another Quake

it seems that this year is a year of natural disasters. While millions across the country are firing up the BBQ this weekend, life goes on. The folks in the Philippines are suffering the consequences of today's quake (see http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/recenteqsww/ for a world map of current activities).

So this weekend, please set aside a few bucks for the Red Cross or your favorite charity.

Farmer's Market time, Yippee

Farmer's Markets

Yep time to get those fresh veggies and support the local economy. And the strawberries will be fresh and not those fruits shipped half-way around the world contributing to green house gases.

Local farms are important. Buy local!

Now, how can we grow a banana in New England?

and of course, food can be recreation

I'm getting into food tourism and the slow food movement. I mean, we should be more "locovores", enjoying the food products available in our home area. But that means more than using maple syrup, drinking local micro brews, and slurping whole belly clams. It means an overt attention to what we eat.

We can reduce our carbon footprint. Think about this when you eat something out of season.

I am building a bibliography so stay tuned.

Oil tourism

Yep, better stay inland if you are foolish enough to visit the Gulf coast this summer. Besides the hot and humid temps, don't worry about bringing baby oil. BP has you covered with some mighty fine crude. Check out this clip from UF tourism professor Stephen Holland.
http://news.ufl.edu/2010/05/06/oil-tourism/

Best to stay local and enjoy the warm 15 deg C temps in Hyannis!

Grading exams

yeah, I know....break out the world's smallest violin for me. Well, I need a break from grading my rec geog final exams. Seems students don't recall the details of the Mass CPA (and not certified public accountants). But the topics of "Fright Tourism" or "Risk Tourism" have been well thought out. I am kinda' disappointed that the Global Sustainable Tourism Criteria" wasn't researched a bit more.

But overall, the exams are good. So for the afternoon, I am going to work in the yard.

Greece tourism with Riot Prices

Don't know about that, but with the economy in the pits for Greece, the stronger dollar against the Euro (now it is 1 euro to 1.24 US dollar compared to 1 euro to 1.39 US dollar this time last year) and Americans feeling better about spending money, this summer may be a time to visit some ruins. Not banks burned in the riots but the real old stuff.

I just ran a Kayak search for a vacation in Athens for seven nights from 30 June to 7 July 2010 from BOS and BDL. Picked a 3 star hotel (Apollo Hotel, sounds nice huh?) and found it to be cheaper from BDL than BOS!

The flight over has two stops but only one stop coming back. For us in Western Mass, it just goes to show us that BDL is a decent airport and BOS may not be worth the extra cost to drive, park etc.

Greece not in the plans? Well you may wish to avoid Northern Europe since that nasty volcano is still active.

Recreation Geography

So, what is this thing called Recreation Geography. Take the two words and define each. Then merge the two definitions to come up with one possibility. How is this like the definition that we have used in our class?

Use the photo to explain the term.