I realize not many people have been reading from the start of this blog, nor do I really expect a new reader to dig through dozens of past articles, so here’s a handy guide to the best of the site (so far).
Your introduction to what’s going on
This blog chronicles the travels of Joel Ward (me) and my random thoughts as I head to various points around the globe with nothing but a bike and whatever I can carry.
- There Is No Plan – a summary of where I’m headed and what I’m doing. Sort of.
- 12 Things I’m Looking Forward To While Traveling RTW – daydreaming, with photos…
- Confessions of a Cultural Idiot: a four part series where I talk about past travels and what I want to do differently as I embark on long term travel
My favorite posts
These are not background posts, but they’re the ones I enjoy the most:
- Seven Ways My Trip Already Kicks Ass – this is the post I look to for what I ultimately want the site to become. Full of optimism and fun but with my own particular snarky, offbeat humor.
- 5 Ways to Save Big Money for a RTW trip – more a pure comedic play, I turn savings tip posts on their head.
- Everything I Need to Know About Travel, I Learned From The Doctor – when travel and geekdom collide, humanity wins. You may not care about the sci fi elements, but there’s some fun perspective on how to make travel even better.
- Miami: From Douche Til Dawn – my first real foray into writing a destination-specific post. Sure, it’s scathing in its critique of Miami, but it still makes me laugh.
Guest posts
I’m honored to have been asked to provide some guest posts to other sites. While they’re not about my current journey, they’re some great posts on some great sites:
- Nine Warning Signs of Empty Travel on the site A Pair of Panties and Boxers - a bit of comedy about the downside of traveling on an expense account. Written for Monica Wong, who has a wonderful blog about travel – with spectacular stories and photos.
- Six Things to Love About Los Angeles on TravelDave.com – while I’m heading off for some wonderful adventures, here are some of the things I’ll miss about my adopted city. Written for David Douglas, traveler, writer & photographer who was looking for a perspective of LA to counter the bad press it gets.
Sites that have featured the Freedonia Post
Special shout outs to some sites that have helped promote the site from the start.
- Matador Network – The amazing Candice Walsh profiled a number of people who left the confines of an office environment for the unknown in a photo essay.
- TripBase – A blogger chain letter convinced hundreds of travelers to share their secret travel tips. Mine were a bit out of the ordinary with the “3 Travel Secrets They Don’t Want You To Know,” but yet they made the cut in the recently released series of ebooks. Download them here and for each person who downloads, they are donating $1 to Charity: Water to supply clean water in developing nations.
- The Expeditioner – My cultural idiot series was featured here very early on – my first shout out from another travel site.
- Travelblogsites.com – The Freedonia Post was wonderfully reviewed on TravelPod‘s site. Now if only I can someday crack their list of Top 100 Travel Blogs.
- SuzyGuese.com – Suzy’s weekly highlights of travel blogs. I was proud to be featured the week of May 3, 2010
- BeATravelBee.com – Joya Anthony’s round-up of weekly travel bites chose the Freedonia Forums to promote the week of May 14th.
- NeverEndingVoyage – Erin and Simon are in the midst of an ongoing journey around the world. The Freedonia Post was called out as a key “Next Generation of Travel Blogs” – the Star Trek implications definitely appealed to me.
- AsWeTravel.com – Nathan and Sofia enjoyed my post about Seven Ways My Trip Already Kicks Ass.
And, thank yous go out to too many fellow travelers to count who’ve supported me along the way before I’ve even left. Connections made on Twitter, Facebook and other places online have sparked a number of real life meet-ups and friendships. For a list of blogs I enjoy, check out my Links page.
He Joel – terrific idea for a post. Thanks for clueing me into some of your older gems.
.-= Matt´s last blog ..Crossing the Cook Strait With Interislander =-.
Thanks Matt – seemed like a way to give everyone a little background. Works for TV shows, anyway!
Joel – Your decision to travel RTW is amazingly brave. As I change daily diapers, I’ll be living vicariously though you and checking your progress often. I wonder… how many In-N-Out burgers can be stuffed into a backpack? Not so much for sustenance, but for currency.
I’ve got a cooler and dry ice all set to be strapped on the back of the bike. Fortunately, they’re still good when re-heated.
Franchise opportunities in Italy await!
This is a great idea! Thank you for clue-ing some of us in on your more tenured posts.
.-= Erica´s last blog ..New Page – Takayama, Japan =-.
My pleasure, Erica – happy reading!
See, I knew you’d come up with an idea that I’d love to steal. With giving you credit of course, if that is alright? I love this idea! Will check out the posts soon!
.-= Jeremy´s last blog ..Fellow Blogger Contest: Win $200 in Accommodation Vouchers from Hotels Combined via Stephanie at Twenty-Something Travel! =-.
Thanks Jeremy – I also made it a sticky post in WordPress (hard to find feature) so it’ll stay at the top of my homepage for a few weeks, then I may move a link to the sidebar.
we should always for some travel tips from different travel sites on the internet for a more accurate information “”
I’m totally the crazy person who went all the way back to the beginning of your blog to catch up with everything (I’m OCD like that!). Read your guestpost @ apairofpainties&boxers & had to read more!
Like I said, I’m still catching up, but I can’t wait to start reading about your travels!
haha – thanks! And good luck! There’s a lot to sort through. I don’t think I could read all of them in a row!
most travel sites have very nice webpages and their services are very nice too. ,-;