The Birth of a Blog

Drive-by travel. My friend and I were joking about this new style of travel for us as we toured Park City, Utah, with our 2 colicky 5-month-olds and my 3-year-old. The question became, ‘to unbuckle or not to unbuckle?’ We found ourselves in front of one site after another too tired to take the kids out of the car seats. We opted to roll down the window, take a snapshot and then vowed to send each other copies. I would then gun the car to get the ‘jiggling’ going again before the babies started howling.

I never thought I would start ‘blogging.’ I was stunned to find out that even my 54-year-old aunt blogs, and logs quite a few hours a day doing it. Still, who would want to read what I write? I always thought of a blog as one of those voyeuristic cam sites where people can peek in on your every move, and you are inviting them to do so.

I began a travel writing class and I’ve decided to write a blog for the trip we’re taking to France this month. If I desire to be published as a travel writer, a blog seems like a good start. What better way to start getting it out there?

I read somewhere that you should write for the trash bin. Just write that is. You don’t have to turn out final-draft quality writing on the first go-around. The more you write, the better you get. This is my intent.

I seem to be the person to call for travel advice in my circle of family and friends, and in all contingent circles. I have even been entrusted with planning several trips abroad for friends. I will include practical tips as well as writing and essays about our experiences abroad. I know there will be plenty of subject material with 2 little girls in tow.