Potholes are emerging. Traditionally potholes develop in later winter / early spring when nighttime temperatures are below freezing and daytime temperatures are above freezing. The temperature cycle results in several freezing-thawing that causes potholes.
So our mild winter is like spring, and we can look forward to an extended pothole presence. In 2019, the City of Toronto fixed a record 110,595 potholes in time for spring. The "Pothole Promise" is that the City will repair potholes in four days from the date they are reported on the busiest roads.
There are large potholes in the landscape. I found a picture of a large pothole at Foster's Flats in the Niagara Glen. "This Pothole was formed in the ancient Niagara River Bed, now Wintergreen Flats. Later the rock layers around it were undercut causing it to fall to the terrace below." The most famous is the Devils arch.
Claims of the largest glacial Pothole comes from Eynon, PA - found by miners in 1884. It is located in the Archbald Pothole State Park. It is 38 feet 11.6 m) and 42 feet (12.8m) wide. Right near WilkesBarre are the Seven Tubs - a series of potholes.
Back to roads, I went looking for the largest potholes ever. Britain' Guardian led the headlines with a pothole so large that the council road repair van became stuck in it. It was 10 feet long. Then there's Detroit's claim of Pothole patrol: We find the biggest and deepest. They sent junior journalists out to find and measure the biggest.
A novel approach to potholes comes from Russia a few years ago with Russian activists painting mocking caricatures of local officials over gaping potholes. Here's the link HERE. They call it "road shaming".
Our pretty picture comes from my workshop a few years ago, learning to do macros of water drops.
Somehow I cam upon this remarkable artist yesterday. It's a good thing as a few ideas were on my mind for today's topic and I might have forgotten this. It is too good to miss.
This is Jim Bachor and here is the story:
"Around 17 years ago I learned the ancient art of the mosaic in Ravenna, Italy. The permanence of the art form is what drew me in first. Marble and glass do not fade. Mortar is mortar. An ancient mosaic looks exactly as intended by the artist who produced it over two millennia ago. What else can claim that kind of staying power? I find this idea simply amazing. Since my experience in Italy, I've devoted myself to changing people's perception of what a mosaic could be. Using the same materials, tools, and methods of the archaic craftsmen, I create mosaics that speak of modern things in an ancient voice. From junk food to coffee to breakfast cereal, my work permanently locks into mortar unexpected concepts drawn from the present." That was on a funding site named kickstarter.
He was asking for funding on kickstarter as all his work was installed - in potholes. He has subsequently started producing pieces that can be taken home. What a lot of shows and awards. There are lots of ice creamcicle/popsicles, dead rats, Trump, crumpled candy wrappers, roses. And then a number of 'This is not a pothole anymore.' He says that's probably his most popular piece.
A story like this is wonderful - full of creativity, fun, engagement and activism. YThere are some images off the pothole art after much driving. It appears that one has been 'repaired' with asphalt as it disintegrates into a pothole again.
More pictures from the National Gallery. I waited until there were some people above me so that I could some pictures of them in the water reflections. It was a slow day, so this group was it. Waves make the human form so intriguing.
