Some thoughts on the blogging process… (by Peter)

Anna has some experience in blogging, but this is a first for Thomas and me.  It has been an interesting experience for all three of us.  The following are some of our observations on blogging:

1.     Posts without pictures (like this one) are boring.

2.     It takes discipline to blog on a regular basis.

3.     When we don’t blog, friends such as Sheri Steiner pepper us with impatient e-mails wondering why we are slacking off.

4.     There is a reason we “binge blog”.  We do not have regular access to Wi-Fi.  We are dependent on McDonalds, Starbucks, or our friends that will be agreeable enough to allow us to log in on their personal computers to blog.  We will frequently travel hundreds of miles without access to Wi-Fi.  When we find a hotspot, we are inclined to compile things as quickly as possible, post them, and then move on.

5.     Blogging, as we do, with a GPS signaling device giving away our exact location within 6 inches every 10 minutes has developed a class of followers on our blog, which we call the “protective stalker”.  An example of this would be a virtual friend by the name of Bob Kirk.  He is frequently more cognizant of our location than we are.  On one occasion, the batteries in our GPS died, and as a result it showed us stranded in a freeway outside of Prince George.  He e-mailed us immediately, concerned about our safety.  He points out for us in advance road conditions, and even biking trails for Thomas.  We look forward to meeting Bob in person some day.  (He has read Mom’s book through twice and was very encouraged by it.)

6.     Keep the amount of hits to our blog in perspective.  I thought we were doing rather well with our approaching 13,500 views since we left home, until I discussed it with my ever-intuitive wife.  Her reply?  That means you probably have around 100 followers, as they are each opening up your sight about five times a day – YOU do the math.

7.     Some of you keep us open on your URL all day, and flip back and forth among your activities to keep track of that “spot” that is posted every ten minutes.

8.     Blogging can be arduous, but it is generally enjoyable!  It has made the trip much more memorable.

Thanks to all of you for showing interest in our travels.