On the Oregon coast there is a natural hole that seems to be draining the sea.

A bizarre house filled with an astounding array of collections.

A collision of human error and natural geothermal pressure created this rainbow-colored geologic wonder.

An exquisite tunnel of cascading flowers.

A toxic ghost town sitting atop a massive coal fire.

An Italian crevasse filled with abandoned buildings gives visitors a look at the world without humans.

Rippling sand dunes frozen in the Arizona rock.

The rocks in this arid basin leave trails of movement behind them.

An emerald-green grotto just a short trip from Austin.

This astonishingly geometric cave has inspired everyone from Jules Verne to Pink Floyd.

On Japan's Tashirojima Island, cats are king.

A local prank turned town icon.

This industrial area was the dumping ground for massive amounts of trash, some of which washes up as tiny bits of sea glass.

Scattered around Atlanta are little doors with big charm.

Philadelphia boasts one of the best — and most often overlooked — traditional Japanese gardens in North America.

The oldest trees in Northern Germany.

These 18th century gardens tell a rocky story of the son of Odysseus.

The thousands of shades on display — some toxic, others impossibly rare — are a library of more than just color.

A 90-year-old underground water reservoir offers a more industrial kind of tranquility.

These pools have been abandoned for over 20 years.

This shop and studio is dedicated to the art of the book, from letterpress to bookbinding.

An icy lake tucked among jaw-dropping alpine panoramas.

A colorful architectural gem in Seattle's uniquely modern Central Library.

A communal oasis on Lake Zurich.