I think Google Street View is nothing short of a miracle. Maps and satellite imagery are fine and good, but there is something special about being able to 'walk' down just about any given highway or street in America and many overseas locations and have a 360 degree view of the area.

The wonder of it was once again brought home to me this morning when I read our Augusta's post about the earthquake in the Lake District of England, and I used Google Maps to go to the epicenter. Earthquake!

We visited that very spot ten years ago and stayed at what they call a self-catering cottage at the hamlet called Little Arrow, just west of Coniston, which is where the nearest shops are. I just now went to Little Arrow with Street View, and the memories came flooding back.



It's so beautiful around there, and the photographs of the area that come up when you go there on Google Maps more than do it justice. The area is called The Lake District and it's a popular spot for trekkers to explore the craggy mountains.

The Street View photo of the place where we stayed was taken in spring, and they've got hundreds of naturalized daffodils in bloom along the roadway and in their yard. I don't know if I'll ever get back to that area, but I can visit it any time sitting in my chair, thanks to the Internet and Google Street View

I can't upload those pictures I saw with the Maps, but here are a few of mine:







Oh, the beauty!

And I found this great online news magazine:

grough Magazine As the Brits would say: Brilliant! This link will take you to an item about private 4x4 vehicle owners in Wales volunteering to provide transportation to emergency responders in the recent snowstorm.

It reminds of the big storms in Denver when the hospitals will put out a call for volunteers with 4 WD to get medical personnel to and from the hospitals.