Just like the "Little Einsteins" (And if you don't get that reference, you don't have young children or watch little kids cartoons)...(and if you don't have little children, why are you watching little children cartoons?)..anyway...I went on a trip, but of instead of "on a rocket ship," it was in my 1999 Saturn. So, in the grand scheme of things, it was still planetary. Yesterdays voyage took me to the far away land of Oxford Hills to meet with my fellow TAH (Teaching American History) colleagues to discuss books written by and about journalist and photographer Jacob Riis. If you don't know who he is, I strongly suggest that you research him; quite an "interesting" guy.
Like any other trip that one takes, this one solo, there is plenty of time on the way to the destination to contemplate what will be seen, said, done and discussed. I will say that having children, these few moments in the vehicle that I am by myself, really seem very quiet. Mostly because they are quiet. It gives you a chance to think about virtually anything that you want. Sometimes it is interesting where the mind goes; however, on this particular trip I thought about your future trip to New York City. The parts that I was looking forward to, the parts that...well I'm looking forward to the whole thing; so that is really what engulfed my thoughts. I will, however, miss my family. Just made sure that made it's way in there.
The views on the way there are really something special. The trip up Streaked Mountain, the people tailgating me, the tractor trailer truck that was going fifteen miles under the speed limit; it all added to the ambiance of the trip. Only like, thirty times, did I want to scream until I was blue in the face, slam my steering wheel and say things that would make a pirate disappointed in me. We all know, doing those things in a car always seems to make go faster; I mean, otherwise, what's the point? Us as human beings never do anything irrational; it's just not in our nature. Right John Locke? And if you think I am referring to the character on Lost, you are wrong; although, that John Locke was just as awesome! "NOT PENNY'S BOAT!"
Really, going on any excursion, allows a person to expand their knowledge base, regardless of the distance and duration of the trip. In this case, from the front door of my house to the side door of Oxford Hills High School is roughly an hour and ten minutes. However, the thoughts that expand your mind horizons (yeah, I just created THAT term) really can give a sense of a much more distant and whimsical trip. All of this is even before I arrived at the meeting and had our discussions.
The interesting thing about these meetings, is that every time I leave, I am blown away by the amount of knowledge and experience that gets dropped on me and the rest of the gang. It really is quite impressive to listen to the points of view of different teachers and how they analyze books and their ideologies and methodologies that they go through when learning, discussing and teaching new material. I really, truly, feel fortunate to have been able to attend these meetings with my fellow TAHers and to learn from them. I feel badly that I haven't been nearly as influential on them as they have been to me (especially collectively). However, being in these meetings has been invigerating for me personally, and the flow and ease in which our discussions take place is seamless and more than pleasant; they are family-like. The commrodary and collegiality that we have with one another is like those that are studying together at a college or university, rather than people going to "meetings" and I think that is why we are having such a hard time coming to terms with the fact that this long, distinctly poignant journey is nearing it's end. Fortunately enough, we have one last chance to solidify our friendships and share our worldly views with one another. The time will be invaluable and will be exciting from the moment we arrive at the park and ride to the moment we wave goodbye to the Big Apple and eventually head our separate ways back to our respective towns and homes. The beauty of this program is that the communication does not end at that very moment, it will continue to flourish and the friendships and connections will be far reaching and lifelong...or at least that is the hope from this end.
So, in conclusion, a trip, regardless of the distance is still a trip. It's a journey. It's a voyage. The TAH program has been just that. The purpose of travel is to gain knowledge, expand horizons, and learn from other people, cultures and communities. These journeys with TAH have been enlightening in the strictest sense of the word. It doesn't seem to matter where we go; whether it's Oxford Hills with Patrick, Martina, Libby, Charles or Anne...or Bowdoin College with any of those individuals, or Pemaquid with Tad, or anywhere that Ted goes (as he gives an air of prestige to any event), the people and participants have provided all that a travel is supposed to entail and provide. And for that, I am truly a worldly traveler and continuing scholar.
Love the travel thoughts.
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