Actually we got back about a week ago. We had taken a trip to explore the Cape Cod Area. While there, we took day trips to the many tourist spots in the area and did what tourists do. We drove up the Cape to Provincetown where we sat on the waterfront to eat lunch followed by shopping. The next day we visited Plymouth, toured the Mayflower II and explored Plimoth Plantation. We were fortunate to hook up with my sister-in-law Carol, who lives in the Boston area, and she gave us a first-hand tour of Newport where of course we ate outside at a waterfront cafe. The weather was gorgeous while we were vacationing and on the final beautiful day, we took the ferry to Martha's Vineyard where we ate lunch, took a trolley tour of the island, and shopped, picking up some necessary items at The Black Dog. It was a wonderful trip but that wasn't the best part.
Most people who travel look for hotels with a swimming pool, exercise room, continental breakfast or other such amenities. Not me. My only requirement - high-speed Internet access (preferably wireless). I am 55 years old and didn't grow up with computers. It is only recently that working on my computer has become a hobby. I was fortunate to become a CORE teacher in my district which offered me a new computer, digital video camera, and lots of instruction in the use of computers in the classroom. At first I became interested in creating ever more sophisticated PowerPoint presentations. It was actually my daughter-in-law, Melissa, who taught me to use PowerPoint. The first night after learning this new and exciting skill, I actually took my computer to bed with me. Then one day, I attended a weekly CORE training session and the Director of Information Services for my school district taught me the basics of web page creation. After that session, I took my computer to bed with me almost every night. Recently, I took a class to learn how to create a Virtual Fieldtrip which, of course, occupied much of my time while on vacation.
When we met with my sister-in-law, I told her I was working on a Virtual Fieldtrip. She said, "Why don't you just go there?" She just doesn't understand. Actually, we did go there. After all, the trip I was working on included a visit to Plimoth Plantation.
When we arrived at our hotel my first priority was to check my Internet access. I found that I didn't have a good enough signal and we were "forced" to request a room with better access. That completed, we went out to dinner. Later that night, I began to troll the Internet and collect images, sounds, websites, and movies related to the Pilgrim/Plymouth/Harvest Feast theme. Don't get me wrong. I really did enjoy the touring aspect of our vacation, but I must admit, there were times when I couldn't wait to get back to the room to continue my "Virtual Fieldtrip". My husband, Jim, has become accustomed to my computer excursions. He now knows that I have "Gone On Vacation" and he waits patiently for me to return.
You can take my Virtual Fieldtrip to the "Harvest Feast" at: http://jamestownpublicschools.org/bush/99sriggs/SP1.htm.