Tuesday, October 13, 2009

YOU, TOO, CAN WIN! …plus AN INTERESTING COMPARISON

On the Beach near Heceta Head, Oregon A couple of weeks ago, after I wrote about our hike to the Heceta Head Lighthouse and beyond, I received an email from Melissa Deats. She was interested in republishing the blog post and photos on her own website, RoadTripJournal.com. Of course, I was flattered and said “yes”.

Now that post has been added to the RoadTripJournal’s “Readers Choice Award” for October, along with posts from four other blogs. Here is what Melissa’s web page says:

Read our favorite articles submitted by bloggers and vote for your favorite! Choose the article that makes you want to visit the destination the most. The blogger with the most votes will win a $100 gas card to help keep them traveling.

“What's in it for you? You could win a $100 gas card too!! Read each of our favorites below, then click on the survey link to choose your favorite! Make sure you enter your email address to be entered to win the prizes!”

Now, I wouldn’t mind winning a $100 gas card – and you might like one, too. If so, click here to read the 5 entries and cast your vote. Here’s hoping we both win – and thanks for your support. :)

A few of us travel bloggers (especially Al of Travels With the Bayfield Bunch) and readers have recently discussed blog background colors and how the choice of a deeper background color can enhance photographs, making them “pop” off the screen. When Melissa reprints blog posts, she uses a white background, losing the original post’s colors, fonts and format. Curious? Compare her reprint with the original post – it’s a great illustration of the impact of a blogger’s customization choices.

One last comment: As I sit snuggled inside here in stormy northern California writing this post, I am acutely aware of how much I enjoy connecting with all of you – across the country and in a few others, besides. I write about our travels because I enjoy writing… but interacting with readers through comments and emails certainly deepens the enjoyment! Reader Mac of Couple of Nuts Travel Notes emailed me last week to say that my mini-series on Buying an RV had helped the “Nuts” make their decision on which RV to purchase – and it put a big smile on my face to know that something I had written had been helpful in that way. So, THANKS, readers – your friendship and engagement is much appreciated by Odel and me.

Now, back to our regular programming… :)

11 comments:

  1. You have my vote, and thank you for taking the time to take us along on your experiences and travels. We have watched with interest and concern as life has provided your ups and downs, since your blogging decision allowed us to follow along.

    Rod

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  2. We're a clickin & a votin fer ya over here in Ontario:))

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  3. Well...I would have cast a vote for you, but since I was the "Paddling Mono Lake" entry and needed at least one vote, I had to cast my ballot for Mono Lake this time. But good luck and hopefully our next submissions will not be in conflict. Sharon and Allan

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  4. You got my vote. Good luck. Hope you win.

    P.S. You're right about the background color. I've always liked your layout.

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  5. I haven't read the entries yet but I will. In the meantime I want you to know I glean lots of tips from your blog. Thanks for sharing.

    Linda Sand

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  6. How fun that someone had been to the Mustard Museum in Mt Horeb--that's just down the street from us! (Of course I voted for you!)

    hugs,
    donna

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  7. Hello!
    I've been following you lurkingly for quite some time. I love your photos and you're quite right about the dark background. The photos do pop. Geeks on Tour use a variety of colors. But, I find the blue of your site very soothing. I really enjoy your blog and I voted for you. It was a difficult choice as I thought all the nominees were entertaining. Safe travels!

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  8. P.S. I forgot to mention that framing your photos add an extra something to your blog. I like the tilt of this one and the Farmer's Market collage. Talk about pop!!! If I ever start a blog, I'd love to be able to do that. Does Blogger do it? I can do it in Photoshop Elements, but I haven't even looked at Blogger.

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  9. Congrats! What a neat honor....you have our vote. Hugs, C&J

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  10. Sandybee, the "tilt" is something that Windows Live Writer does. It's a free program that you download to your computer... it lets your compose your blogs "offline" (no need for an internet connection), then upload them when you are online. Great photo handling and blog formatting - plus, your posts are saved on your own computer and can be backed up to an external drive. I like that.

    I do the collages in Picassa (I have 3.0, but will soon upgrade to 3.5), then save and add to the blog in Windows Live Writer. Making collages is SO MUCH FUN!

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  11. Great blog. I volunteered at Heceta one summer. Great spot. Hope to see you this winter. Betty P.

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