Juneau, Alaska

Postcard US-4015824 to France shows an illustration of steps of all sizes, shapes, and colors weaving between hillside houses in Juneau, the capital of Alaska. Located on the Gastineau Channel in the Alaskan panhandle, it is the second largest city in the United States by area, larger by area than both Rhode Island and Delaware.

There are no roads connecting Juneau to the rest of Alaska or to the rest of North America due to the extremely rugged terrain surrounding the city, although automobiles can reach the city by ferry service. Planes and boats are more important transportation methods than cars.

Wuhan by Ferry

Postcard CN-1520549 from China shows people taking ferries to cross the Yangtze River in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China. Wuhan (武汉), the capital of Hubei province and the most populous city in Central China, is located at the intersection of the middle reaches of the Yangtze and Han rivers, consisting of the conglomeration of three cities, Wuchang, Hankou, and Hanyang.

Those three cities face each other across the rivers and are now linked by bridges, including one of the first modern bridges in China. Ferries were the only transportation to cross the rivers before the Wuhan Yangtze Great Bridge opened in 1957. Even after the Metro Line 2, the first Metro line crossing through Yangtze River, opened on December 28, 2012, ferries remain a best choice for going directly across the Yangtze River since it's inexpensive and quick, and you can take your bicycle to the ferry for a nominal fee.

In addition, it's a scenic ride to see the rivers and skylines of the three cities. Many ferry terminals for the more than dozen ferry lines are located by the Snake Hill in Wuchang where the Yellow Crane Tower (黄鹤楼), a historic tower first built in 223 A.D., overlooking the Yangtze River.

1934 Hudson at Palazzo

Outgoing postcard US-2886230 to Russia shows a 1934 Hudson, covered in succulents, lichen, moss, grapevine, and thousands other plants, at the Palazzo Hotel's Waterfall Atrium and Gardens as part of its fall display from September to November 10, 2013. The car symbolizes Venetian and Palazzo's efforts to promote alternative transportation program that rewards commuters for carpooling, biking, or taking public transportation to get to and from work. They offer a valet bicycle parking service with secure bike racks, and provide preferred parking spaces for hybrids, alternative fuel vehicles, and carpools in both garages. Other parts of the display include items representing Renewable Energy; Sustainable Food, Composting & Recycling; and Water Conservation.

Wuppertal Suspension Railway

Wuppertaler Schwebebahn

Postcard DE-2357046 came from Germany as a self-made photo card. It shows the Wuppertal Suspension Railway, a unique suspension railway in Wuppertal, Germany. It is the oldest electric elevated railway with hanging cars that was built in between 1897 and 1903 with the first track opened in 1901.

The railway is still used as a local public transportation system. The route runs 13.3 km or 8.3 mi; the tracks are elevated at a height of about 12 m or 39 ft over the river and about 8 m or 26 ft over the ground. The entire trip takes about 30 minutes.