Travel

At Frank Lloyd Wright's home, a lab for world-class architecture

OAK PARK, Ill. -- Before Frank Lloyd Wright became the most famous architect in the world, he was a struggling employee who had to borrow money from his boss to build his own house.

That house, and the adjoining professional studio, make up the Frank Lloyd Wright Home and Studio in this posh suburb of Chicago. I got a chance for a behind-the-scenes tour Monday as part of Road Trip 2013, and as a Wright fan who has toured other favorites like Taliesin West in Arizona, Fallingwater in Pennsylvania, and the Marin County Civic Center in California, this was a … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 7/2: What is this?

Update (Tuesday, 8:33 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 161 people got right -- is Wrigley Field, home of the Chicago Cubs, in Chicago. Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for tomorrow's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest. This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it using any means at your … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 7/1: What is this?

Update (Monday, 8:10 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 115 people got right -- is the building that houses one of the ventilation shafts for the Holland Tunnel, which runs between New York City and New Jersey. Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for tomorrow's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 6/29: What is this?

Update (Saturday, 11:34 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 164 people got right -- is High Line Park in Manhattan. Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for tomorrow's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it using any means … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 6/28: What is this?

Update (Friday, 9:12 p.m PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 208 people got right -- is the model of Knuffingen Airport in Miniatur Wunderland in Hamburg Germany. Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for tomorrow's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to … Read more

CNET Road Trip 2013: Geek culture in America's heartland

After seven years and tens of thousands of miles, I've had the rare opportunity to explore much of the best of the United States (and some of Europe) during my annual CNET Road Trip.

Since 2006, I've explored the most interesting destinations for technology, the military, architecture, aviation, and much more, in the Pacific Northwest, the Southwest, the Southeast, the Rocky Mountain region, the Northeast, Western Europe, and the West Coast. But that means that the U.S. Midwest has (so far) been ignored.

Until now.

Starting Monday, I'll be on Road Trip 2013, and will be … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 6/27: What is this?

Update (Thursday, 10:20 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 187 people got right -- is "New York," an apartment building designed by Frank Gehry in Manhattan. It was formerly known as Beekman Tower, and is also known as 8 Spruce St. Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for tomorrow's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'… Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 6/26: What is this?

Update (Thursday, 12:11 a.m. PT): The answer to Wednesday's challenge -- which 64 people got right -- is the Hyatt Regency hotel in San Francisco. Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for today's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it using … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 6/25: What is this?

Update (Tuesday, 6:45 p.m. PT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 200 people got right -- is BMW Welt, in Munich, Germany. Thanks to everyone who played, and to all, please come back for tomorrow's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job is to try to correctly identify it using any means … Read more

Road Trip Pic of the Day, 6/24: What is this?

Update (Monday, 7:30 p.m. PDT): The answer to today's challenge -- which 334 people got right -- is Neuschwanstein Castle, above the village of Hohenschwangau near Füssen in southwest Bavaria, Germany Thanks to all who played, and to everyone, please come back for Tuesday's challenge.

Welcome to the Road Trip Picture of the Day contest (and welcome back to returning players). This is your chance to win some cool prizes as you test your skills at recognizing pictures.

Each day, I'll be posting a new photograph from my various travels, and your job … Read more