLIGHT (photo essay)

This fun, short video starts with a woman walking a baby carriage down the street, then takes an unexpected turn. That's a sweet sidecar!

PRAM CAR - 1951 (video)

Finally, a scientific study that validates tree hugging! Not only is having direct contact with trees good for your health, so is merely seeing them. It also helps with cognitive development and brain function. If you had any doubts, put your mind at ease with this article. Then, go outside and hug a tree. 

TREE HUGGING SCIENTIFICALLY VALIDATED (article)

Indian billionaire Manoj Bhargava has a simple solution for the 1.3 billion people living without electricity in the world: ride one of his bikes! 60 minutes of effort on the Free Electric hybrid bike will power a home for 24 hours. Exercise and electricity? Take our money!

PEDAL POWER (article/video)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.86

Over the years, numerous studies have shown that a walk through the woods, or "forest bath" as Japanese doctors describe it, is a great way to reduce stress and fatigue. However, a new study out of Australia takes that notion one step further. Believe it or not, even gazing for a moment at something green outside of your office window will calm you down and help you focus. Give it a try tomorrow at work!

GREEN BREAKS FOR YOUR BRAIN (article)

What's the difference between fall in North America and fall in Europe? One word: RED. Finnish and Israeli scientists followed a trail of research that led them back in time 35 million years in order to answer what brought about this striking difference in foliage.

DIFFERENCES IN FALL FOLIAGE (video)

One man, obsessed with the history of Abraham Lincoln's assassination, decided the only way he could fully understand the story was to retrace John Wilkes Booth's 12-day run from the authorities after having shot the President at Ford's Theater. Lacking a horse, he realized the best way to do it was by bike. Follow his fascinating journey of discovery.

BIKING AFTER BOOTH (article)

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SUNDAY SHOW & TELL
vol.81

An artist in South Korea has mastered his ability to transform discarded pieces of wood, mostly tree trunks, into magnificent and functional sculptures. This gallery of photos is one of the most beautiful we have ever seen. If only we could partner with Jae-Hyo Lee in some of the areas in which we work!

JAE-HYO LEE TREE FURNITURE (photos)

Believe it or not, the image below is of a compact bicycle that, when dissembled, can fit into a large suitcase. The ECO 07 is also a remarkably attractive ride: an urban bicycle that is designed to save space and turn heads.

COMPACT URBAN BICYCLE (photos)

About 1,500 years ago, the Roman Empire completed their campaign to wipeout the Judean date palm tree, formerly a staple crop of the Kingdom of Judea. Previously, the tree was so influential that King David named his daughter after it in the Old Testament. During excavations of Herod the Great's palace, scientists discovered a jar of seeds for extinct tree and several were planted in 2005. In 2011, one even produced its first flower. This ancient tree has been brought back to life and the seed from which it sprung is the oldest know to germinate. What an incredible story!

ANCIENT TREE LIVES ANEW (article)