While there’s no doubt about the fact that the world is locking up their windows and staying home at the moment, that doesn’t mean that we can’t explore the wonders of this planet from our living rooms. It’s now easier than ever to virtually travel the globe, and you can even embrace the blossoming flowers of Spring from the comfort of your couch. This is how you can see the world’s flowers blooming from home.

Japan’s Cherry Blossom

Countless people travel to Japan every Spring to check out the blooming cherry blossom, and it’s a spectacle that cannot be found anywhere else in the world. Thankfully, it’s incredibly easy to take in these incredible sights from your home. One of the best ways to see these blossoms for yourself is to head to the Weather News YouTube channel, where you can search for “Sakura VR” and watch some amazing videos.

California’s Poppies

California is known for its array of poppies, and the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve is famous for being home to some of the most beautiful poppy fields that the world has to offer. While the park is currently closed to visitors, that doesn’t mean that they can’t check out the amazing views. Their live-stream video offers 360-degree views of the park, meaning that you can pretend that you’re standing right in the middle of the blooms.

Holland’s Tulips

When you think of Holland, there’s a high chance that you immediately think of tulips. This country is famous for its tulips, and the fields see millions of visitors every single year. One famous tulip field, Keukenhof, is now offering flower lovers the chance to see these blooms in all of their glory as part of their YouTube channel and their Instagram page.

Although the world is locked up in their homes, it seems as though the natural world is now more open than ever.

The Great American Rail-Trail is an ambitious biking development that is currently in the works. It stretches 3,700 miles from the East Coast to the West Coast. The trail spans across 12 states from Washington, DC to the Pacific Ocean in Seattle, Washington. It’s an idea that has been talked about for 50 years.

A 30-year Journey to Determine the Route

The official route of the Rail-Trail was announced in May of 2019 by the RTC or Rails-to-Trails Conservancy which is a non-profit company in Washington DC that is leading the effort to develop the trail. It connects over 125 existing multi-use paths, trails, greenways, and towpaths. According to the vice president of communications for the RTC, Brandi Horton, the route took 30 years to plan.

Most of the trail is built either on top of or next to abandoned railway lines, which is where the trail gets its name from. The surfaces can range from smooth asphalt to crushed stone. It’s estimated to be completed entirely before 2040. By then, it’s estimated that 1 in 6 Americans will live within a 50-mile radius of the route.

The Rail-Trail Will Connect Past and Present

The Rail-Trail is a way for many communities to come together and reveal how the United States’ past connects to its present. Co-founder of the RTC, David Burwell, mentioned back in 2006 that he wants rail-trail to be America’s Main Street.

When people bike and hike across cities, towns, and most rural landscapes, it gives them a deep understanding of the local communities and their cultures. It also helps reveal some of the little-known histories that have been part of the country’s identity.

The Great American Rail-Trail is predicted to also help revitalize economies in many post-industrial towns across the US. In some parts of DC, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and Illinois, more than 86% of the Rail-Trail route is open, while some western states still have some work to do.