Traveling Ideas

Sorry for the lack of posting, but to be honest I haven't done much in the way of actual research of the book-reading or thesis-writing sort. I have, however, been traveling the East Coast {or at least the northern half of it} for the better part of this last week. My sister came to visit & I took her to Baltimore, Washington D.C., & Philadelphia. Then we drove back to New England {9.5 hours total with 4 of that being spent on the G.W bridge - excellent!} & then spent the last few days in northern Vermont. All this time driving & walking about these different places got me thinking about what makes a place "visit-able" or not & how does one decide what sort of economic development is appropriate for a particular town or city?

Earlier last week I was thinking about planning a trip to the Outer Banks, specifically Okracoke Island {on a suggestion from some friends} - since I have never been. The idea was thrown out after looking at my bank account, but researching the island started a few thoughts. Foremost being that they have outlawed any chains - restaurants, hotels, etc. What a great idea! No better way to get rid of everything-looks-the-same-itis than to legally make a place find a way to be unique, stay how it is, or avoid McDonalds & Walmarts.

My travels later in the week, the ones mentioned above, also provided opportunities for thesis-thoughts. Here's the breakdown:

1. Baltimore: What does a place do with houses, buildings, & other abandoned structures that are not really loved so much anymore? They surely provide character, but they don't make me feel safe. Second - & this discusses the Inner Harbor area - what makes a redevelopment project successful or not? Incorporation of appropriate heritage using recognizable building materials? Or having recognizable chains represented {i.e Urban Outfitters & The Cheesecake Factory}?

2. Washington D.C: Should museums be free, is this a good way to get people downtown & to share art/culture with residents? What sorts of things need to be in city neighborhoods to make people want to work & live there trendy bars, cupcake shops, Whole Foods, or can it be more appropriate to the socioeconomic level of residents?

3. Philadelphia/other nearby areas of Pennsylvania: What is the best way to give equal representation to all people involved in the history of an area - important people achieving things on paper/historic record vs. workers/buildings {i.e Presidents House hullabaloo outside of the Liberty Bell Center, certain historic homes in the Germantown area}? At what point does heritage tourism go from educational/interesting/empowering for locals/characteristic to just plain tacky? Would people be interested in summer history camp {i.e available at the Brandywine Battlefield}?

4. Vermont: Farmers Markets, agritourism, microbrewery tours, local handcrafts, & letting land go "undeveloped" to maintain a sense of character & authenticity - are these things only appropriate in more rural areas or can this local & authentic mindset be transported into a city with people from many different backgrounds & income levels?

5. Highways, roads, driving: My nightmare of a drive home gave way to one giant {& perhaps a little annoyed} thought. We have got to get some cost & time effective, non-automobile forms of transportation in this country! I'm sure I'll discuss the various platforms of sustainability in train travel {from a social equity point-of-view at least} later on, but seriously!