A few days ago I finally posted the last two chapters of the story of our 14 month trip to Europe. (This is the story of the 100 mile walk across the Swiss Alps that ended our trip.) My blog now tells the story (often in very great detail!) of our family's "Grand Tour of Europe."

Some months ago I even bought the domain name www.ourgrandtour.com and today I got ambitious and figured out how to actually direct this to my blog site on Slow Travel and to set up an e-mail address. And then I posted a welcome as the first entry someone will see when they find their way to the blog website.

I realize that this is not a typical blog, as my entries are really very detailed... it's more of an on-line journal of our long trip.

Since we are indexed on Google, we actually get a surprising number of hits for various reasons. I really enjoy hearing from people who have read about our story.

But now what? I feel I should do something with my blog-- but what? Or maybe I should just leave it as is and move on to some other project...

I have several different thoughts, but I'd love to hear your ideas.

Kathy

You are an inspiration to us all and I congratulate you on all you and your family have accomplished! I can't wait to read more.

What about publishing a book? Not sure exactly what kind, but there's definitely a story in your adventure. Your pictures are great - what about a coffee table book (Seinfeld?!)? Do you know anyone in the publishing business who could give you some advise?

Sandra

I have a few ideas:

1. A book. It would be a fabulous book.

2. A series of articles for a travel magazine, if no one is interested in the book.

3. You can move blog to your ourgrandtour domain by hosting the domain with a webhost that supplies moveabletype (the blogging software you used to create the blog). Shannon did this with her blog - she is hosted on www.livingdot.com for about $10/month. They install the software and will install upgrades - so you don't have to fuss with the software. I could help you with a template - or at least start you off with the same template you have now.

MT has an option to display a blog in reverse order, so someone could read the blog from start to finish. I tried doing this with Lisa's blog, but could not get it to work (can't remember why not) - but this would be a good thing to do with your blog.

4. Use a web design tool to turn the blog into a website where someone can read your story from start to finish.

>> At the very least, now that you are done, we should try to display your blog on SlowTrav in the reverse order and set up a new blog for you for your next trips. Did you write any entries on your last trip?

I can help you with options 3 and 4 when we get back from England in June.

Or you can be lazy and have it as a wonderful memoir. I love occasionally rereading my journals and my blog from past trips.

I "third" the book - is that what you say after I second it? Anyways, if not the book than definitely travel articles. I was hooked on your updates last spring/summer and was also so disappointed when your trip ended as that meant no more updates.
You could also update your blog reflecting back/adding to some of your original entries.
susan

Kathy -

Whatever you decide to do with it, I anxiously look forward to cozying up with a croissant and an infusion of tea, and reading and exploring it from start to finish. Thank you for sharing and inspiring.

Terry

Kathy,

Whatever you decide to do with your writing, with your helping us all, with your wonderful journals and with your blog, please JUST KEEP DOING IT. You are on the right path. You are following your dreams. You deserve all the compliments you have gotten here and more.

Just keep going, girlfriend...alot of people aare happy to see you spread your wings and fly.

Di

Another vote for turning into a book..as a parent planning a European vacation with kids many years ago I would love to have had your blog to inspire me! And it would be even greater if it could include some comments/reports from Kelley as well. Her perspective would add a dimension, too (I still chuckle when I remember her grumbles when she was tired of Lake Como in the rain).

Judy

Kathy, the idea of a book is intriguing--but it would take a lot of work and be consuming. You have so much material and in such detail that while that would make it easier than starting from scratch, the consolidation and organizing a content and flow would be a challenge. I guess it depends on how you want to spend your time--doesn't it? I think a series of travel articles would be good if you can find a publisher. Or--it can be a gem that people on the net find and one that you have as a treasured memory while you move on to the next adventure. I know it is hard to know what to do with something that has been a labor of love and focus for so long. Good luck with your decision--I'm sure a few weeks in Provence will be a good place to ponder this.

I'd personally do articles first. Try and get a couple published. See if there is interest. If you land on the right track, get published, get some contacts, then plunge into a book.

That is a good point Rar - to start with the articles. It would let Kathy see how she likes that type of writing and then they could be submitted to magazines and at the same time to an agent to see if there is interest in a book.

Thanks everyone for these suggestions and comments. I really appreciate all of you!

I actually came home last summer thinking I would pursue a book and even talked with a friend who has published successfully, but as Jane says, this is a big commitment of time with no guarantees (and lots of competition). It just hasn't felt right to me. Articles could be another way to get started. (And our time in France this summer would be ideal to work on this...)

In the meantime, I want to do a couple of the things Pauline has suggested re. "housekeeping" on my blog so that this can be a resource to others who may be planning a long trip or researching some of the places we visited. I may add a section on the logistics of planning a long trip-- or the re-entry process back home. Pauline, I appreciate your offer of help with this-- when you are back, of course!

Kathy