Cool Things to Look at on Google Earth!
93If you're old enough, you may remember the days when seeing the wonders of the world meant sitting on the floor cross-legged looking through the Funk & Wagnalls. By the way, for the remainder of this hub I will refer to Funk & Wagnalls as simply Funk. Sorry Mr. Wagnalls. If you're lips are mouthing "wtf is Funk & Wagnalls?" then you're too young to really appreciate what I'm saying.
Of course, many families back then simply couldn't afford Funk either. We had old Funk. Garage sale Funk. And frankly, old garage sale Funk can smell quite funky now that I mention it. Anyways, it was always outdated Funk. But, when you're looking at pictures of Stonehenge, can Funk really be outdated?
I've always enjoyed looking at images of the great wonders of the world. Old copies of National Geographic always had great photos too. To me, seeing these images allowed me to travel to these exotic places. I could imagine being there.
I think those of us who started with Funk can certainly appreciate the internet even more than those that never had there own Funk. The internet has allowed us more opportunities to see and experience things we never would have seen before.
I recommend you click on the link below and download Google Earth. You can spend hours seeing the world.
Just a FEW of the Places I've Been On Google Earth
- All over my hometown and surrounding area looking for my place of employment, my mom's house, etc.
- The Grand Canyon-traveling through the canyon in 3d mode is incredible
- Castlerigg Stone Circle in England-this is one of my favorite places in the world. I've stood on this spot and it's breathtaking.
- Tintern Abbey in South Wales-find yourself amongst the magnificent ruins
- Niagara Falls-US/Canadian border-reach places at Niagara Falls that you could not reach in real life. Even with the imagery you can appreciate the flow of water
- The Great Pyramids in Cairo Egypt-I found the surrounding area to be quite surprising. I didn't expect the abrupt change from city streets to desert.
- The Statue of Liberty-notice all the boats in the surrounding areas
- 6th Floor-The Texas School Book Depository-Dealey Plaza in Downtown Dallas, TX-site of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy.
- Stonehenge-England UK-always interesting to see this from overhead.
- Galveston Island-The Texas Gulf Coast-you appreciate how small Galveston really is and the importance of the seawall
Where Will YOU Go?
Make a list of all the places you'd like to see. You could use the internet and do searches for the top 100 places you must see before you die. Then fire up Google Earth and go see them. It really is the next best thing to being there.
Just think, it takes no money, no need for a passport, no conversion rates to worry about, no need to learn a new language, etc. Just click your way around the world.
More Great Google Earth Hubs by KCC Big Country
- Monopoly-Google Earth Style
According to a number of news reports on Tuesday, September 8th, 2009, Hasbro, makers of the 74-year old Monopoly game, announced that they have teamed up with Google Earth to develop an online version of the... - Google Earth-Baseball Stadiums
If you're in to baseball, have you looked up all your favorite baseball stadiums on Google Earth? Below I've provided some great links to tons of baseball information, along with a list of stadium names for... - Google Earth-More Fun!
If you haven't downloaded Google Earth yet, then you're missing out on all the fun! I have written several other hubs about Google Earth that I know you'll enjoy. Links to all of them can be found below. Be... - Google Earth-Viewing American Icons
I'm a huge fan of Google Earth. I have written quite a few articles about all the neat things you can see with Google Earth. I have provided links to my other related hubs below. One of my favorite uses of... - Google Earth-Viewing British Icons
I've only lived in Texas. No where else. In fact, I've lived within about a 20 mile radius of where I am right now all my life. So, when I had an opportunity, not once, but twice, to visit England, I... - The Best of Texas on Google Earth
I've lived in Texas all my life and I have only seen a fraction of the state. There is just so much to see here. To get in the car and drive Texas, you'd spend forever seeing it. One way to help, is to... - Google Earth for NASCAR Fans
There was a time when I followed NASCAR racing a bit when I was married to my first husband. He was a Ford man. Back then, not too many years ago really, Ford sponsored a free meet and greet type party in the... - Google Earth-My Hobby
I admit it. I'm hooked. I'm hooked on virtual traveling with Google Earth. I could spend hours picking out places to visit and zooming in to see all the intricacies of each city. My first hub about Google... - Exploring the Sky, Moon and Mars with Google Earth
If you're old enough, at least a baby boomer, then perhaps you remember when we landed on the moon in 1969. I can't say that I remember it, but I remember being aware of it during that time, if that makes... - Crop Circle Crazy
Close your eyes. Ok, maybe you can't close your eyes for this. At least try to imagine waking up, wiping the sleep from your eyes, stretching and you look out the window above the kitchen sink, and there it...
Check This Out for more Fun!
- Virtual Globetrotting by fellow Hubber johnb0127
What is Virtual Globetrotting? Virtual Globetrotting: Explore Your World is an online website you can go to to literally explore our world.
Great Google Earth Links
- Google Earth Tips
Tips on navigating around on Google Earth. Great help for the newbie! - Photos: The Best of Google Earth
Around the world, via burning oil fields, topless sunbathers and Area 51... Leaning towers of Manhattan. Great shots! - In Pictures: Most Spectacular Sights in Google Sky - PC World
Want to boldly go all over the universe? With views of 100 million stars and 200 million galaxies, Google Sky lets you be a virtual space traveler with just a few clicks of a mouse. Here are some amazing images that are literally out of this world. - Five Fun Google Earth Time-Wasters - PC World
Check out these five fun Google Earth excursions that take you to the depths of the oceans and the height of the heavens. - http://bbs.keyhole.com/ubb/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=360116&site_id=1#import
Site that has links to over 3000 aircraft caught in flight on Google Earth. - In Pictures: The Strangest Sights in Google Earth - PC World
With its detailed satellite photos, Google's interactive map lets everyone be a virtual globetrotter. And some of the things we've found in our travels are downright bizarre. - FOXNews.com - Google Earth Leads Man to \'Buried Treasure\' - Science News | Science & Technolog
Google Earth Leads Man to 'Buried Treasure', L.A. musician spots something online, drives to Texas with shovel in hand. - Funk & Wagnalls - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
- Google Earth
This is must! Download Google Earth's software for free. You'll have hours of fun with this!
CommentsLoading...
I knew you'd remember Funk. I know what you mean GT....I buy books all the time. One of my favorite places to go is a bookstore. Anytime in the past when I felt down I'd go to a bookstore. There is something so empowering about standing amongst rows and rows of books. So much knowledge and opinion there. And yes, I love how the written word allows for the imagination to take over. Thanks for stopping by GT.
KCC. I tour the world with my computer too, (and find things down the road that I didn't know about.) F&W was one of my sources when young, and old copies of National Geographic, Readers Digest, Walt Disney's Comics (which were actually cunningly educational) and pretty-well anything else I could get my hands on. My family believed in the strength of knowledge, although I doubt whether they would have said as much. It was, I suppose, too obvious to be laboured.
TOF......of course, I had the Funk I described above and some National Geographics, but my dad's big thing was to make sure I had an abundance of paper, all sizes, colors, etc. of paper. I was always encouraged to write and draw. That is something my husband had a hard time with when we had kids. Because of how he was brought up (paper was scarce and had to be treasured) he always felt like our kids wasted it whereas I continued to supply them with more and more of it. But, I think it's important for parents to supply the materials (books, paper, nowadays internet, etc) that allows kids to explore, learn, and express themselves. By having these things available I think we became better artists, better writers, more well-rounded. Thanks for stopping by TOF.
Just yesterday, I visited the Eiffel Tower in Paris, went to someplace in Africa where a tree was growing in the middle of someone's house (that I found from one of the links above), Blackpool, England, and along Hadrian's Wall in England.
The definition of the English sat-pics is so good that the tops of people's heads are clearly defined and their shadows look like ants. Check out central Oxford, KCC. Over here our pics are about four years old, but the street level photos were only taken last Winter, and are very clear. You can take a tour through bush covered country with them, or get an insight of our suburban life.
Cheers, TOF
Thanks TOF! Thanks for more places I can visit. I really do enjoy doing this. The first time I used Google Earth my husband was still back in England. We used to enjoy talking on Skype to each other and both be on our computers looking at places. It was like we were visiting these places together. It was awesome. At the time we were looking at the pyramids.
I looked at the pyramids around three years ago on my old steam driven cobbled together from bits computer, using a 15in CRT, 667 CPU and a 56k modem. It took half an hour to download! Worth it though, great pics.
It is awesome isn't it? As I mentioned above in my hub I was just so surprised about the abrupt way that the packed hustle bustle city stops and the desert starts and there sit the pyramids. I just expected it to be different.
With the 3d graphics Google Earth has now, I was shocked how tall the Eiffel Tower is. In some photos it doesn't seem that big. But as I went all around yesterday I was impressed.
The Grand Canyon was awesome. I know I've seen spots on it that I could never get to by traditional means. I am dying to fly in a helicopter over it. But, in a way I already have without the expense, sense of danger, etc.
GIves me goosebumps.
I'm petty much state of the art now, with the latest Google graphics. There doesn't seem enough hours in the day to do all that I wish on the net.
Hey TOF....I just went to Oxford NZ and wondered if you could tell me what the big circles are all about at these coordinates....
43"22'59.34"S
172"14'21.80" E
I actually meant Oxford UK, am looking up Oxford NZ now.
LOL......Well....ok then........I'll head to the UK while you head to NZ....we'll meet back here. LOL
OK, They appear to be irrigated fields. if you zoom and slant you'll find a mobile irrigation pipe on the one you pinpointed at around the four o'clock position. These things on a smaller scale are sometimes called "Creeping Jesus" because of the rate at which they move. The area appears to be intensively cropped although as a probable winter shot, a lot would be fallow. Try clicking on the camera icons (Double click) it will bring up a ground level photo which you can drag through 360 degrees. The definitions clear, but you may have to wait a while for it to define.
I think that the little black patches scattered around and near the hub of the circle are cattle.
Ah....that makes sense! I went to Oxford UK and hung around the domed library (I forgot the name of it already).....but it was cool. I also went to an atrium at a college.
Great KCC. I have to go of web now for 5or 6 hours, I'll catch you later.
Ok....thanks for 'traveling' with me! I'm in Las Vegas now going over all the casinos. Talk to you another time!
Isn't it a wonderful Google world? I don't travel as much as I used to - and you know what? Armchair travelling is almost as much fun! Great hub KCC!
Thanks Shalini.......I just think it helps people see parts of the world they never would have seen otherwise. I may never make it to see the pyramids live and in person....but I"m ok with that now. I've at least gone over them, all around them, all around the nearby towns via Google Earth. And for all the places I will still end up seeing, I'll already know my way around a bit. :) Thanks for stopping by Shalini.
KCC Big Country--Thanks. I can't wait to travel!
OMG....you'll love it Kari! It's incredible.
I LOVE Google Earth!!! I have it on my computer, and the first thing I did was look for my house, I lived on a military base at the time, and I could see everything (planes, helicopters, etc.) Looking back, it is kinda scary that just anyone could look up that sort of thing.
I agree Anna Marie! But, it's such fun! They really have made some good enhancements too. Lots of street views that you can get in and do 360s. It's incredible.
Just popped in to say - love the new avatar :)
I snuck it in.....wondered how long it'd be for someone noticed. Thanks, Shalini. Now you know what KCC looks like. :)
I love google earth. I can spend lots of time rotating and zooming....great hub! The clapping monkey is cool too....Wasn't he kind of creepy prop in a horror movie? I seem to vaguely remember something like that...
Thanks Scott! I think I spend a little time on Google Earth every single day. There is just so dang much to see! I don't know if you've seen my hub about the story behind the monkey. But if you go there you'll see his companion, the Panda. OMG....wanna talk about creeeeeeeeepy?! The Panda is deranged looking! Thanks for stopping by. I don't know if you know how big a fan I am of YOUR hubs, but I am.
Hi, KCC. In the past, I had avoided downloading Google Earth because I had a computer that was already packed with stuff. But now I have a new computer and you've convinced me to download it. I can't wait to try it out. Thanks!
I'm so glad, Christoph! You won't regret it! It is sooooo addicting! There is so much to see and do. Report back! I want to hear about your travels!
Oh gosh-- and I am plenty old enough to get the F&W reference, Google Earth is great-- except for the fact that my hubby-- who previously showed no interest at all in my computer-- can sit for hours exploring the world -- especially all of the various obscure places he has lived and visited.
I'm almost sorry i ever showed him.
Oh no, Rochelle! LOL I'm glad you're old enough for Funk. :)
I'm past the point of looking at places I've been, I'm more excited about all the millions of places I haven't! Knock him of the computer and 'go somewhere'!
I downloaded it and LOVE IT! I had to tear myself away to do some actual work, but I'll be going back. Thanks.
I'm so glad Christoph! I'm telling you, it is a great piece of technology. I think schools should utilize to show students the places they learn about. Hey, let's GO THERE! To me, it helps them realize how big (or small) the world really is!
I've introduced it to my teenage daughter. She loves it too!
I have google earth too. Fantastic to go see places I have not been to for years, and see what has changed.
Thanks Earnest! I have lived in the same general area all of my life so I don't have that aspect to my 'travel', but I could see where that would be fascinating as well!
well its awsome...the web link of 100 places must see before die ....something.....great information and excellent hub...keep it up..thanx for sharing such a great idea....
Thanks Britney! Thanks for stopping by!
It's nice to find someone who enjoys google earth as much as I do! Its a nice way to 'vacation' during the recession. Loved the hub and look forward to reading more --
Susan, thanks for stopping by! You're so right. I love how you can be anywhere on earth in a few clicks. It's fun and easy!
This is very cool. I remember seeing G Earth for the first time, and I was blown away. I want to go to Spain.
Thanks for stopping by Chris Crow! I haven't explored Spain yet. I need to do that!
1000 Places To See Before You Die is my favorite travel book. It sums up the best the world has to offer.
I've been dying to buy the book and it looks like you may have just convinced me. I have so many places on my list now, it scares me to think I may find 900 more I hadn't thought of ! LOL But, if I can see at least half of them on Google Earth and the other half in real life....wow. Thanks for stopping by!
I love looking at weird places such as where I may be going on holiday etc. Google Earth is so great for that sort of thing. Check out some of the Scandinavian cities like Bergen, very beautiful.
Thanks for sharing that location, Bristolboy! I will check it out!
Hey KCC, congrat's on the great hub score, sorry that I was so slow in commenting here. (Hope you got my email)
Cheers, TOF
Thanks TOF, it was a momentary thing. I had to share with someone. I got no mail. :(
Damn, it was sent directly after your message. Sorry.
It's ok! TOF Hey, did you notice the video I added? Has some cool places to find on Google Earth.
KCC, sorry I'm so late to see this. great hub, thanks. I really liked the view of the ephalants, kewl. The music with the vid was really awesome too. I will now download google earth, I didn't think it was free, I was under the impression it was like $400 or more, thanks
Thanks for stopping by CC.Riter! I know you're a busy man! I've seen you cranking out the Tolden Goad chapters! I loved the elephants as well! It's really amazing! Yes, it's free and fun!
OK girl, you rock
I just had a look. a great view of the top side of three elephants, 5.55mins through. (From the planet Pachyderm, part of the Barnum solar system I'd assume)
Hey CC, if it ain't free I ain't got it. Now, (well in an hour) you can see the hole I'm trembling on the brink off, and a ground level shot of my letterbox and drive!
LOL@ TOF...doesn't the Barnum solar system lie directly between the Bailey and the Ringling solar systems, and that's why they're sometimes known as the 3-ringed solar system?
KCC, F&W! What a blast from the past! However, we only had the dictionary (2 vol) that came with our World Book Encyclopedia - which I devoured in about a year. If the net and G Earth had existed back then, I would've been on it 24/7. Love G Earth, but it concerns me too it shows our military installations.
There are sections that are not as detailed as others....and I think that is on purpose in some cases. That feature works both ways though, JG.
JG, the satellite shots of my neck of the woods are over three years old. I think that you'll find those of your military bases are similarly out of date.
KCC, Wasn't that a three ring Sirius, part of the K9 sector and currently in conjunction with Pluto?
LOL @ TOF....I think you're correct.
Nice funk hub KCC! I wanted to really say...nice funking hub, but I figured that might be over the line. ;) :D
You gave me some very good nostalgic giggles with all of your funk references, and I enjoyed reading this!
I guess I'll have to download google earth too. Peer pressure. :)
I'm glad you enjoyed the Funk! Download it Pam! You'll have a blast. My daughter and I were looking last night at the street views they now have. It was spooky. We 'went' by my parents house and my dad's truck was there in the drive. He passed away in September. We went all the way around the house "hoping" to see him outside. He wasn't.
Come to think of it, about a year ago my brother sent me a link to a live google map of my mom's place and he said I could see her husband standing outside. I traveled up and down the street looking at the neighborhood, but i didn't have to download anything. Also, I tried looking up other places, but there weren't many places available. This must be something different i was looking at because I didn't have to download anything.
Now I must investigate! Thanks!
That's just regular Google maps. I've done that too. But on it, you're limited to main roadways. Google Earth is a bit different and you actually go everywhere. Watch the video above, you'll see what I mean.
KCC, if you want a really clear definition image of a small NZ town, type in Coromandel NZ in your search window. I haven't found anywhere so well defined worldwide.
its like a world tour from ur desktop :P
nice technology! i hope it will go beyond what we see here.. when google develops this on virtual reality then everyone can feel these places from home..
What an apocalyptic soundtrack this video has :). I wonder who bothered drawing all those horses and smileys on the ground, and why...
By the way, you should also try the 5.0 version, where Google tries to explore the ocean - it's awesome!
TOF, Maverickmonk, thejimster, thanks for stopping by! Sorry I've been out of pocket for a few days and couldn't reply sooner.
I visited Coromandel at your suggestion TOF and you're right! The images there are very crisp. Thanks for sharing!
It is cool, isn't it Maverickmonk! I'm anxious for the advancement too!
Thejimster, I'll have to look into exploring the ocean too! Thanks for sharing.
I love looking on Google Earth. The 360 degree options are incredible when you're visiting places like the street you grew up on!
Do you have any nudist colonies marked....LOL.....JK
Well...Florida Keys, if we figure out where any are I'm sure we could buzz over and check it out! LOL Thanks for stopping by!
Wow, great hub! I love Google Earth, especially the Flight Simulator! Its like you are flying above the whole world! Its so cool!
--John
John, thanks for the comments! It really is amazing what we can now experience from the comfort of our home sitting in front of a computer.
I've managed to avoid google earth so far - I thought that I'd spend too much time on it, and there's no shortage of time thieves in my life. But what the funking heck - after reading htis hub i'm going to download the software.
lphigenia, you'll be funking glad you did! LOL Just look at it this way. It takes less time to visit Africa & the Grand Canyon via Google Earth than it does to actually go there. LOL So, consider it a time-saver.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nKswNWNwBSo This has some 'amazing' mazes.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOPMjqlSKFM Critters to the tune of "The Lion Sleeps Tonight".....you'll enjoy it!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcnEi6cLu7w This time it's auto and truck crashes found on Google Earth. Pretty interesting stuff.
I have a 34 inch HDTV but I think I should invest in maybe say a 65inch HDTV and sit back plug the laptop into the TV and start doing some sight seeing.
That does sound like fun! Can I come over? LOL That's a great idea if you think about it. Imagine the things you'll see.
Google Earth is a new and good site I just found.And I think any one introduced to this site would like it due to is great reputation of the world exploration.
You're right, Prince Ovie! I think people of all ages would enjoy playing around on Google Earth. There is so much to see and do. You can learn so much about history, reminsce about places in your past, etc.
Just one more thing I haven't got around to doing. I'd like to check out neighborhoods and small towns in other countries, just to see the layout.
Load up Google Earth and go for it! It's fun! I've seen so many cool places doing that!
Google Earth is wonder creation but it was hide truth before from public for a long time. But now the technology fast you can travel virtually around the world.
How the hell do you download the bloody thing
Mark, the link is the last one in my list of links just before the news section.
Incredible, thanks so much for the eye opening re-introduction to google earth. I was glued to your hub, and had to watch the video and now I might waste another day looking at your links. Your writing is personal and humorous. Wonderful entertainment.
Awww...thank you so much, SteveoMc! I have probably 10 hubs about Google Earth. I love playing around on there. Not sure if it's a curse or a gift, but I write like I talk, for the most part.
My favorite place to visit in google earth is our house. I love to see the roof of our house I feel happy that we truly exist in this world.
LOL....I don't get to do that. The area where I live hasn't been fixed yet. You can't yet zoom in. I've seen it on county appraisal software. Makes you wish you'd picked up around the yard. :)
you forgot the great wall of china! It looks absolutely fabulous on google. I have visited it twice and its an incredible place as well as the forbidden city. Great tips though, I'll check out. Thanks.
I enjoyed your article and I'll have to check out google earth and some of your links on here. Thanks for sharing...
Thank you GistngRosePetals! You'll have a blast!
Thank you for this hub, really interesting. I haven't tried out all these yes, but I will ;)
Thanks robDave.....hope you enjoy it as much as I do!
ITS SO AWESOME
KEWL
goldentoad 3 years ago
My next trip if I ever get a next trip will be to Peru, macchu pichu, or however you spell it. Something about books in general, not just funk and wagnalls, that seem to be fading out, but I hope that feeling of touch of the pages and the imagination is never removed from us.