YOUR WEEKLY ESCAPE: What do the world's happiest places have in common?

Plus: Amazing photos of a 99-million-year-old bird, people who live in ancient caves, and pampered cats [THE SEARCH FOR LIFE BEYOND EARTH]( [VIEW ONLINE]( [SEARCHING FOR E.T.]( [National Geographic]( Your Weekly Escape Extraordinary people, discoveries, and places in a time of turmoil Take a deep breath. In this crazy time, there are still amazing tales of purpose and dedication, exploration that leads to discovery and understanding, and a natural world that often astounds us. Here are a few of those stories: PHOTOGRAPH BY MING BAI, CHINESE ACADEMY OF SCIENCES [You're looking at a 99-million-year-old bird]( The remarkable hatchling, fossilized in a three-inch piece of amber, lived among dinosaurs during the Cretaceous Period. It was the most complete specimen of its kind ever found—scientists could even make out the colors of its feathers. [SEE MORE PHOTOS]( SHARE [F]( [T]( PHOTOGRAPH BY CORY RICHARDS [What we can learn from the world's happiest places]( Their people feel secure, have a sense of purpose, and enjoy lives that minimize stress and maximize joy. Here’s how they do it. [SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE]( SHARE [F]( [T]( PHOTOGRAPH BY ERIC GUTH [See eerie ice caves carved from the fiery breath of a volcano]( After the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens, a glacier formed in the shadows inside the crater. Scientists—and our photographer—have explored its icy depths. [DIVE IN!]( SHARE [F]( [T]( PHOTOGRAPH BY GERHARD HÜDEPOHL, ESO [Life probably exists beyond Earth. So how do we find it?]( With next-generation telescopes, tiny space probes, and more, scientists aim to search for life beyond our solar system—and make contact. [SUBSCRIBER EXCLUSIVE]( SHARE [F]( [T]( [QUOTE] So the question of independence May be a lifelong staggering trip If life is fluid, while others flow I’m happy to drip, drip, drip. Tito Rajarshi Mukhopadhyay Poet; author of "[How Can I Talk If My Lips Don’t Move]( from "[Outside the Lines]( PHOTOGRAPH BY TAMARA MERINO [Thousands of people call these ancient Spanish caves home]( They've served as a sanctuary from wild storms, predatory animals, and religious and racial persecution. Now, they are home to communities who have eschewed modern life for the peaceful solitude of the mountains. [TAKE A PEEK]( SHARE [F]( [T]( PHOTOGRAPH BY DIANE COOK AND LEN JENSHEL [How even thinking about distant travel, even now, helps us]( Looking ahead to your next adventure could benefit your mental health. Even if you’re not sure when that adventure will be. [READ ON]( SHARE [F]( [T]( PHOTOGRAPH BY WILLARD CULVER, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION [Vintage photos of pampered cats]( These aren't just photos of cute cats. Published in 1938 in National Geographic magazine, these images were also groundbreaking for their use of synchronized photoflash. [SEE THE PHOTOS]( SHARE [F]( [T]( Need a distraction? [DRAW: Anyone can do it. Learn how in 6 easy steps (NYT)]( ›› [WATCH: Thanks to the lockdown, these turtles are crossing a beach in the daytime (Reuters)]( ›› This newsletter was edited and curated by Janey Adams and David Beard. [Sign up here]( to receive Your Weekly Escape and/or our daily newsletters—covering History, Travel, Science, Animals, and Photography news. See you next week. Blue skies, green lights! [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [READ OUR LATEST STORIES]( [SHOP]( [DONATE]( [SUBSCRIBE]( [TRAVEL]( [FB]( [Twitter]( [IG]( Clicking on the Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply. This email was sent to: {EMAIL}. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored. This email contains an advertisement from: National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036 You are receiving this email because you elected to receive marketing communications from National Geographic under the terms of our [Privacy Policy]( [Manage all types of email preferences]( with National Geographic Partners. [Unsubscribe]( this type of email. If you reside in the EU/European Economic Area and wish to exercise all other data subject rights, [click here.]( © 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.