Thoughts on traveling safely

No, I’m not really thinking about seat belts and car seats and whatnot. Ever since we started planning our trip out east, I’ve been debating on whether to mention online when we’ll be out of town.

I’m torn on the issue. On the one hand, the house won’t exactly be empty as the dog and dogsitter with be there, and it’s not like I have posted my address on the blog. On the other hand, it just doesn’t seem to be prudent to broadcast to up to 800 visitors a day (and that’s not counting the twitter followers and Flickr friends) that I’m out of town. On the other other hand, I’d like to have the freedom to blog and post pictures and tweet as we go along and share the trip in real time. On the other other other hand (see, mothers really do need four hands!) I do not want to feel stressed about getting something posted just for the sake of it, and I know myself well enough by now to know that may become an issue. (Obsessive personality much?) On the other other other other hand (yep, I could use five hands these days) I will also dread facing a week and a half of blog constipation, let alone the anxiety of facing four thousand unposted photographs, if I don’t do it as I go along, and if I’m going to go through all that bother anyway, why not just post them as I go?

Yeesh, I’ve stressed myself out just thinking about it. Aren’t you glad you’re not married to me? Poor Beloved, I really am like this a frightful amount of the time.

Yes, we’re leaving soon. Ish. (waffle much?) Yes, I’m excited. Yes, I have a bunch of posts half written and ready to schedule in case I do decide to go for a stealth departure. No, I’m really not very good with secrets.

What would you do?

Edited to add: Not exactly related to this post, but I had to laugh when I read this article in today’s Citizen about the top five most photogenic places in Maritime Canada. Number one? Lunenburg, five minutes from where we’re staying. And I’ve got three of the five on our itinerary. “No Beloved, I swear I did not plan the entire vacation around a photo op.” *pause* “Much.”

Author: DaniGirl

Canadian. storyteller, photographer, mom to 3. Professional dilettante.

8 thoughts on “Thoughts on traveling safely”

  1. A dilema for sure. A friend will blog while away. His blog is commentary so no one would notice (or know) where he is, unless its something specific to his locale. For me, my blog is a photo blog. It is somewhat erratic on the postings, and as such, no post for a week (or two) is not a big deal. I do not say I’ll be away though, because its not what my blog is about (not me, my photos), and I have a nice collection of images for future posts where I’m happy to say where I’ve been and the images captured. That and I don’t have the time or desire (or gear, I loathe bringing my laptop) on my vacation to process RAW files all the time. 🙂

    In your case? Blog away, its an open journal of events. I’m sure if someone reading *really* wanted to get into your house they could. A locked door keeps an honest man out. Seems like a lot of work though, to read the clues, hunt down the info to find your locale somewhere in the city.

  2. i’ve blogged while on vacation about the vacation. i never really thought much of it. then i read some posts about people not posting about being on vacation and i wondered if i was being careless. if you’ve got someone staying in your house i wouldn’t worry much. and like don said, if someone is going to try and find out where you live i think robbery is the least of your problems. that would be a stalker!

    have fun, either way!

  3. while you are blogging away on vacation, just do not forget to talk about the really big cousin from out of town who is staying at your place while you are away. you know, the ex wrestler cousin. with a penchant for hunting. and weaponry;).

  4. Really, we travel with every gizmo known to man in the car. There ain’t much left to sell that’s pawnable in the house… occurs to me, that if I was a thief, there would be better ways to figure out if someone’s home or not than to read blog that may or may not belong to that person. Just saying…

  5. A vacation should be relaxing. Do what makes u feel good. … No great! We have a no electronics policy on our holidays, kids and parents alike. Btw lunenberg is fantastic!!!

  6. Lunenburg is really lovely. But I’m surprised Peggy’s Cove didn’t make the list. Isn’t it like the most photographed place in Canada? Maybe they’re trying to branch out.

    As for what I would do, I’m torn on this myself. During our recent trip I wrote and scheduled blog posts in advance, and covered the trip when I got home. But we were only gone 5 days. If it was longer, I would probably be discussing it, because I would want to be able to share my travels.

    I suspect that criminals are sort of lazy. The likelihood that one would chance across your parenting blog and act on that info is probably remote.

  7. Just take a break from the blog – you’re on vacation for God sake! Enjoy every moment (and I mean… every moment) with your kids and your hubby. The blog can wait your return. Think about what is most important to you. We can catch up on your travels when you’re back. Feed us you canned posts, that’s fine. We’ll survive. The real question is obvious… Will you?

  8. Ha, Nat, you’re right! Everything worth stealing is wedged into the car and if you want to steal the furniture — please do! And Angela, you’re so clever, I didn’t think I’d even told you about ex-wrestler cousin Bruce. Did I mention he’s an ex-Navy Seal, too?

    Annie, the blog *is* what I do to relax!

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