I just found this widget through a reader’s blog “All That Blog“. It’s a cool gizmo where you can click off the states or countries that you have visited and it makes up a map for you!
Although it really doesn’t have much to do with frugality (other than it is actually free) I could see where it would be very useful on a travel blog, or just a personal blog of someone who likes to travel. Personally I don’t homeschool, but if I did I think it would be a neat way to keep track of different countries or states that you might be studying for various reasons as well.
As a very well traveled person myself due to the military and a personal proclivity for travel (I did 3 European Field Trips in Highschool and took a round the world semester away called Semester at Sea* in College as well as being stationed in Germany for 3 years with the opportunities for travel that entailed) here are my own personal maps. Yankee Bill and I are just waiting for the kiddos to get a bit older before we start traveling a bit more again-there will be a trip to Germany to visit our good friends there in the next 5 years or so (much more economical than you think when you have entire vacation homes and vehicles waiting to be used by you-it’s a shame YB had to be befriended by such a destitute family) and then extensive RV travel in the US.
Links to the site for the map making applications are provided below each of my maps.
Hmmm, this does make the world map look much more impressive, since it shows ALL of China, Russia, and Canada when you check them off, and for those three countries I visited only small portions: Beijing and Singapore in China; Odessa (Ukraine) and Krasnoyarsk (Siberia) in Russia, and Montreal and Vancouver in Canada.
Hope you enjoyed this and find it useful.
*NOTE: Semester at Sea is one of those life experiences, that although not frugal, was worth every penny and more. I would do it again in a heartbeat. Actually I am trying to convince Yankee Bill that we should go as adult passengers at some point. To me travel and experiences are some of those things that are worth spending the money on.
Amanda says
Cool, but can I change the color designation to “blue” instead of “red”? š heeeheee
Rebecca says
That’s awesome, Jenn! I am totally going to do one!
When I was growing up, my dad worked for the colleges that are in Germany to serve the military. So I’ve been to quite a few European countries. When we moved back, we flew in to NY and then drove South and across the country. So I’ve been to quite a few states, as well.
The funny thing is, although I have been to Mexico as part of that trip, I have never been to Canada (it is only hours away). I had never been to Montana until a few years ago, when we hopped into the car after church and headed east.
I’m told we can still drive to Canada this year without getting passports, so we may do that one Sunday this spring.
Jenn @ Frugal Upstate says
Amanda-the colors were preset by the maker, who I think is Dutch. So they don’t represent political affiliation or anything š
Rebecca-Actually it’s sort of sad that I’ve seen more of the world than I have of my own country. And I’ve never been to Mexico myself!
Alexandra says
I lived in Germany too. I miss traveling in Europe so much. Can’t wait for the children to get a little older.
Rebecca says
I am nostalgic for Europe, too. Later this year one of my friends is moving to Italy and I am hoping to be able to accompany her and/or visit. My kids are definitely old enough, the youngest two are both traveling internationally this year themselves.
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Diana says
Most of Germany has a temperate climate in which humid westerly winds predominate. The climate is moderated by the North Atlantic Drift, which is the northern extension of the Gulf Stream. This warmer water affects the areas bordering the North Sea including the peninsula of Jutland and the area along the Rhine, which flows into the North Sea. sportsbook, Consequently in the north-west and the north, the climate is oceanic; rainfall occurs year round with a maximum during summer. Winters there are mild and summers tend to be cool, though temperatures can exceed 30 Ā°C (86 Ā°F) for prolonged periods. In the east, the climate is more continental; winters can be very cold, summers can be very warm, and long dry periods are often recorded. Central and southern Germany are transition regions which vary from moderately oceanic to continental. Again, the maximum temperature can exceed 30 Ā°C (86 Ā°F) in summer. http://www.enterbet.com