Home again

Another journey has ended and it is good to be back in a larger living space for a while. Approximately 3500 miles with a long sprint for home means long days in the car.

We try to include some tech in our trips so we can offer new ideas to teachers. Our tech tool for this trip was Tour Builder. This Google addon allows the creation of a journal map with annotations and images associated with key points along the way. It is a great way to share a trip such as ours, but it has classroom applications in highlighting other journeys - say Lewis and Clark and the Journey of Discovery. The map we created is available if you want to explore.

No stress

I was going to complain about the $30+ tools we had to pay to drive through Pennsylvania and Indiana, but Cindy told me that Amish people have a very low rate of cancers. She pays close attention to whatever she encounters that concerns cancer. She thought it was because their lifestyle emphasizes cooperation and low stress. I guess the poor folks from Pennsylvania and Indiana need my money more than the folks from North Dakota and Minnesota. Why this is the case is not worth getting stressed over.

Lighthouses

Maine is famous for its lighthouses. If you have a rocky coast, you need lighthouses. This was the last day of our time in Maine and while we had viewed several lighthouses none were particularly impressive. I wanted a picture of a lighthouse that was close to the image I have in my head. Maybe, if I had a sea kayak and was brave enough to use it, I might be able to get the picture I want.

We made a side trip to Portland to see "the lighthouse". Not bad.

I think Maine and Minnesota should have a lighthouse content. Minnesota has big water and several impressive lighthouses near Duluth. The Split Rock lighthouse is probably my favorite.

LL Bean

We are in Freeport, ME. We stay in a motel once a week so that I can be assured of good Internet for my online class. I did not know where I was until I mentioned that I was in the home of LL Bean and someone in the class then told me my location.

This part of the county is certainly LL Bean territory. This time of the year there is a certain look about many of the campers. You see few families because kids are in school. You have the hippies. They like tent camping. Then you have the LL Bean crowd. There is a certain look - brand new hiking boots, khaki pants, a green shirt and either a vest or sweater tied around their necks (not worn).

I spent most of the day getting ready for class so Cindy walked to the shopping district. It is true that I had asked for something from LL Bean. She bought khaki pants. She doesn't quite understand the look - correct fabric and color, but not enough pockets like those down the side of the legs. She said that she was looking for something that had a large enough waist and legs that were narrow. I guess that is my look.

Doesn't seem fair

This was supposed to be a National Parks tour on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the parks. We decided to start in Acadia (Maine) and then move to the next closest park. Acadia was really great and we stayed 5 days. 

I should have taken a closer look at the map. We have under a week left and we are not close to another park. Time to move to plan B. We now are going to spend a couple days in the Poconos and then we will head home.

I have a theory based on the history of Acadia. I think the interesting land in the east was purchased by rich folks. They decided to give Acadia to the government to protect it. Many generational, multimillion dollar homes surround the park. Land in the west did not receive the same attention. Just look at the map - my theory seems an obvious conclusion.