Why don't we all post some trip reports?
 

We have all learned a lot on this site and have taken great trips around the country. It would be great to read about some of these trips - so often we only read about planning stages. I'm guilty of not posting post-trip too. I'll start on a separate message.

Probably many Fodorites have already seen the site or even been contacted, but it provides a great, systematic way to do trip reports and it's kind of fun. Here's a sample trip report from Paris from those I've left there:<BR><BR>http://www.igougo.com/planning/journal.asp?JournalID=3126<BR><BR>You can go back to the home page to get a look at how the site works. I've been posting things off and on for about a year and half and it is made to order for people who want to read and write trip reports. (www.igougo.com). Happy Contrails!<BR><BR>

I've posted trip reports on the Canada site and have had them later deleted. Its discouraging when you have good info that you want to share with people only to have it disappear. People keep recommending searches but a lot of the time good info that used to be on a site is no longer available so visitors have to ask questions that may have been asked dozens of times.

I have posted a trip report on this forum. I did not bash anything or anyone. I thought it was informative and helpful. Part of my trip report included a time where I got lost. Posters then followed with bashing saying I was stupid, disorganized, and was accused of poor trip planning. Never again will I post a trip report. Whats the point?

FYI - In on order to warn others not to make the same mistake, I also posted a faux pas that I made - only to be told how stupid I was. Some people like to criticize, some don't realize that they are hurting others. Just don't take it personally. Still, probably many people enjoyed your post. Keep trying.

The woman who lost her Delta voucher is a good reason why I would not post anything personal on this site again.Too many people waiting to attack the person posting,it is really awful,and amazing the amount of replies! All to bash her! The European board is a better trip report venue.

Hi everyone,<BR>I found it irritating, that the above "Fodorites" feel so unsure and so less sure of themself to handle appropriate critics and also on the other hand just laugh about those idiots who never get any confirmation for their own lifes and reflect their poor life with their stupid comments<BR>on this site. <BR>As I have to say that may reports were found on the "european" section, I never felt hurt just because a stranger founds it silly or whatever.<BR>Fodorites my advice - just ignore them and please give the true travelers all the information you want to share with. <BR>I can guarantee you - I will.<BR>Shain/E.U./germany/D&uuml;sseldorf<BR><BR>P.S.: Does any of those idiots like to explain their behaviours ? email me

I have my travelogues posted at www.appleberryroad.com.

any aspect of trip planning is a learning process. I agree with what everyone says about criticism gone amuck. I, for one, have great respect for everyone's trials, tribulations, and successes in traveling. Don't stop posting all those helpful pieces of information....Thanks<BR>Maryann

Original poster - this was not a request for a bunch of whining replies.

Wow, you missed my reports on Paris and South Africa? Hmmmm. And now you want to hear about Atlanta, Traverse City and St. Pete Beach? More hmmmm. Please, don't make me tell you about Michigan, please. Okay, if you insist. It snowed, and after two days we got the hell out. St. Pete ... the kite festival was great, and after three days on the beach, we got the hell out. In Atlanta, we did the usual for one day, and finally got the hell out of Hartsfield. I did like Tu Tu Tango. I've overwhelmed you with detail, but it was designed to give you some flavor. Ciao

Sorry - was cut off. Susan, plenty of people do benefit! Let's post.

So, Leone, I don't quite get your point: there is nothing in the US WORTH a trip report, or we don't need them cause we should just innately KNOW how to plan US trips, or what???<BR><BR>Some people can make a trip report on Newark interesting, and I would be happy to read their info, and, yyes, others don't have quite the same knack for imparting the flavor of the trip. But I certainly enjoy reading trip reports, even when I'm not planning a trip to the same location. It's just that with two kids in private colleges, I don't have any interesting trips to report on. Sigh...so I REALLY depend on this site for fun!

Hmmm, I'd post my trip reports but then I'd be accused of being a show-off! :)<BR><BR>once did write a bit about a trip, but the only response I got was "Who cares!" and "big deal, blah blah blah" and even was accused of not even going on the trip, like I was making it up!<BR><BR> So you see rrr, one doesn't get a lot of positive reinforcement from this bunch. Let's keep the trip reports to the European boards, where they are appreciated. Unless of course you want to start, if you survive maybe we'll get some more takers....

Hi Nina, and the other FODORITES<BR><BR>please don keep it only on european travels.<BR>Did you mention that maybe hundreds or even more "non-US-Fodorites" would like to get inside information about US-travels. It's such a big place !<BR>Please - post as usual.<BR>Thanks from europe/germany/Shain

Hi Marilyn, I have to go to Newark this afternoon, and it is supposed to rain.Maybe when I get back I'll post the trip and see how interesting everyone finds it:)LOL

Marilyn, not my point ... of course there are many interesting places in the USA which deserve an interesting trip report. My post was more a comment on own my trips ... truly, I just was doing my best to support the idea of reports, while trying to keep from putting anyone to sleep. Imagine an exciting discussion of St. Pete Beach. Or Traverse City (there's a good place to get the rental and drive out, fast). I've no fear of insulting anyone in TC - few if any have a thing invested in TC (I know - I asked for restaurants tips ... one person finally responded, but discussed towns 90 miles to the north). Well, I suppose Atlanta deserves a comment or two, but that's been done. Understandably (well, at least mom did), I saved my energies for places perhaps folks do not travel each weekend. But I erred. Anyway, I endorse the idea of trip reports. Now, may I please be excused for lunch! Ciao

Sure Leone, Just give us all a detailed trip report about said lunch when you return!<BR><BR>I will post a trip report next time, Won't be 'til mid March though! The only place I'm going between now and then is as a chaperone on the middle school ski trips, and believe me, you don't want to know. My group is already down 2 snowboarders from the first trip due to broken wrists, last weeks trips and tomorrow's are canceled (No snow!), so even those reports are pretty dismal.

Leone,<BR>Why read them if they put you to sleep. Are you the one that sets the standards for trip reports. If you do not find them interesting does that mean they have no place here on the board? I guess if you find no value in them then no one else will either.

Shain, I like your style. I agree, thicker skins, people! <BR><BR>Please report on your trips. It's one thing to read about the planning stages and quite another to hear what worked and what didn't. I love reading them -- allows us to travel vicariously ... Though truly, Leone and Nina, sounds like you could spare us the details of some trips ;-)

Okay, Nina: egg salad on rye, chips and coke, followed by a purchase of three Russian grammars ... for an upcoming trip to Moscow and St. Petersburg. Oh, fyi, re-read my post ... I never said reports make me sleepy ... I was talking anout my own. Self deprecatory (okay, I'll wait.). Susan, my Paris and S. Africa reports were pretty decent, and after my return to SA and Botswana later this year, I'll do some more. Hey, I'm trying!!! Surely you don't want to make me relive that lost weekend in Traverse City. Oh, I'll be hitting the beach again in St. Pete in the spring ... any desire for a report? No, I will not go to WDW (that drops potential interest by 99%). Ciao

One of my favorite reports was Leones last from Paris..he gave very good Cheap Eats recommendations and answered a couple of my questions. And there was actually humor in that thread~<BR>and Leone uses his name, regardless of the bashing going on around here!

Thank you, k - and Paris was very nice indeed. I am afraid my reports are a bit on the thin side compared to others, but my finger gets tired. With some, you feel almost like you can walk outside and go down the street and see the place. Those are very good indeed. The offer Fodors real value. Have a good day, and safe travel. Ciao

See what I mean, I told you no one wants to hear about my trips! <BR><BR>Leone, your lunch was better than mine. I'm having it right now, salad with grape tomatoes, croutons and swiss with balsamic dressing. No turkey left-boo-hoo! Now, wasn't that exciting!

Anyone want to hear about my lunch?<BR>I was waiting for the builder to come,he would call first- the dog wants to go out in the rain, and I had to fax some papers.So I took the phone off the hook,ran out with the dog in the car, left the papers to be faxed,got back home to see the builder drive up, the dog attacked him, but with happiness that there was someone besides me that he could talk to, the builder gave me an estimate...this all relates to travel because the builder is from Wales...then the dog went outside to play in the rain and I got to eat a quick smoked turkey and havarti on a pita.<BR>Hope this wasn't too boring:)

Not to me housewife, but look at my day! One more week until I go to work for a few days, will I make it? <BR><BR>Oh goody, look at the clock, my darling angels will be arriving home any moment, with friends in tow, I best get to the kitchen and whip up some cookies......(the really sad part is that I'm not kidding!)

Too funny! You want us to post trip reports! Only a small percentage that post here actually do any traveling. The rest are wannabe armchair travelers posting from work because GASP they don't actually do any work and are bored silly.

nina/curious, do you actually think anyone cares about your life??? You really are neurotic.

Absolutely not Doc, I know they don't give a hoot about it (thank god). But thank you for illustrating my point regarding nasty responses to trip reports!

Nina-BOO!

Well, LEONE does in fact care about what you post. I read it all. And many more care too. It is afterall about people's lives. What's not to be interested in. And doctor, or whatever you sign in as, many of us do travel, and we do care, and you're full of the ole beans (get this guy some Beano!). I bet he's one of those who skipped State of the Union in favor of Mike Tyson's latest embarrassment. Nina. that lunch sounded good actually. Ciao

Oringinal poster again - what an awful lot of time some of you spend bashing and not writing trip reports!

just wanted to add that i have posted a couple of short trip reports, mainly to say thank you to the people who have answered my questions about a destination. i just post them at the end of my original thread.<BR><BR>haven't had any bashing or rude remarks (yet, anyway) and when i've seen other people do the same it's nice to know my suggestion was read and appreciated!<BR><BR>i think it's a good idea. it doesn't have to be long. i enjoy reading other people's trip reports, here and on the europe board so i can get some ideas for my next vacation. *:)

Here are a couple of links to travel journals and creative travel writing on The Long Trip Home (an online literary magazine for travelers): <BR>http://www.thelongtriphome.com <BR>that pertain to travel in the states (some are photojournals):<BR><BR>Schmoozing in the Smokies <BR>or Learning to Love a Llama, Bad Breath and All<BR>http://www.thelongtriphome.com/articlesrlt3.html<BR><BR>Alan Siegle's Alaska: a photojournal:<BR>http://www.thelongtriphome.com/articlesrlt4.html<BR><BR>Nantucket: Nice Pants and an Attitude to Match<BR>http://www.thelongtriphome.com/articleslc11.html<BR><BR>Two Years in Chicago: a photojournal<BR>http://www.thelongtriphome.com/articlesS20.html<BR><BR>Enjoy!<BR><BR>Jackie<BR><B R><BR><BR>

Most trip reports I skip - but I am sure others read them. I skip because most people have difficulty writing a concise, interesting trip report. <BR><BR>I read the ones that give highlights, a short unique or funny story, and perhaps some tips on how to make anothers trip to the same place better.<BR><BR>I skip renditions of what was eaten at each meal, how the cab was dirty, why they should not have brought their mother-in-law.<BR><BR>But I may just have a short attention span - I also adhere to the vacation photo theory. That is, no one wants to see more than 5-8 photos of your vacation unless they were either on the same trip with you or have been to the same place. Then the max. is 10.

One of those threads which makes you go: hmmm....

I usually post my reports just because. Hopefully some searcher can use some info. But mostly I do it for myself, kinda like memoirs writing: nobody will read them, but keeps me busy.

Just looking at the list of topics I saw two that immediately made me know you were at it again Faina. TGIF! :D

what i try to do is to go back to any question I have asked and tell what I ended up doing.

FainaAgain, Will you tell us about your trip for chocolates in Switzerland on this board? I promise to read it. Will you be riding the chocolate train?