As an Economics major and CIS minor, I entered this course with relatively little understanding of the literary works we were going to study. I was briefly an English major – three short years ago – and have read a few of the classics, but I seemed to have missed much of the works we would be studying during the trip. Notwithstanding, I was confident this trip would be enjoyable and educational alike – I was not disappointed.

Traditional education through classroom instruction can only go so far to convey information about the setting and surroundings of an author when writing. Though we met with Dr. Rutledge several times before leaving for background information on the places we would be visiting, I left many of those meetings with little more than an understanding of the particular author’s name. Now, as I reflect upon this two-week trip two months later, I realize the value of hands-on learning. I feel as if I have read Thoreau, Emerson, Twain, Alcott, or Melville without really reading a library of classics. I can’t say I’m happy or better off for not reading them in the first place; however, the fact that I can walk away with a genuine understanding of their work as a business major speaks to the value of trips such as these. I believe they should even be marketed to non-English majors for this reason.

When one goes to places like the Emerson home, he feels as though he is surrounded by Emerson himself. The rooms bear the musty odor of old books and cracking wallpaper. As the guide describes the author’s life, the visitor is directed to actual objects the writer acquired on a trip or paintings done by a daughter. While the sites might have gift shops, many of the homes and landmarks we visited didn’t feel touristy – they were a window into another time. As a student, one is able to put visual images with scenes and events. I have learned more through this trip about the authors and their time-period than in any other class I’ve taken. A big thanks to Dr. Rutledge and Derick for organizing this experience!

We're back on the mainland today, in Boston, after a choppy ferry ride and a long drive inland. We arrived in the suburb of Braintree to board the subway around 11:00 p.m., and arrived at the Hostellung International of Boston at approximately 12:00 a.m. The weather is finally sunny again after 3 days enduring a nor'easter (see our photos for an example). The hostel is nice: the rooms are furnished with bunk beds and lockers for valuables, and there are community bathrooms and showers in the hallways. When we arrived last night the place was seemingly empty but for five or six other college students; however, we were greeted this morning by a stampeding herd of twenty or thirty middle schoolers. This is the first place that we've really had to share facilities with other travelers. Nothing wrong with that, seeing as the doors have locks and heat, and there is plenty of hot water for a change.

We landed safely and early in Cleveland and had time for a quick bite of lunch. The planes are cozy (I can't stand up in the center aisle without hitting my head), but we haven't run into much turbulence. We were recognized and welcomed by this flight attendant before we took off.