Smile Big World

09/06/2026

Prepare to have your mind blown! 🤯 Meet nature's ultimate long-distance champion: a juvenile Bar-tailed Godwit.

This wasn't an experienced adult bird. At just 5 months old, this tiny powerhouse completed an endurance feat that sounds scientifically impossible.

Here are the unbelievable stats of its epic journey:

🌍 The Route: Alaska to Tasmania (Australia) over the open Pacific Ocean.

📏 The Distance: A staggering 8,425 miles (13,558 km).

⏱️ The Time: 11 days straight.

🤯 The Craziest Fact: Zero stops, zero food, and zero water for the entire 11-day flight!

Imagine running for 11 days straight without a single break to eat or drink. This bird's journey is a true testament to the unbelievable power of instinct and biological engineering. 🦅✨

Watch the full story in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KeEB-ASWv0o

08/02/2026

My brother, Jason, worked for CRS in Cameroon but also lived in the DRC. Both were very special places to him with communities who welcomed him. CRS is an amazing organization that helped our family navigate through the tragedy of Jason's death and their work is inspiring!

This World Breastfeeding Week, do one thing to support a breastfeeding mom. 💙

The first 1,000 days of a child's life, from conception through age two, are critical for healthy growth and development. Breastfeeding provides powerful benefits, including essential nutrition, stronger immunity and support for lifelong learning and well-being.

But breastfeeding mothers shouldn't have to do it alone.

Through Catholic Relief Services programs in the Democratic Republic of Congo, mothers shared that the support of family, friends and neighbors made all the difference. A helping hand with household chores, childcare or daily responsibilities gave them the time and confidence to continue breastfeeding.

This year's theme, "Breastfeeding for a Sustainable Start in Life: Strengthen What Works," reminds us that when we support mothers, we strengthen families, communities and the future of every child.

Together, we can help every child get the best possible start in life and reach their God-given potential.

07/26/2026

So cool! We need these everywhere.

California's first wildlife bridge isn't finished, but deer are already using it.

Camera traps recently captured three mule deer crossing a new wildlife bridge in northern California, even though construction crews are still putting the finishing touches on the project.

The crossing spans Route 97 in Siskiyou County and is the first wildlife overpass built across a major highway in California.

The bridge worked almost immediately.

Scientists hope it will help solve a surprisingly deadly problem.

Every year, California drivers kill nearly 50,000 mule deer in vehicle collisions. That's roughly 10% of the state's deer population. Nearly 100 mountain lions are also killed annually on roads, along with thousands of other animals.

Roads don't just cause collisions.

They can also divide wildlife populations into isolated groups, making it harder for animals to find food, migrate, and reproduce. Over time, that fragmentation can reduce genetic diversity and threaten long-term survival.

Wildlife crossings are designed to reconnect those habitats.

The bridges are often covered with soil, rocks, and vegetation so they feel like natural terrain rather than human infrastructure. Fencing helps guide animals toward the crossings and away from dangerous roads.

Researchers have found that wildlife crossings can reduce animal-vehicle collisions by more than 80% when combined with proper fencing.

The fact that deer are already using California's newest crossing is an encouraging sign.

Camera traps have also captured a bobcat exploring the structure.

Scientists see projects like this as more than bridges.

They're ecological connections that allow animals to safely move through landscapes increasingly dominated by roads and development.

California's largest wildlife crossing is still under construction near Los Angeles and is expected to become the world's largest wildlife bridge when it opens.

🎥 Watch the full video and see the incredible details for yourself: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18azvsDMsPU

07/26/2026

Interesting U.S. travel trivia!

Route 50 🚗 The Loneliest Road in America!🇺🇸

It’s the perfect road for an epic cross-country adventure, combining scenic beauty, history, and a touch of mystery!
Here are some interesting facts:

1. Crosses the Entire U.S.: Route 50 stretches more than 3,000 miles from Ocean City, Maryland on the East Coast to Sacramento, California on the West. It’s one of the few highways that gives you a true coast-to-coast experience.

2. “Loneliest Road in America”: The highway earned this title in 1986 when Life Magazine dubbed the stretch through Nevada as such due to its remote, desolate landscapes. Ironically, it became a huge draw for adventure-seekers!

3. Historic Roots: Route 50 follows parts of The Lincoln Highway, America’s first transcontinental road, which was established in 1913. So, you’re literally driving along a piece of history.

4. Diverse Landscapes: Traveling Route 50 takes you through everything from bustling cities like Washington, D.C. and St. Louis, to the endless deserts of Nevada, to the majestic Rocky Mountains in Colorado.

5. Ghost Towns Galore: Especially in Nevada, you’ll pass by several ghost towns, remnants of the Old West’s mining boom, like Austin and Eureka, where time seems to stand still.

6. Highest Point: Route 50 crosses the Eisenhower Tunnel in Colorado, which is one of the highest points on the U.S. highway system at over 11,000 feet above sea level.

7. Mark Twain’s Inspiration: Nevada’s section of Route 50 runs through Virginia City, where Mark Twain began his career as a writer. You can visit his former haunts along the way.

8. Oceans & Mountains: Start your trip at the Atlantic Ocean in Maryland and, if you’re up for it, end near the Pacific Ocean in California—seeing everything in between

🚆 Watch the full video to see how you can cross the U.S. by train — 6,500 miles, 27 states, all for under $1,000. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMlVPn0vA2g

07/26/2026

What a wonderful platform for building bridges across cultures! ♥️🌏

Grateful to everyone who joined yesterday’s two Acquaint Get-togethers! 🧡 From Malawi, Mauritius, Iraq, Vietnam, Poland, China, Argentina, Nigeria, the USA, and many more, it was wonderful to connect across so many cultures.
While Acquaint usually brings people together through one-on-one Global Conversations, our Get-togethers create space for meaningful group discussions in small breakout rooms. Yesterday’s prompts; from treasured belongings to life lessons and comfort foods, led to thoughtful, genuine conversations.
One participant shared it was their first time talking with people from other countries. By the end, the chat was filled with ❤️ and messages of gratitude.
Thank you to everyone who joined from around the world, and to Katherine Mahon, Alex Szebenyi and Yehuda Silverman for helping make it all possible. 🌍✨

07/23/2026

Thousands of mysterious "sky caves" were hand-dug out of the cliffs in Mustang, Nepal, and no one knows exactly why or who made them.

07/23/2026

Tracking a Weather Giant: A 6,000-Mile Atmospheric River Across the Pacific

Our atmosphere is a stunningly powerful and dynamic system. Right now, a colossal atmospheric river is stretching nearly 6,000 miles, from East Asia all the way to the West Coast of North America.

This incredible visualization illustrates the staggering scale and complex physics of this weather event, using key data points that are visually annotated:

Formidable Speed: Winds within the jet stream are exceeding a truly formidable 200+ MPH (320 km/h). This high-speed jet acts like a powerful aerial river, driving vast amounts of moisture across the entire Pacific Ocean.

Unmatched Scale: Spanning over 6,000 miles (9,700 km), its immense length makes it a primary driver of global weather patterns, connecting continents.

Global Impact: This system is not just a passing storm; it's a massive, critical conveyor belt. It directly transports immense amounts of moisture and steers Storm Tracks and Weather Patterns across continents, influencing Temperature and weather shifts on a monumental scale.

The diagram specifically highlights crucial features, from the formation of Cyclones at the Low Pressure Center to the broader concepts like Atmospheric Angular Momentum that govern its movement. This is a humbling reminder of the intricate balance and sheer power that shapes our daily lives from high above.

While these atmospheric rivers can bring vital rain and snow, a system of this immense magnitude is a force to be reckoned with. Keep a close eye on your local weather forecasts!

Watch the full story in the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lu2IJpxKKFQ&t=3s

07/16/2026

🆓 Free online PD alert!
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