I've just returned from the most fascinating trip around the world that I've ever taken!  My Better Half was in the U.S. Army for a few years, so we traveled a little around northern Europe and the UK when he was stationed in Germany.  That made me think I was "worldly" and knew about other places.  But not much has thrilled me as much as seeing the places I saw tonight in a few hours!

My son found a site that I'd heard him talk about, but I hadn't taken the time to view with him.  It's a 3-dimensional view of the world.  Just pick the spot you want to visit. Finally did and BOY! what a trip.  These are satellite images that get more or less clear enough to tell which house is yours on your street (the more rural your location, the less clear the images; city locations are pretty clear).  Go to www.GoogleEarth.com and download the file.  It will take a few minutes and you will need quite a bit of room on your computer.  But if you have the space and the time, take the trip.  YOU WON'T REGRET IT!

First, look up your own house.  All trips should be started from your own front door.  Go by your local schools on your way to the nearest large airport where you begin your trip.  Even airports are fascinating from the air!  We viewed Buckingham Palace, near Trafalgar Square and Nelson's Column.  But almost missed Scotland Yard and #10 Downing Street nearby.  Then plug in "Shakespeare's Birthplace" and you are whisked, virtually, across the countryside to Stratford upon Avon.  I didn't get to Scotland or Ireland or Wales tonight, but I'll be visiting them soon!

Next, check out Red Square in Moscow and The Great Wall of China.  When you can't find these places, either get out your Atlas or look them up on http://www.atlapedia.com.  Those are great references.  If you input the right characteristics that you'd like to see, you can see the crevices in the bottom of the Atlantic as you cross back to see New York City.  Even Ground Zero is there on Manhattan Island.  And Central Park.  And Kennedy International Airport.  And St. Vincent's Hospital that my son does billing for, part time, after school.  And, and, and...

A couple of years ago I was invited to present a Five Finger Paragraph workshop to 75 teachers at a Title I Dissemination Project Conference in Hyannis, MA.  Took my son along to use as a guinea pig for the teachers.  When we weren't presenting, we traveled around the area, spectulating where the Kennedy Compound might be located.  We were turned around at the entrance.  But I saw the entire compound from the air tonight, so I finally got my visit!

The Grand Canyon is just that -- Grand!!  And Disney World from an aerial or 3-D view is almost as fascinating as being there.  Check out New Orleans, before it was almost washed away.  Bourbon Street is still there.  These are pictures from a Spring time period in the recent past, 'cause the dogwood tree was in bloom in the picture of our house!

On our next trip, I think we'll visit the Andes, New Zealand, and Taiwan, on our way back to Wales!  This is one of the most educational resources I've come across in years.  Not only was it entertaining, but the navigational skills learned and the sense of direction gained (and history and demographics through Atlapedia) are well worth the time and hard drive space it will cost you to take the trip!  Have fun while you learn!