I made my maiden post one year ago on May 30th. I had no idea if I would stick with it. I had no real idea even why I was doing it. It just sounded fun and was one of those things I thought I would regret if I never tried. I was worried if creeps and weirdoes would abound. It turns out blogging has been a fun outlet for me with no weirdoes at all. The blogosphere has been an inspirational and supportive system. It even encouraged me to join Instagram (bulldogtravels) and Twitter (@finulamarie) ! (If anyone has a teenager I could borrow to better show me how to use them I would be willing to feed them!)
I was hoping blogging might get some of my travel-related restlessness out of my system. The reality for me is blogging and following so many wonderful travelers on their journeys has only left me wanting to see and experience and photograph more places. The bucket list is growing not shrinking friends! I have been taken to places I never dreamed of going to or seeing through other blogger’s posts.
I am grateful for every click, like, and comment I have received over the past year. I still get excited every time I get a new like, comment, and especially followers. I am humbled that anyone would enjoy my writing or photography enough to follow me! People have viewed my blog from 43 countries! Wow! I hope to keep your attention and interest over the next year. I hope to double my followers over the next year! I have a trip to Ireland planned over the summer and lots of smaller trips that will surely be blog-worthy. I am also particularly excited about a photography expedition I have planned with a Bay Area Zoo. Stay tuned for more Bulldog Travels to come!
In honor of my Blogiversary I want to do something I have never done before. Since David Letterman recently retired I will borrow something from him and give you a few fun Top “Ten” lists.
*Top Seven Favorite blog postings (From before I had a lot of followers),
*Top Five Most Supportive and Inspirations Blogs I am following, and
*Top Eight most liked and commented posts
Top Seven Personal Favorite Blog Postings
(My personal favorites from the early days before I had many followers)
- Arches National Park
- Mushroom Festival Postings
- Mendocino Botanical Garden (Dahlias)
- Winged Victory of Samonthrace
- San Diego Zoo
- Random Zoo Postings
- My Happy Place…part two Garden of Eden Maui
Top Five Most Supportive and Inspirational Bloggers
(Some of my favorite blogs and personalities in no particular order)
- Indah Sustani @ Indahs: Travel Story & Photography
- Terri & James @ Gallivance
- Crystal Trulove @ Conscious Engagement
- Marisa LaValette @ SavvyCitiZen
- Darwin on the Rocks and Around the World
Top Eight most liked and Visited Posts this year
(Most Visited, liked, and commented on posts)
- Travel Fails
- Travel Journal
- Relics of a Trip Gone by
- Negative Star Dining
- Something new, something old
- Belize Butterfly Sanctuary
- Belize Botanical garden
- Various Photo Challenges
Thanks again for those of you out there who have supported me! Happy Travels!