Some highlights of the show, for me, included a drive in the Volvo C30 electric, a ride from the airport in the Chevy Volt, a chance to see the Nissan Leaf on the brink of introduction, ambitious startups from Coda, Wheego and AMP Electric Vehicles, and a lot more.

FORBES: Hyundai, Mitsubishi, Nissan Electric Cars At LA Auto Show

One of those surprises came during a visit to Eglin Air Force Base on the Florida panhandle, where he went to see the old-growth long-leaf pine forest.

CNN: Trekking 5,000 miles to connect man and wildlife

"This technology should provide an opportunity to see parts of the field even down to the leaf level, " said Phil Hamm, director of the Hermiston Agricultural Research and Extension Center at Oregon State University.

WSJ: Farmers Experiment With Drones

Pick up some milky sweets or eat a nice, hot curry off a banana leaf, and see some stunning examples of Tamil temple architecture at the Sri Mariamman Temple, whose four walls enclose both the holy space of worship and, to the faithful, the universe entire.

BBC: Penang: Malaysia in miniature