Barnstorming on an Invisible Segway

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vlaeykensgang

Tucked away from the bustling streets of Antwerp's historic center, the Vlaeykensgang is a genuine portal to the 16th century. Dating back to 1591, this near-secret labyrinth of alleys and courtyards is one of the last remaining examples of a medieval "gang" (alley) in the city.

To find it, one must pass through an inconspicuous wooden gate at Oude Koornmarkt 16, which looks more like a private entrance than a public passage. Once inside, the noise of the city fades, replaced by the quiet charm of cobblestone paths, ivy-covered brick walls, and tiny, picturesque houses.

Historically, this alley was home to the city's poorest residents, particularly the cobblers (shoemakers) who managed the nearby guild. Legend also states that it served as a vital shortcut for the cathedral's bell-ringers (klokkenluiders), allowing them to quickly reach the church when the bells needed to be rung.

Today, the alley is meticulously restored and houses private residences and a fine-dining restaurant, but it remains a publicly accessible oasis of calm that many visitors walk straight past, unaware of the history hidden just meters away.

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/vlaeykensgang

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-texan-steak-ranch-brewery

It’s hard to miss the Big Texan Steak Ranch. There’s the bright yellow building, the giant fiberglass cow and of course the restaurant’s 90-foot-tall cowboy sign.

Of course to call this eatery and brewery a “restaurant” vastly understates its place as a historical icon along Route 66 in Amarillo, Texas. There are many reasons to stop here for a meal, but its Texas-size challenge is surely the wildest and most entertaining. It presents the question:

Can you eat a shrimp cocktail, a baked potato, a salad, a buttered roll and—drumroll—a 72-ounce steak in one hour?

The 72-ounce steak challenge, as it’s called, has been bringing diners in since 1962, when the challenge was first held. That was in its first location, along official Route 66; though its current spot on Interstate Highway 40 follows roughly the original highway’s path. 

Kansan R.J. Lee recognized back in the middle of the last century that other people shared his enthusiasm for the storied culture of cowboys and ranchers, so when he opened his restaurant, he reserved a big table in the center for them. This way, visitors to the area could experience big steaks amid an authentically big Texas scene. 

Legend holds that in 1962, one hostler ate the equivalent of 72 ounces of steak and claimed he was still hungry, so he was served a baked potato, shrimp cocktail, salad, and a bread roll. Anyone who could do the same within one hour could get their dinner free. The opportunity spread through newspaper headlines and word of mouth and business boomed. 

That boom halted in 1968 when I-40 replaced Route 66 as the major artery through the area. Suddenly patrons disappeared, and Lee, now with eight children and no bank loan, rebuilt the Big Texan on I-40 with scrap wood and reclaimed materials. It again became a success, despite a fire in the 1970s that destroyed part of the building. When it was rebuilt, the restaurant was grander than ever, with two-story seating for 480 guests, a gift shop, an arcade and a stage where the 72-ounce challengers chowed down. 

Two of Lee’s sons took on the business in the 1990s. The restaurant continues to be popular today, as one of the sons has noted: Cowboys don’t go out of style. 

Indeed, the traditions and the challenge continue. The menu features 15 different steak cuts (not counting the Little Texan sirloin on the kids’ menu), and a variety of non-steak items including fried pickles, chicken and waffles, and other Texas specialities.

One of the restaurant’s servers noted in 2025 that the restaurant has about 10 to 15 challengers a day with one to two winners a week. More than 10,000 people have won the challenge out of about 100,000 that have given it a go. 

The only question now is: Will you be next?

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/big-texan-steak-ranch-brewery

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/schooner-fame-of-salem

When people think of Salem, the most famous sights are without a doubt related to the Witch Trials of 1692 and the city is especially popular and busy during the Halloween season. However, there is much more to Salem beyond the spooky or supernatural. The waterfront is equally historic, and the replica of the Schooner Fame is a testament to the city’s rich maritime history. 

When the French Revolution broke out in 1789 and with much of Europe being dragged into war against France in the following years, the newly created United States found itself in a very precarious position. Support their French allies who played such a crucial role in helping secure American independence at the risk of starting another war with Great Britain or remain neutral praying for peace and a hopeful outcome. President George Washington chose neutrality and with the signing of the Jay Treaty in 1794, peace and commerce between the US and Britain would be maintained for 10 years. However, with the expiration of the treaty and the Monroe–Pinkney Treaty of 1806 designed to continue the peace being rejected by President Thomas Jefferson, the future between the two countries seemed increasingly uncertain.

By 1810, things were approaching a breaking point with numerous naval incidents such as skirmishes and impressment of American sailors resulting in violence, embargos being passed, and continued expansion westward convincing Native American tribes the only way to prevent American encroachment was forming alliances with the British. Conflict finally began when Congress formally declared war and President James Madison signed the measure into law in June 1812. 

With war breaking out, the mariners and sailors of Salem had limited options on how to preserve their careers and livelihoods. They could either continue trading as usual, but risk being captured or sunk by enemy vessels, become privateers on behalf of the US government, or simply wait on the sidelines with no income and hope the conflict will end quickly. For many, privateering was the only practical solution and 25 men in Salem gathered resources and funds to purchase a ship so they could become privateers. They bought a small schooner originally designed for fishing named Fame which was built by Captain Epes Davis of Annisquam. The crew outfitted Fame with cannons and chose William Webb as their captain. Once they received their privateering commissions, they sail for British Canada in July 1812 as the first American privateer vessel. 

Their plan was to sail along the Maine coast and with New England being close to the Canadian border, it didn’t take long for Fame to spot British vessels. Off Grand Manan Island in the Bay of Fundy, Fame captured the English ship Concord and the Scottish brig Elbe without firing a shot becoming the first American privateer ship to make a capture. Fame returned to Salem on July 9th, just eight days after setting sail and brought back a lucrative cargo of shipping supplies including masts, spars, staves, and tar. It was deemed legitimate cargo and auctioned off for around $7,000, an incredibly large sum at the time.

Throughout the rest of the war, Fame would make 12 cruises and capture 20 ships with many different captains and crew members. In 1814, Fame was wrecked in the Bay of Fundy, and its crew taken prisoners but returned to the US once the war ended a year later. 

Construction for the replica of Fame began in 2002 and first set sail with passengers in July 2003. Today, it offers various cruises around Salem Sound, and it’s an absolute delight. Not only can you see and feel the history on board, but passengers also have the opportunity to assist the crew working the sails, steering the ship, purchase snacks and refreshments, and lastly witness one of the small cannons being fired before reentering the harbor.

There are many cruises and ferries across Massachusetts, but nothing quite like the Fame. An absolute must visit if you have an interest in the history of the War of 1812, enjoy sailing on the ocean, and would like to have a unique experience most visitors to Salem may not be aware of. Happy and smooth sailing! 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/schooner-fame-of-salem