After Emma and I had our daily constitutional this morning, I got a call on the computer from my son, Daniel, in Burbank, CA. Little did I know that I was in for a four hour geeky computer session. The beauty of it is, since it happened inside my rig, I could hop up occasionally to do things like make lunch or use the facilities while he worked away.
I have a program on my laptop that allows Dan to remotely operate my computer. It’s a little unnerving to watch your cursor fly around the screen when he’s controlling it from a couple of thousand miles away! I’m going to digress a bit now for a little history story. Back a couple or three years ago, Dan said to me, “Why don’t you write a blog about your travels?” My answer to him was, “What’s a blog?” Well, now I know, and since those humble beginnings Dan has wanted me to include a map on the blog.
He had a particular type of map in mind, and neither of us knew how to accomplish that. As he became more familiar with Google maps, he would off and on work on the map. After a little over two years, he called me this morning with the news that he thought he could incorporate the map on the blog. You can now find it at the top of the left hand side of the blog.
It is still a work in progress, and I have quite a bit of homework to do. The map will eventually show all the places I’ve volunteered or visited. He figured out how to link it to Google Earth, and include a picture or two of each stopping place from my photo albums. He, and I, would like to know what you think if you have the time to take a look. You can click on all the options offered, and increase the size, etc.
By the middle of the afternoon, my mind was fried with all this new information, but I was happy to finally see his idea come to fruition. Emma and I headed off to Dyer to do laundry, and have dinner with the family on Phoebe’s true birthday.
I got a pictorial update on the caterpillars while I was there. There have now been a few casualties, but we do have a chrysalis or two for the girls to observe. They spend several minutes each time they are on the porch checking out their progress. Robyn has now told Avery and Phoebe that the caterpillars are going into their sleeping bags to sleep for a while before they come out as butterflies. I raised a pretty smart daughter.
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
Neat chrysalis. What a wonderful thing for them to be able to watch. I will check out the map and give input later! Nice to have a helpful son.
ReplyDeleteVery impressive map and information about the locations marked. Nice to have a techie in the family.
ReplyDeleteNeat looking chrysalis...how neat to watch in open and change.
I left my comment on the map. Its really great. How long will it be a chrysalis before it becomes a butterfly?
ReplyDeleteI had that remote set up a couple of places I worked. I also found it a bit spooky to have that happen.
ReplyDeleteI will give your map a try when I get a bit better internet connection.
I had fun playing with your map. I saw you had listed Lewis and Clark State Park on your map, and I clicked on it and saw that it was the park in Washington. We drove through there the other day when we were staying in Centralia. Did I miss something or is there no way on the map to tell where you currently are staying?
ReplyDeleteThe map sounds fun to have. I'm tempted to figure it out. Stephanie came to my side of the VC and said I only have to work 24 hours/week now. I said, "I know, and totally shocked. But I haven't figured how to keep the trees alive and work three days a week in the visitor centers AND go to Trinity NWR and get more threes three weeks running - I'm still potting up the ones from last week without working 60 - 70 hours a week. Off to water a load so I can get back in time to make breakfast for a friend and then kayak from in Trinity Bay. I'll enjoy your map Wednesday when I'll have enough Internet to get it up.
ReplyDeleteWe've tried maps on our site a couple times but for reasons I can't remember we took them off again.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you explained the map. Saw it last night and thought it was pretty darn cool. Terrific to have your own personal geek!
ReplyDeleteJudy, I love the map! Well done, easy to use, great pictures. Your technical 'advisor' is obviously a pro. Love following your adventures. I don't remember if you are an snook or kindle reader, but I just read a great RV themed mystery that was free at Amazon. "Invisible" , an Ivy Malone mystery by Lorena McCourtney. I urge everyone to read it, it's a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteNot "snook", but ebook, how embarrassing, I didn't proofread....
ReplyDeleteIt must be nice to have a geek in the family. I used to have a friend that wouldnremotely take over my computer and tweak it. Unfortunately he passes away.
ReplyDeleteI like the map. It's a great idea.
It's nice that the girls are enjoying their butterfly project so much.
It's always magical to see the caterpillars transformed into butterflies..As an adult, I sometimes forget where those beautiful butterflies actually came from....Thanks for reminding me.
ReplyDeleteJudy, the map is excellent and I enjoyed seeing where you've been. You've really covered a lot of country and seen so many incredible sights. Kudos to you and your son for all the work on the map.
ReplyDeleteThe only disappointment that I have with your map is that it does not indicate when you were there. That information would be nice to have if I wanted to go into your Archives and read about your experience at that map location.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, your Search This Blog feature will get me to that same end point with just a bit more work on my part.
That map is quite a deal! Very interesting. However, having once looked at it, I suppose it unlikely that we will continue to look at it. Although you will certainly want to keep it updated, I wonder if all the work and time will keep it fascinating enough to your readers to be a draw. That is not a criticism at all, just our opinion. I'm sure many people will find it of interest and value.
ReplyDeleteThat map is really cool. I see you never let the grass grow under your feet. :c)
ReplyDeleteBTW, do you rent your son out?
Thanks for all the comments and ideas about the map. My mom can add the dates and times to the locations if she would like to. That is something I could show her. I agree that the map might be something you may look at one time and then you are done. I know many of you travel around like my mom and when I added each site I tried to add them with phone numbers and addresses in the event that someone might need that info. If you don't have Google Earth I suggest it as a piece of software to get. I found myself spending an hour using it the other day with out realizing it. The earth isn't just what Google Earth has to offer. You can look at Mars and the moon, the later is where I spent my time the other day. I watched the video of the two astronauts putting the flag up on the moon.
ReplyDeleteYes Paul and Marti Dahl, I am for rent. danielsbell@gmail.com
I too have my own personal Geek in my son who also helps me remotely. I'll see if he can help me do something like that once I'm on the road.
ReplyDeleteFor those who want to "rent" a computer geek, if you check out my blog of July 23rd this year, Eric Anderson does just that. if you are interested, tell him I recommended him. He has helped me out when my son wasn't available.
Sorry I got off track, Judy. Thanks for keeping us posted on the butterfly saga.