I hope everyone had a nice holiday! Long time, no see! I haven’t been active in the forums for some time (my toddler has kept me busy!), but I peek in when I can to see where everyone has been heading.

I’m writing a blog post for the site that reflects on some of the interesting trips Fodor’s members have taken in 2011. While several come to mind, I wanted to take the opportunity to ask for your favorites. Which trip reports stand out to you? Which one did you find so engrossing that you couldn’t wait for the next “installment”? Has one inspired you as you look to your travel plans for 2012?

And while I’m at it, thanks to everyone who wrote a trip report this year. They are an extremely valuable resource for those of us planning our next adventure.

MaiTaiTom wins my vote. I really do enjoy reading the trip reports and his are always very entertaining!! I get so much information from this site - it is a great help.

Hi Katie,

The TRs I've enjoyed most this year aren't the long ones of your usual destinations; instead, they are the short w/e trip reports (or even day trip reports) of the small towns in New England. Of course, I'm biased as I'm in the Boston area, so these short TRs of places not mentioned much in guidebooks are of more interest to me.

A few posters' reports came to mind:
dfrostnh (portland, ME, and VT after Irene)
jubilada (Champlain Valley in VT, Cape Cod)
ozarksbill (Providence RI, Cape Cod, Maine etc)
kwoo

I also enjoy bachlunch's trip reports as s/he travels in the US using public transport.

Edeevee's report of traeling with her Mama to Manhattan had me on the edge of my seat because those of us on the US forum had lived through the months of careful planning. It was a joy to see how the dream trip progressed.

http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...-on-fodors.cfm

More votes for Maitaitom and Edeevee's TRs about their trips to Manhattan. Both showed their sense of adventure and were very well written. Special thank yous to both of them.

Katie,

I love reading trip reports of places I've been and bringing back memories of past trips as well as those of new places to explore.

I've used the advice/experience of many Fodorites when on trips, especially on places to stay and hikes to do in a new area.

Hands down, edeevee's trip report for NYC.

She asked a gazillion questions in almost as many threads...but actually listened to great advice from a wide range of Fodorites and incorporated those suggestions in her trip and her report.

I enjoyed her TR so much I bought her book

Probably too obvious, but edeevee's and maitaitom's trip reports on their New York adventures were both winners to me! We probably would have gone anyway, but now DD and I are planning a mid-May trip to New York and their trip reports will come in really handy for planning it!

I also enjoyed the trip report written by the young mother from Britain as she traveled around the US this summer with her little daughter visiting Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers sites all over the country on the train.

So good to "see" you, Katie!

Another vote for edeevee's and maitaitom's NYC trip reports.

I'll add LowCountryIslander's Seattle trip report: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

and Nikki's Florida Keys TR: http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...rip-report.cfm

Thanks yk for the mention...and your own short reports are very informative, such as one on NYC arts, Providence, Portland. I assume we are thinking of USA not Europe or elsewhere?
Bill in Boston (now)

Usually the posts with the most replys are a good indication for a great TR.

Daniel Williams, yk and maitaitom are my favorite reporters. They never fail to inform and amuse. Any report by them is bound to fit your criteria for interesting and inspirational.

ps, your profile shot is adorable. Welcome back!

Thanks cmcfong!

>>I also enjoyed the trip report written by the young mother from Britain as she traveled around the US this summer with her little daughter visiting Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers sites all over the country on the train.

What a great trip report--just starting to read it. I hope to take an epic trip like this with my daughter one day. Hopefully she will be as well behaved as her daughter seems!

What a great idea and will be reading some of these. Keep up the good work.

By far, this is one of the best trip reports I've ever read here! It's brilliant and Fodor's should consider themselves lucky to have it.

I loved how the spontaneous 'idea' of the trip came about and how much you could feel his passion for music. The moments of synchronicity during his trip gave me chills. There truly was a beginning, a middle and an end to their journey.

Far too often Los Angeles gets a bad rap as a destination, but not through Colin's eyes! And he did it without a car!
It was so refreshing following his excitement as he went to places he had known about for years; places I haven't thought about in decades but it sure was fun re-living it!

BRAVO to you Colin and thanks for the fabulous ride!
My apology for not making a comment until now!







http://www.fodors.com/community/unit...travelogue.cfm

WOW!!!!

SOCALOC, you are spot on. I am only up to day 3, but I am totally hooked. I will get no work done today. It has left me feeling so nostalgic. Memmories of our trips to California have come flooding back.

I think the use of Colin's great photos have certainly added a huge element. Maybe that might be something that could be condsidered for the next update to the Fodor's forums. I know that they can be "linked" but it is much better to view them whilst you read along.