News
Glory & Gratitude in Shenandoah National Park (by Mike Baker)
"The Shenandoah you see today is a complex mixture of human history and natural forces–the result of the life and times of the nation that owns it," reads a display at The Byrd Visitor Center in Shenandoah National Park. When one visits Shenandoah National Park, experiences its beauty, and learns how it came to be, it's hard not to be deeply grateful for such a place. The park's solitude and serenity, existing in such close proximity to our nation's capitol, did not happen by accident. Shenandoah as we know it today is the result of men and women who sacrificed their time,...
Best of the 'Fest in Munich (by Mike Baker)
The fall is a special time for those who enjoy the fruits of the harvest, and the celebration of the harvest of barley and hops reaches its full expression in Bavaria’s Oktoberfest, which is held in Munich in late September and early October each year. Originating from a wedding celebration in 1810, the festival has become synonymous with Bavaria’s culture, which holds to several traditions still celebrated today in the form of dress, food, flag, and of course – beer! The ubiquitous garb of lederhosen & dirndl can be seen on most Bavarian streets from Munich to Schwangau and Schliersee...
A Salty September in Hallstatt (by Mike Baker)
September is a perfect time to visit Europe. School-age children are back at their books, the number of summer tour buses has dwindled, and the high season for European vacations has officially ended. Featuring serenity, salt, Celts, and cattle, Hallstatt is one of Europe's most charming and historically significant villages. What was once an important hub town for salt production is now a picturesque Alpine getaway and a premier destination for European archaeologists. Hallstatt's salty sediment has preserved a vast collection of artifacts from the Iron Age (about 2,800 years ago), causing this waterfront beauty to be named a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1997. Hallstatt is a perfect model of an Alpine...
Q&A With an ADG Superfan
One of our favorite things about our work is receiving feedback from customers and fans. Whether it's kind words or pictures of our artwork on their walls, we are always blown away by their support and creativity. Recently, one of our faithful customers JP Gisclair sent us a photo of his wall—completely covered in our designs from our National Parks, American Travel, and World Travel collections. We were so impressed with JP's Wall of Adventure that we did an interview with him to find out more about what inspired his epic idea and how he pulled it off. What inspired you...
Exploring the Volcanic National Parks (by Mike Baker)
August marks the 102nd anniversary of three of our “hottest” parks: Haleakala National Park, Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, and Lassen Volcanic National Park. Though both Haleakala and Hawai’i Volcanoes were established as their own separate parks in 1960 and 1961, their geologic magnificence led Congress (with the influence of Congressmen and their wives having dinner cooked over steam vents years before) to create Hawaii National Park in 1916, which included both volcanoes. Maui’s Haleakala is a dormant volcano that last erupted in 1790. Northern California’s Lassen Peak is an active volcano that most famously erupted in 1915. Hawaii’s (or The...