Most of the adventures I’ve chronicled have been on weekends or on vacation. It is truly rare that I’ve experienced a tourist adventure during the workday, but here goes!

After six years of working for the Hampstead School District, I chose to apply to the Derry Cooperative School district and was hired as their Director of Information Services. This wasn’t an easy decision as Hampstead gave me the opportunity to move to New England, and enjoy this amazing part of the country.  Not only that, my fellow administrators had become my friends.

Derry Cooperative is about four times as large as Hampstead, but like Hampstead, it is a K-8 district, and sends their students to Pinkerton Academy for high school.  Hampstead’s administrative team included 9 members. The Derry team has over 30 members.  After a month I wondered if I’d enjoy the same camaraderie I’d enjoyed in Hampstead.  Fortunately my new superintendent believes in relationships and team building exercises. And to my delight, she booked trip to Boston to participate in a scavenger hunt for our summer administrative retreat. You know I love going to the city and seeing new things. I didn’t know what this opportunity would bring, but it sounded exciting.

As it turned out, this activity combined some of my favorite things, big cities, solving problems, and learning totally useless information!! After dividing into teams, and initializing the app, we were off to solve our clues. Some of the clues were baffling. At least the app eventually tells you the right answer. My team didn’t win, but we sure had fun traveling through Quincy Market, City Hall, and other historical places. One of the most fascinating parts was going upstairs in Faneuil Hall. Up til that day I’d only been in the first two floors to use the restroom or see the gift shop. I’d heard of the meeting hall upstairs, and was excited to finally see this beautiful room of American history. The winners got medals and bragging rights. For me, the experience accomplished all it was it was intended. I really felt part of the team.

After the scavenger hunt many of us enjoyed a sidewalk lunch at Joe’s American Grill on the waterfront before proceeding to an afternoon at the New England Aquarium.  This was the part of the day I’d most looked forward to, as it is one of the few touristy things in Boston I haven’t done. As soon as I walked in, I knew I’d need to bring my granddaughters the next time they’re here. Elizabeth loves the penguins in Kansas City, and the aquarium greets its visitors with a wonderful penguin exhibit. The venue includes an outdoor exhibit of sea lions and many small aquariums filled with aquatic life. The main exhibit, though, is the four story Giant Ocean Tank in the middle of the building with a winding ramp to the top. It reminded me of the Open Ocean exhibit at the Marine Life Institute in the movie, Finding Dory. This aquarium included many varieties of tropical fish including rays, sharks, and a sea turtle. I made my way to the top to view a feeding demonstration in what looked just like the Caribbean reefs we like to snorkel.

The time to leave was rapidly approaching, so many of us waited for the bus in a beautiful pocket park. I sat there thinking how much I thoroughly enjoyed getting to know my new colleagues. It was hard to leave Hampstead, but I knew that I’d made the right decision. This touristy adventure was just what I needed to settle in.

 

 

 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” – Helen Keller