WHY I LIKE BLOGGING, AND AN OPPORTUNITY TO THANK YOU, READERS.

Every so often, a topic will come up in the “RV’ing Blogger” community that really gets legs!  Not too long ago, Al (The Bayfield Bunch) kicked it off when he posted his long list of what he likes/dislikes in other blogs, with suggestions posted on what to blog, what not to blog, how to blog, why to blog… BOOM, it took off!

Most of us who read and commented on the “conversation” seemed to have one thing in common: we didn’t take kindly to anyone telling us what we should or should not do with our own blogs!  Our little tempest went on for a few days (and we all learned something about others’ likes and dislikes), then quieted down as we all went back to talking about the weather.  :)

Reading through the comments left on Al’s post, it seemed that we readers who also blog fell into two camps: bloggers who would blog whether anyone read or not, and bloggers who blog because other people read their posts.   I’m in the first group.

My blog is a diary, written for me and my family, one I would continue whether or not anyone else was interested.  I enjoy writing, and blogging helps me remember, with detail and photos, things I would otherwise forget.  I LOVE browsing through old blog posts, looking back to see where we were at the same time a year or two or three ago. 

August 2009 – An early morning surprise in Tillamook, Oregon

August 2008 – Hiking, geocaching, and sightseeing the upper elevations of Colorado

August 2007 – An epicurean walking tour of Portland, Oregon

I never imagined the number of readers who would be interested in following our travels.  Though I would continue to blog whether or not it was of interest to others, the comments you readers post add another dimension of enjoyment for Odel and me (and probably for our other readers).  We’ve received great suggestions on places to visit – particularly restaurants – and things to do, sights to see, campground recommendations.  We were moved by your expressions of sympathy when Luna died.  In return, readers have thanked us for suggesting activities and sights they would not have visited otherwise. 

We’ve met readers of our blog in person, sometimes by accident, other times by invitation.  Here in Duluth, we had a delicious lunch with blog readers John and Toni, from our home state of California, after John wrote to let us know they were in the area.  Thanks, you two – we really enjoyed our conversation and the lunch treat.  :)

At our next stop, we’ll be hooking up with our friends Jeff and Margaret.  We first met in Arizona when Margaret walked by and said “Aren’t you Laurie and Odel?”  That started a long conversation that developed into a new friendship, and we’ve subsequently met up with them whenever the opportunity came along.

So, though I blog for the joy of creative expression and as a memory aid (more and more important as the years and experiences roll on), my thanks to you followers and readers who share your thoughts and suggestions with us through your comments.  Your interest and interaction is very satisfying, and appreciated.  We’re glad to have you travel along with us.  :)