Understanding space and distance is a big part of geography education. Here’s a fun exercise to do with your kids.
Public Domain: author seamus mcgill
- Pick 2 destinations in the USA (preferably far from each other)
- Key West, Florida and Seattle, Washington
- Figure out the distance in miles between the 2 cities. (You can get directions on Mapquest which give you mileage)
- Distance between Key west and Seattle is 3470 miles!
- Figure out how long it would take to drive that distance.
- Key West to Seattle would be 53 hours of driving! That would be 5 full days of driving!
- Figure out how long it would take to walk that far.
- Average human walking speed is about 3 MPH. That means it would take 1157 hours for a healthy adult to walk from Key West to Seattle. At 10 hours per day, that means it would take a person 116 days, or about 4 months to walk that far.
- Compare the distance of your 2 cities with other cities.
- Key West to Portland, Maine is about 1900 miles.
If you really want to get an education, figure out the bus or train route, complete with all the transfers to get from 1 place to the other, And if you have access to GIS software (Geography Information Systems), you’ve gotta check it out. There’s so much you can do, and it is incredible!
What will you do to be more aware of the world?
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- Take a trip to Bora Bora?
- Research the ice floes in the Arctic Circle?
- Learn about the Yanomamo Indians of Brazil?
- Study the temperatures in Death Valley over the past 50 years?
- Figure out how many languages are spoken in the USA?
- Determine the distance between Key West and Anchorage?
- Learn what exactly a cartographer does?
- Plan your next vacation to a far away land?
- Cook using a new recipe you’ve never tried before from a foreign country?
- Identify all the species of butterflies in Costa Rica?
- Learn where all of America’s National Parks are located?
- Compare the US dollar to other currencies around the globe?
- Celebrate the fact that geography is fascinating?
My aunt and I took a walk along Hallanadale Beach this morning. The temperature was perfect, and it was high tide.
The sun trying to make its way through the clouds
Who wouldn’t want to ride these waves?
Always look down when you’re walking on the sand
Bird feet pattern- natures perfect art
Aunty Norma
Baby sandpiper runs in and out of the water
We’re not the only ones who enjoy the sand
You simply can’t be stressed out here
Picture postcard perfect
Look what I found!
We had a perfect day off today, paddling down Whiskey Creek in Dania Beach, FL in our inflatable boat. This narrow waterway, lined with mangroves, is just west of the beach and east of the Intracoastal. We did not paddle far enough north to see manatees, but we saw plenty of fast-swimming fish and beautiful birds. The serenity you get from the water is unparalleled, especially when your husband tells you to stop paddling and chill out for while.
Expedition photo
I’ve gotta have one too
Getting ready to inflate the boat
Almost done
Graceful Egret
Mangroves
Open water down river
Incredible pelican formation (50 birds!)
Kingfisher perching
Final relaxation
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- Thank a veteran you know for his or her service.
- Think about what Veteran’s Day means.
- Watch the Arlington National Veteran’s Day Ceremony on TV.
- Adopt a US soldier and write him/her letters.
- Make a donation to have a care package sent to a soldier.
- Watch a classic military movie.
- Read a book.
- Visit a museum.
- Talk to your kids about freedom.
- Put up your flag outside.
- Plan a picnic outside, weather permitting.
- Plan your Thanksgiving dinner menu.
- Make a paper bag turkey for your Thanksgiving table.
- Take a long walk or a hike by yourself, with your family or a friend or a dog.
- Go to a yard sale (or have your own)
- Pamper yourself. (massage, facial, steam room, yoga class, etc.)
- Cook a really great dinner for your family.
- Enjoy a hobby you haven’t had time for lately.
- Take a nap.
- Be grateful.
Here’smMine with 3 different levels of light….
My entire family will be at the Las Olas Art Festival on Saturday, October 23rd performing and selling books. Please stop and say hi! We will be sitting at a table right outside Flora Ottimer’s store at 713 East Las Olas Blvd. starting at 10 am.
32 years ago, I worked at Flora Ottimer, a beautiful children’s clothing store. They have been in business since 1945! Once you see this charming store, you’ll understand why. There’s no better place in South Florida to buy clothing for kids. I am returning to my favorite children’s clothing store after all these years to share my book with their loyal customers. To read my interview with the Flora Ottimer staff, click on the link below.
Click here to read the Flora Ottimer Interview and view a photo of me from 32 years ago!
We’ll see you there!
22nd Wedding Anniversary Celebration
Dinner outside by the fire pit, followed by a game of Scrabble. Perfect Weather!
Yellow and Green Market, Hollywood, FL
Checked out the new market near our house and brought home some organic veggies. Check out the 50 lb. bag of carrots!
Planted my tomato, pea and eggplant seedlings in pots
Cleaned out and reorganized master bedroom closets
7 giant Hefty bags of clothing are ready to be donated!
It’s been 23 days since we left our daughter at college, but who’s counting? Since that time, I have been extremely productive. I suppose that has to do, in part, with the desire to keep super busy so as not to be sad that we have an empty nest. (That’s not entirely true, because we have our beloved, 4-legged son, Darwin.) Here’s what I’ve been up to:
Streamlined and reorganized
- Acupuncture – I have had 4 treatments in an effort to cure my painful plantar faciitis and perhaps improve my chronic allergies. No improvement on the foot yet, but I am sneezing a slight bit less. I and am more relaxed and am sleeping a heck of a lot better.
- Grains – I’ve cut way back on gluten in an effort to improve acid reflux. It’s actually helping. I’ve replaced regular pasta with Quinoa, and it’s not that bad! If you have acid reflux and cannot figure out what is causing it, try giving up gluten.
- Gardening – I’m well on my way to my organic S. FL winter veggie garden, with some new varieties of tomatoes and other new veggies I’ve never grown before.
- Decorating – I’ve completely redone the master bedroom. It is so clean and fresh and uplifting now.
- Purging – I promised I was going to get rid of a lot of “stuff” in the house, and I am keeping my promise. I have cleaned out and reorganized a huge armoire and trunk. There’s a lot more to do, but getting started feels great! I ain’t stoppin’ until every room has been cleaned out from top to bottom! There’s a anti-clutter bug you get when your kids move out of the house. I’m living proof!
