Image retrieved from Pinterest Diego Esparza Esparza
Nov11
Robert Frost
Category Archives: Uncategorized
Sep12
The World of Online Resources!
Sep10
Free Access to Maps
If you are investigating new locations, you might be interested in traveling to, check out Britannica online. They offer a free, interactive map on places (country, city, state, and/or providence) around the world. This resource provides the basic demographic information, including the flag, land area, people, etc., that you might find of interest.
Simply click to begin your search.
Tip: If you have a child, that is still in school, this might be the perfect start to his/her research paper.
Image by Dirkb86. Retrieved from Flickr and used under Creative Commons Licensing. Some rights reserved.
Aug30
Bon Voyage!
Wikivoyage Logo
Wikipedia is adding “Wikivoyage” to their long list of free services. Following the traditional platform input is gathered from the audience which means it can be edited by all. I think of it as a public travel blog. Check out what another fellow blogger Jon Mitchell has said about this Wikivoyage in a recent post.
Aug7
Interpretive Writing Workshop Opportunity
The Art of Interpretive Writing
Image provided by Alan Leftridge. Some rights reserved.
Minnesota Valley National Wildlife Refuge
3815 American Blvd East
Bloomington, Minnesota
Saturday, September 14, 2013
9 am to 4:30 pm
Write compelling interpretive messages! This workshop offers you the basics of interpretive writing that apply to signage, exhibit labels, brochures, websites, public service announcements, books, and magazines. You will understand how to create clear, dynamic, and concise interpretive texts, reveal meanings, and ways to excite visitors about your site, whether it is a museum, park, zoo, nature center, or aquarium.
Topics include: The Interpretive Writing Process · Concept Mapping · Universal Concepts · The Five Elements of Interpretive Writing · Meeting Your Audience’s Needs · Concise Wording · Keeping Your Reader’s Attention · The Importance of Fluency · Redundant Wording · Understanding Readability Indexes · Using a Human Interest Scale ·Capturing Your Reader’s Attention · What to Avoid · Connecting with a Narrative · The Editing Process · Evaluation
The fee is $295 and includes instruction, refreshments, handouts, and a copy of the Interpretive Writing textbook.
Contact Alan Leftridge, leftridge@blackfoot.net, 406.754.2940 to register.
Alan Leftridge, Ph.D., is the author of Interpretive Writing, and specializes in interpretive
training seminars across North America. Access leftridge.com for additional information.
Aug6
World Conference!
Nature. Image by Moyan Brenn. Retrieved from FlickR. Used under Creative Commons Licensing.
Ecotourism is considered an alternative form of tourism for travelers. These destinations provide an educational component, capture a larger portion of revenue locally, and strive to minimize the impact generated by the tourists/tourism. Often the main focus is on the natural environment and indigenous peoples and/or cultures.
To learn more about ecotourism you can visit the International Ecotourism Society.
If you are interested in attended the 2013 World Conference this September, click here for details.
Jul30
Road Trip Tip!
Image by Road Trippers.com. Some rights reserved.
Looking for a travel tool to help you plan your next trip?
Road Trippers is a free online travel planning site. It links you to published travel guides, popular destinations across the United States and related blogs.
You can cruise through this site by using the navigation panel on the left. To help narrow your search, click on the types of places/attractions (sports, entertainment, nature, etc.) you would prefer to visit. The map of the U.S. will tag possible locations using color coded dots for each category you select.
Click here to begin your search with RoadTrippers.com
Jul29
School Tour!
Sauk Centre, MN. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.
This past weekend I stumble upon an open house tour of a beautifully staged one-room schoolhouse.
These historic buildings are a piece of American history, signifying early settlements in rural communities across the United States. Before the construction of a more modern school building and the convenience of being driven to school in large orange buses. Children would walk or ride horse (sleigh and buggy) to a small schoolhouse that consisted of a singular room where multiple grades were taught by one teacher.
Many of these structures have been lost over the last century; burned, left to decay, torn down, salvaged for parts and even re-purposed as single family homes. However, some have been saved for special events, school field trips, history day classes and community museums-open to the public like the one my son and I visited in Sauk Centre, MN. We would like to thank the kind retired school teacher who talked about her years as a teacher and shared her story with us.
If you are interested in learning more about these iconic structures, the One-Room Schoolhouse Center website was created in 1998 and provides a host of information about early education in the United States. Tip: Click on the “Villages/Museum” link to find a site near you.
Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.
Shoolhouse Interior. Image by RCompass all rights reserved.
Jul27
A Vintage Travel Accessory
Image by RCompass. All rights reserved.
Surprise Find: Part of the fun is searching for a travel treasure. Encourage your kids to save their allowance or don them with some cash to select a piece that inspires them.
- My son and I found a 1953 View Master (Google it). It came with several reels which we were able to use as impromptu entertainment on the long return trip home.
Jul24
Bucket List Expeditions?
Bucket. Image by mil8. Retrieved from FlickR and used under Creative Commons Licensing.
The phase “bucket list” has become a part of pop-culture. It refers to a list of life-time, desired achievements. Over the last few years, the idea of creating a personal “bucket list” has become a growing trend. And, of course, often travel is at the epicenter. If you are in the process of creating a list, click here to include a Tour(s) of a Lifetime. Complied by National Geographic, it includes a list of 50 of the best guided expeditions in the world.
TIP: For additional ideas, consider perusing the BucketList.org for popular list items or recently completed tasks (upper right corner). If you choose to become a member (at no cost) you can compile, track and share your list with friends, family and other task masters.
RCompass 