Just north of Lone Pine, along U.S. 395, in the unforgiving rain shadow desert of the Eastern Sierras, sits Manzanar National Historic Site. From 1942 through the end of World War II in 1945, Manzanar served as an internment camp for people of Japanese descent, forcibly removed from their homes along the West Coast. Today, the site is preserved as a reminder of this painful part of American history and the hope and perseverance of those who endured.
The Rijksmuseum is a world-famous national museum devoted to the art and culture of the Netherlands. Over 8000 objects are on display in the museum, with more than 2000 paintings from the Dutch Golden Age, with works from famed Dutch masters such as Johannes Vermeer, Rembrandt van Rijn, and Jan Steen. On our full day in Amsterdam, we headed to the Rijksmuseum to get some culture and appreciate Dutch art and history.
On a cloudy Tuesday near the sea, with seagulls squawking overhead, we headed to the National Monument Oranjehotel, Scheveningen's prison. About 25000 people were detained here during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands. In this museum, the cells and artifacts tell stories of despair and pain, hope and perseverance. Trigger warning: This article discusses World War II history, which includes mentions of death, torture, and violence. I also discuss Hitler’s rise to power and the formation of a one-party state through legal means.
On our summer 2025 trip to London, we once again visited the British Museum. Spanning nearly the breadth of human history, the museum houses over 2 million artifacts- including some that involve controversy. This post contains updated photos, along with a brief synopsis of the controversy associated with the Parthenon sculptures.
On a short spring break trip to Paris, France, the Cranky Camper and Co visit some of the city's most famous and historic sights.
The Cranky Camper 