Thanks! (and / or) Welcome!
One of my favorites, Chomsky the Garden Gnome!
Were you to look at high school photos of me and my misinformed fashion choices, your logical – and correct – assumption would be that I was not “popular.” I came through it just fine, pride intact, but in the event that I needed a little redemption and reassurance, I got some today.
This week, many of you voted for Go BIG or Go Home to make Christopher Elliott’s “12 travel bloggers you should read in 2012” list. And while I’m THRILLED to report that we’ve come in at #5 on that list (!!), I’m also deeply touched that hundreds of people who like this blog took the time to vote.
Thank you.
If you are finding us for the first time because of this list, thanks for stopping by! You’ll learn more than you need to know in the About Us section, but here’s the gist: We’re a small-town family of four who visit places, attractions, and events which claim the title of world’s largest, longest or tallest. We share why we went, what was cool about it, and how we would rate it on a scale of one to ten!
Sometimes, the kids complain as if they’re being dragged along the world’s longest sidewalk under a scorching sun (well, actually, they were).
Other times, I get to be the Mom Who Makes Dreams Come True.
The Brick Kid makes his pilgrimage to the world's largest LEGOLAND
Usually, my husband Matt is totally on board, and more than willing to pack up the car with enough tech to launch a rocket.
Other times, he would rather stick a red hot poker into his eye.
I always find something to enjoy in our adventures. (Except maybe for South of the Border. That place is just creepy.) I revel in the unexpected moments, like:
Watching the kids take in nature, with nothing remotely virtual, electronic, or 4-D being offered.
The world’s second largest botanic garden, in Montreal, QC
Discovering that I kill at shuffleboard!
and…
Falling inappropriately in love with an oversized lawn ornament (see Chomsky, above).
Have you visited a “world’s largest?” We would love to hear about it!
ha ha ha! I LOVE that you mention South of the Border. We went to school in Georgia and would count down the miles to it as we went back and forth to Philly over school breaks. My boyfriend (now hubby) hated the place. I always wanted to stop and check it out cause it was so creepy looking.
Love your blog, glad I got in on the voting and can’t wait to see what Big adventures 2012 brings you all. With the new baby due this spring I’ll be doing a little couch traveling through you for at least a couple months 😉 Bring on the adventure!
Thank you! We have some BIG plans for 2012! At the top of my bucket list: to see the world’s largest ball of twine!
That is funny, I am from Kansas and have never visited the “ball”. Now it is a must do when we get back home. We travel 13 weeks at a time, but maybe I can send you a picture when I head back that way. Congrats on the list and that is how I found you.
Thanks for finding us, Keith! I can’t believe you’ve never been to the world’s largest ball of twine! I visited your site and see that you’re in WY. There are plenty of “world’s largests” there, too. Check out Roadside America’s list: http://www.roadsideamerica.com/location/wy/all. And please do send me photos, or post them to our Facebook page! http://www.facebook.com/GoBIGorGoHomeBlog
Congratulations, Traci, you deserve the honor!
But I have to play Devil’s Advocate regarding South of the Border.
For every South of the Border detractor, there is at least one fan; in this case, that’s me! I love staying overnight on our road trips from NY to FL, where else are you going to find such a perfect snapshot of American ignorance? Along with the cheapest hotel rooms on our route, we get a spectacularly bad interpretation of Mexican culture that reminds me why we travel.
Thanks! Actually, South of the Border has a certain retro appeal. I loved all the neon coloring the horizon the night we were there. We stayed for dinner, and getting sucked into that time warp was both entertaining and scary at the same time!
Congrats! Traci. You definitely deserve it!
Whoo Hoo – Next you should go for world’s biggest fan club! Love reading your posts.
Congratulations!!! Well deserved acknowledgement for all the time, effort and LOVE you put into this Blog. Look forward to all your adventures in 2012!!!!!
Congratulations Traci. Nicely done. Personally, I think that a revote is needed because you were in second place every time that I checked. There was an “e-bay-like” conspiracy at play here. Someone waitied until the last minute and then unleashed a bunch of votes. Your fan base won’t be outdone next year. Fifth is awesome, but we will do even better for you next year!!! Happy holidays. Thanks for your entertaining blog.
Congratulations on making the top 12!