Video Editing Practice

I had a chance to see Stonehenge this summer and while the rain didn't stop, it was still a remarkable experience.  Here is a quick little (slightly over a minute) clip.  I will work on a better one when a get a chance.

Oh yeah, for more official information, try here.

Heritage Tourism in Wales

When I travel, I do enjoy seeing archaeological sites when ever possible.  On my current trip I am seeing neolithic sites (5-6 thousand BP) like St Lythans Burial Chamber:

and more recent (1100 AD) like Ogmore Castle:

The Welsh Government has a great site to find these places (and an app too)!

Oh yeah, one last picture of the popular and LARGE Caerphilly Castle.  Spectacular!

Archaeology and Hiking?

I have always had an interest in history.  Fortunately for me I can see historic features on the landscape when I hike.  Most common in New England are the many stone walls.

On my annual survey of National Park Service Appalachian Trail boundary bushwhacking, I get to check out many stone walls and this old foundation.

From old maps, I believe this is the farm of W. Morrison.

Source: Atlas of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, 1904.

I need to research that a bit more, but given the relative location of the foundation, the NPS property lines and topography, it seems logical.

Here is a short video of the details.

Industrial Archaeology

Industrial Archaeology: Protection of Heritage Sites in Parks and Protected Areas

Abstract

Parks and Protected Areas across the globe offer numerous opportunities for tourism.  In the United States, the one-hundred year history of the National Park Service (NPS) is responsible for many of these resources.  Within these parks we find thousands of archaeological and cultural resources.   While the more popular and well known sites are protected, thousands of smaller, lesser known sites are not. The management and protection of these valuable assets is imperative to insure these smaller, yet significant archaeological sites are preserved in our history.  The challenge facing managers is how to do this with limited funds and staffing.  This chapter offers guidelines for the protection of archaeological sites in parks and protected areas using a team of trained volunteer stewards.

Keywords: Industrial Archaeology, Heritage Tourism, Stewardship, Parks and Protected Areas

Manuscript under review.

Kiln number 4 and 5.

Belize 2017

A bunch of our students are travelling in Belize this springbreak, hitting many of the famous ecotourism sites.  After all Belize is probably one of the first ecotourism destinations in the world, up there with Costa Rica, Ecuador, Dominica and even Mexico.   See the early work by Boo.

Boo, E. (1990). Ecotourism: the potentials and pitfalls: country case studies. WWF.

Belize is pretty neat, easy to get around, and has lots of neat places to visit.  Trouble is, like Costa Rica, it is being "loved to death" by American Tourists.

View north from Xunantunich.

Visit Belize soon, before it becomes Florida.

Old and New(er) Vienna

I am fascinated by old stuff. I haven't been to the Pyramids of Egypt but have seen the Mayan Ruins in Belize, the Nuraghe Monuments in Sardinia and these Roman ruins in Vienna.

I think our town, Westfield, Massachusetts is old since it was incorporated in 1669, but that pales in comparison to these really old sites.

Take the time to learn the history of the places you visit. It will make the experience that much more interesting.

Cultural Geography and Recreation

I am always looking for short little videos to show my students and when I can use my own clips, I will do so. But when I did a google search for Recreation Geography and Video clips, I found this one: http://videos.howstuffworks.com/hsw/9207-how-to-study-cultures-recreational-groups-video.htm

And here is one I do for Archeology Tourism: