shanek

I have no control over this Howard. To make this available to the people who requested that they see my photos, my only option was to use THEIR, not my, public bookstore. I like the way they are formatted for viewing and couldn't see the point in duplicating them into another hosting site just for the purpose of showing them to my new friends on this forum.

The point that I was making in reply to your criticism was that it was never an intention of mine to make a profit out of this venture. The book is priced well above what would be commercially viable. As for getting over it....I was, hours ago.

Barbara

Lovely! Great photos! What a unique way to keep memories of your trip. Thanks very much for sharing everything with us.

MBnancy

Loved the report and the all the photos of your family and the west coast. Smiled at the back cover of the American Flag flying over the California Bear Flag...great ending!

5alive

Great photos and story of a great trip!

Also, this was very inspirational to all of us to put together our photos for the family memories. I have seen offers at Costco to do this kind of thing but never have pursued it. I was able to hit full screen although the print size was still pretty small.... Thanks for sharing.

SeaUrchin

Thanks for posting this book, I loved the photos of your smiling family, the kids posing for the camera. The book will be a treasure of your trip for your family.

sluggo

I should have expected nothing less than this masterpiece. Thank you for sharing it. I am inspired to create a book for our major trips down the road.

mlgb

I am sure Fodors would never delete this treat for all fans of THE BEST TRIP REPORT EVER!! Thank you for sharing this.

shanek

Thanks Guys. Your comments help to justify all the hours and blood, sweat and tears that went into it.

I look forward to seeing all your future book making efforts.

travelnmymind

A great keepsake for your family. I'm sure the kids will love browsing at it 5-10 years from now.

SOCALOC

Front flap cover- 3 states and 500 miles? Please share how you did that. LOL

shanek

Yes SOCALOC, I buggered up there. It should read 5000 miles. I will adjust this before I print the final edition.

SEW

What a great reminder of your trip. I think your family will enjoy the ability to recall this trip from a book on the bookcase rather than one trapped in a computer. I loved the travel blog and enjoyed seeing the book. You did some of my favorite West Coast things, so love it!

shanek

Thanks SEW. I am about to commence making books from all our previous travels. I wish I had found out about this years ago.

foxmum

Thanks so much for a wonderful read. My husband and I and our 5 kids are embarking on a very similar adventure in mid November - flying into San Francisco (4 nights), driving down the wonderous coastline you mentioned - overnight Pismo Beach, Vegas (5 nights), Grand Canyon 0n the rim (1 night), San Diego (6 nights), Anaheim (3 nights), Santa Monica (5 nights) Hawaii (5 nights). I have been the intrepid researcher in our house and have researched everything imaginable. I have booked, and rebooked, and googled and forumed and emailled as much as time permits me. We are anxious about many of the same things you were - sleeping in, not getting on the right flight/departure lounge/queue, LAX, driving on the left, have we got enough days in places or too many and the list goes on. You have answered so many of my queries that I am beginning to relax ever so slightly. I am so grateful to you for introducing to the world of booksmart as we travel 4-5 weeks every year (always within Oz until now) and I am a compulsive photographer and have never found the perfect way to remember these times - I have tried photo albums, collages, digital frames, but I think you have solved my dilemma and I will without doubt be investing in a hardcopy book. One quick question - how did the coastline compare to our Great Ocean Road??
With gratitude, Wendy

shanek

Hi Wendy,

I am very happy to hear that my travels have helped your planning. It would be great if you could post a few thoughts from along the road to help me re-live our fantastic adventure, that now seems to have faded to a long distant memmory.

As far a Highway 1 is concerned, I can recall telling Kerry, at the time, that it struck me as being like the Great Ocean Road on steriods!!!

The day that we travelled the most scenic part, it was very foggy so we did not see it at its absolute best but it was still breathtaking. The stretch that hugs the coastline appeared to be a bit further than the Anglesea to Ocean Grove sector. Having said this, I still dont want to take anything away from the GOR. They are both fantastic in thier own right.

sf7307

Wendy and Shanek, I thought you'd be interested in this article from the travel section of today's San Jose Mercury News.

http://www.mercurynews.com/travel/ci...nclick_check=1

Kymjon

Hi Shanek,

I live in Melbourne, and it was just wonderful stumbling across your road trip blog, from your West USA road trip. We are taking our two sons, aged 10 and 9, for a white Christmas this year. We are travelling to Seattle then doing a 5 week drive down the Coast of the US. I have copied and pasted so much of your report into my 'USA tips' folder, and will refer to it frequently when making my final choices about what to see and where to go. I have to tell you, I booked our 'log cabin in the snow' in november of 2012, as i wanted the picture-perfect location.
Anyway, just wanted to say Thank You. Your lovely family has inspired me and given me many, many excellent ideas.
Now I just have to plan them!!
Cheers
Kym

Cali

shanek, I enjoyed reading about your trip when you took it and now enjoyed seeing your book. What a wonderful keepsake for you and your family.