This Weekly Escape explores a secret U.S. Cold War missile base under Greenland, examines the invasive pest tormenting Florida’s manatees, skips the meat in a high-protein diet ... and discovers what makes these animals ‘ultrablack.’ Plus, what do you know about
The Year of the Snake?

PHOTOGRAPH BY W. ROBERT MOORE, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION 

Now we know: The U.S. built a sprawling covert Cold War town under a Greenland glacier. Its secrets—and the extent of America’s ambition in the frozen north--were unknown for decades even to Greenland’s Danish government. They are now being revealed.

See: Step inside the nuclear-powered city the U.S. hid deep inside a glacier

Related: The U.S. has tried to buy Greenland before. Here’s what happened.

PHOTOGRAPH BY NICHOLAS CONZONE

Related: Inside a real bug’s life in love—and murder 

PHOTOGRAPH BY DAVID DUPREY/AP  

Test your knowledge: It’s prime ski season in a chunk of America. Which U.S. state has the most ski resorts? 

A. Colorado
B. Maine
C. New York
D. Utah 

Today’s Soundtrack: La Luna de Rasquí, Jorge Drexler

Today’s newsletter was edited and curated by David Beard and produced by Alisher Egamov. Thanks for reading! Have a suggestion for us? Let us know!