And The Winner Is...

That's Shanyn of Chick Loves Lit in Big Rapids, Michigan!

Send me (carawb at gmail dot com) your email address and we'll get you your gift card tout de suite.

Thanks to everyone that entered and a great big CONGRATS to Shanyn!

Make No Mistake . . . Here's a Great City on a Lake!

Am I the only blogtrotter who wants to shout TGIF from the rooftops?! TGIF! TGIF! TGIF!

I am so thrilled that today's blogtrotting stop brings us back to my home state of Ohio and to one of its three awesome "C" cities. Sure, growing up outside of Cincinnati, I've heard plenty of negative hype about Cleveland over the years, but each time I've visited Cleveland, I have been impressed by how much the city has to offer. The Lake. The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Many great suburbs and neighborhoods for raising families. It's even a foodie hotspot these days!

So . . . what are you waiting for? Sheila from Ma Vie Folle is ready to represent Cleveland with pride. Enjoy!

Ma Vie Folle

Please leave a comment to let Sheila know you stopped by.

If you haven't signed to be a Blogtrotter yet, please do so!

And pretty please, don't forget the Awesome Amazon Giveaway! It ends today, and we don't want you to miss out.

Rest up over the weekend so you're ready for Monday's stop. Hint: Everything is bigger here!

Poetry and Polar Bears

One of the reasons we started BlogTrotting was to find the amazing places around the world that we might never have otherwise. Places that only chance would find us actually visiting. Places like Garson, Manitoba in Canada. You won't even believe how amazingly beautiful it is there.

Mailis is a truly gifted writer. Her poetry is emotional and haunting. Her depiction of her home is one that truly can't be missed. She sprinkles humor over the telling and makes it more than just a travel brochure. She brings heart. So get on over there and visit her:

Dark Sparks (and fire flakes)

Please leave a comment and tell her where you're visiting from! We all live for comments, so please, please, please reward her hard work.

Tomorrow, we're heading back to the US. A hint: The name of this city used to have another "A" in it, but it was dropped because they needed a shorter version to fit on the city newspaper's masthead.

Have you entered the $30 Amazon.com gift card contest yet??

From Under The Pile

We're heading to Michigan today for a visit with a blogger who is one busy lady. She's a nurse, wife and mother of four, including two and a half year old TRIPLETS. Whenever I get whiney and complainey about life with my two year old, and I do more often than I care to say, I try to remember that Jen has three of them. But she handles it all with grace and humor. So head on over to see her at:

Buried with Children

Be sure to leave a comment and tell her you're coming by from BlogTrotting! Tomorrow we're heading north. Here's a hint: It's known as the land of a 100,000 lakes.

Finally, go enter our contest to win a $30 Amazon.com gift card!

Brokedown Giveaway!!

Oops! We've got a flat tire! That means we're out of commission for today, but we'll be back on the road tomorrow. So while we wait for the tow truck to come along and help, why don't we have a little giveaway!

I'm not going to lie, I have spent a LOT of money on Amazon.com. It is pretty much my go-to place for online purchases. They've got just about anything you could possibly imagine and they offer free shipping for most purchases over $25. So I guess we should go over $25, huh? Well, how about $30! Sounds good to me.

How to Enter to Win a $30 Amazon Gift Card:

1. Comment on this post. Tell us your favorite vacation location.

For extra entries:
2. Sign up to be a featured BlogTrotter.
3. Follow BlogTrotting.
4. Tweet (mention @Blogtrotting1 or #blogtrotting or #blogtrotter) or blog about this giveaway. (with link, if applicable)
5. Visit one of our past featured BlogTrotters. Leave a comment on their post. This can't just be a "hey, stopping by for the contest" comment, either! You can get extra entries for every REAL comment you leave on past features. (Illinois, Maryland, Ohio, Ontario, Florida, Virginia, Tennessee, New York, Australia, Greece, Arizona, Ohio, Massachusetts, Colorado, Switzerland, Illinois, Idaho, Wisconsin)

YOU MUST LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT ON THIS POST FOR EACH OF 2-5 THAT YOU DO TO GET THOSE EXTRA ENTRIES. If you have already signed up or done a BT post or already follow, just leave a comment saying so.

We'll close the giveaway this Friday, February 26, 2010 at 5pm EST.

And come back tomorrow when we resume our travels! We're visiting a family who knows a thing or two about buying in bulk. And their location? Hint: It is the "cereal capitol of the world!"

Wisconsin Foodie

Don't let the large foam hats fool you, Wisconsin cuisine is about far more than just cheese. Which isn't to say that cheese isn't one of the greatest things ever created. It is one of my personal mottoes that EVERYTHING is better with cheese and I stand by that. But there is so much more.

Susie is a gal after my own heart. She can appreciate a delicately decorated cupcake and a salty bratwurst. So let's head over to see her:

Susie's Homemade

Remember to leave a comment! We want her to know the BlogTrotting crew has been through town! If you haven't signed up to host your own tour, what are you waiting for?

Tomorrow we're heading back east. A hint: It was the birthplace of eight US presidents.

Potatoes and Glass Slippers

iAll week I've known that I'd be writing today's blogtrotting introduction for Cinderella from My Life's Graffiti and her virtual tour of Moscow. "Wow!" I thought to myself, "I wonder what life is like in Russia. Probably cold, for sure." Plus, with the Olympics going on right now, I had all these eighties cold war flashbacks.

And then, I visited Cinderella's awesome blog and realized that she lives in Moscow . . . Idaho! I can' t wait to learn more because as a lifetime Midwesterner, I don't know nearly as much as I would like to about the Western United States.

And, can I just say that Cinderella, a college student, is so stinking adorable. Promise me that you will check out the photo of her and her boyfriend (aptly called Prince Charming on the blog). You won't be able to keep from smiling!

So, I just know you are ready to go to Idaho . . .

My Life's Graffiti

Please remember to leave a comment to thank Cinderella for the Moscow tour. And, if you haven't signed up to be a BlogTrotter yet, do it! Spread the word to others if you can (see widget on right).

Enjoy your weekend and come back on Monday when we'll be back in the Midwest. Hint: At least two different towns in this state celebrate "Cheese Days."

Bonus Tidbit: I read an awesome book a couple of years ago that was set in Idaho: All Over Creation by Ruth Ozeki. Worth checking out.

Blow Me Away!

We're heading back to the Windy City! I've been to Chicago several times over the years and each time it burrows its way deeper into my affections. It has a big city feel, but with that midwestern sensibility, a down-to-earthness, that is so endearing.

Our visit today is with a blogger who is so creative. You've probably seen her designs all over the internets, including a few of our featured bloggers (MEP's blog, Not to Brag, is an NW Designs masterpiece)! But she's a whole lot more than just a bundle of graphic design fabulosity, she's super funny and warm and she has two of the cutest kids around.

I am certain that Nap Warden will give us a spectacular tour! So head on over to see her:

Nap Warden

Don't forget to leave a comment and tell her what corner of the world you call home! Please, please, please!

Tomorrow we're heading to a part of the country that we haven't visited before. A hint: It is considered the birthplace of television.

Globetrotting in Heels

The name of Elisa's blog was too awesome not to use for the title of this post. Let's face it . . . trotting--whether of the Globe or Blog variety--is where it's at these days!

Those of you who are so tired of looking at snow and going stir crazy with school cancellations and arthritic due to shoveling will especially enjoy this post and its marriage of sunshine and snow.

Please check out Elisa's post "Island Girl Meets Mountain Boy" and experience the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to visit Sardinia and Switzerland in one trip.

Globetrotting in Heels

If the post leaves you missing the mountains, check out Monday's blogtrotting trip to Denver.

And tomorrow? Back to the snow, but the cold temperatures will be worth it! Where are we headed? Hint: There is an awesome free zoo in this neck of the big city woods!

Winner Winner Chicken Dinner!

Actually, it's not a chicken dinner, it's a fabulous wall decal!

Katy of What Katy Did Design was kind enough to donate one of her beautiful Fairy Wren vinyl wall decals to be given to the lucky winner of our contest from last week.

Because of all of the different ways there were to enter and it wasn't quite as easy as picking comment number X, I decided to do the tried and true method of drawing a name out of a hat. I was going to do a video, but I had a biopsy taken on my nose today and I look kinda funky*, so you'll just have to take my word for it.

The winner is:

Momisodes!

Sandy, email your address to me at carawb at gmail.com and we'll get your wall decal to you asap. Hopefully in time for the arrival of your new baby girl!!

And to everybody else, thanks for playing along and being a part of BlogTrotting. If you haven't already, go see Momisodes and Katy and all of the other fabulous bloggers who have welcomed us to their homes!

*TMI?

Rocky Mountain High

When I think of Colorado, I think of mountains, fresh air, Coors Light, and lots of physically fit, rosy-cheeked, outdoorsy people who prefer to hiking to watching television. I've only been to Colorado twice so I could be totally wrong about what life is like there.

We'll see if today's tour of Colorado will confirm or explode my cliched impressions of this great Western state . . .

Today's guide is The Joyful Housewife, whom I already consider a kindred spirit since she describes herself as suffering from Chronic Disorganization Syndrome. I also enjoy the playful and honest spirit of her tagline: Domestic Bliss, Eventually.

So, are you ready to blogtrot? Let's go!

The Joyful Housewife

Enjoy the tour and please remember to leave a comment to let The Joyful Housewife know you stopped by.

Check back again tomorrow. Where are we headed? Hint: The Duggars aren't the only things worth counting in this state!

Good Bun Hunting

Having visited Boston at least twice a month for two years while my hubby (then boyfriend/fiance) lived there, I admit that I thought I had the city figured out. I've walked along the Charles River, tried to feel smart in the bookstores of Cambridge, hit the Freedom Trail, overeaten delicious Italian food in the North End, visited bars all over the city, reveled in the accents, and used three pages of Mapquest directions to drive to a Circuit City that was 1.5 miles from my hubby's apartment.

But there's even more greatness* to Boston than I knew . . . You will love today's blogtrotting tour of Boston's Chinatown, brought to you by Momisodes in honor of the Chinese New Year. She knows where the best buns and pastries in Boston can be found. You and your growling stomach will love this tour! Happy Chinese New Year!

Momisodes

Please leave a comment to let Momisodes know how much you enjoyed her tour of Boston and please check out her fantasically-designed blog while you're there. I just love the creativity of her Momisodes concept.

Remember, the fairy wren decal giveaway ends today! Go forth and enter.

Enjoy your Valentine's Weekend and be prepared -- we head for the mountains on Monday! Here's a hint: We're visiting the only U.S. state that lies entirely above 1,000 meters (3,281 ft) elevation.


*That's greatness even beyond the fact that my adorable brother, sister-in-law, niece, and nephew live just outside of the city

It's a Small World

I was racking my brain trying to think of something clever for the title for this post, but the truth is that the name of today's featured blog is absolutely perfect. Both for her AND for BlogTrotting. I was lucky enough to meet E... this past summer at Blogher and let me tell you, she is every bit as warm and smart and funny in real life as she is on her blog. Also, she has great hair. Just sayin'.

As we hinted at yesterday, the mystery town of romance that she calls home is Loveland, Ohio, which is terribly appropriate as we are just around the corner from St. Valentine's Day. So head on over and check out her blog:

It's a Small World

As always, be sure to leave a comment! We all love 'em, so make your presence known! Tomorrow we're going to visit a really awesome blogger. She gave me a tip on what she's writing about and you do not want to miss it. A hint about her locale: The technology to mass produce and distribute frozen foods was created here.

As a longtime frozen pizza addict, I say thank you.

**The beautiful Fairy Wren vinyl wall decal giveaway continues until Friday at 5pm. Have you entered yet??**

ToDAZE we're in the desert!

Chicago finally got some of the snow so many other states have been covered with for days now, and my hubby just arrived home with tales of the 65 degree sunshine he experienced during his business trip to Phoenix. Was I envious? Of course not because today, my friends, we blogtrotters are visiting Arizona for ourselves . . .

Our tour guide is none other than Arizona Mamma. You'll love her blog, Our Daze in the Desert, especially the adorable illustration in the header, her daily features (Tasty Tuesdays--need I say more?), and the blog's tag line: Surviving the heat and six little feet.

Are you ready for a glimpse into life in the desert? Grab your sunglasses, SPF, and short sleeves and let's go . . .


Arizona Mamma's Our Daze in the Desert

I don't know if she's accepting visitor requests from pasty, pathetic bloggers (who me?) looking to escape the snow, but make sure to leave AZ Mamma a comment to let her know you appreciated her tour.

By the way, did you know that Arizona has had more female governors than any other state? Have you heard that one of the seven wonders of the world is in Arizona? What about the lyrics to that George Strait song -- "I've got some oceanfront property in Arizona"?

If you haven't signed up to Blogtrot yet, do it today. Please.

And tomorrow, join us for a tour guided by one of my best friends in the world. Where are we headed? Hint: You would want to postmark your wedding invitations or Valentine's Day cards from the post office in her town.

Have you entered to win the totally cool and beautiful fairy wren wall decal yet? You have until Friday, but do it today!

Greece Is The Word!

After our visit to sunny Australia, we're heading halfway around the world to the Mediterranean. Our destination today: Greece. Our tour guide: Loukia. She lives in Ottawa, Canada, but she spent a portion of her childhood in Greece and visits frequently now with her family. Soaking up the thousands of years of history, the beautiful architecture, the lush landscape and lets not forget about the FOOD! I just know you're going to love her. She's funny and honest and touching and has really great taste in shoes and handbags. And I'll bet she's one heck of a tour guide! So head on over to see her at:

Loulou's Views

Be sure to leave a comment and let her know what corner of the world you're visiting from! Tomorrow, we're heading back to the US. We'll be continuing on with another sunny destination. Since I am currently enjoying about 25 inches of snow, with 12-20 more to come tomorrow, I know I can use the Vitamin D. A hint:

It was the last contiguous US state admitted to the union.

**The beautiful Fairy Wren vinyl wall decal giveaway continues until Friday at 5pm. Have you entered yet??**

G'Day Mates!

Today we're going far, FAR away. So far away, in fact, that as you are reading these words, our host for today is already in tomorrow. Known for kangaroos, koala bears and Fosters, Australia also has teeming metropolitan areas, world class cultural institutions and some of the most gorgeous actors*, er, I mean, landscapes in the world. It also has some awfully funny and creative people, like Katy! So head down under and check out her blog:

What Katy Did Design

For a special treat, we'll be giving one of Katy's creations to a lucky reader! It's a 15cm x 25cm (that's roughly 6"x10" for the metric-challenged) matte black vinyl wall decal of the Australian native Fairy Wren. How great would this look in a living room or a kid's room or even on a window? Seriously, this thing is awesome! Be sure to check out her Made It shop for more of her fabulous creations.

To enter, leave a comment for each of the following that you do:

1. Visit Katy's blog and leave a comment. Make sure to mention you visited via BlogTrotting. (required)
2. Sign up your blog under your state or region to be a tour guide. If you've already done so, just say that in your comment.
3. Follow BlogTrotting. If you're already a follower, just mention that in your comment.
4. Tweet (@Blogtrotting1 or #Blogtrotting) or blog about this contest (leave a link to your post in your comment)
5. Recruit new tour guides for BlogTrotting. They must mention YOUR name in their sign-up comment (#2 on this list).

Contest will end Friday, February 12, 2010 at 5pm.

**************************
I know you're all going to be crazy jet lagged, but we're turning around and heading back to the Western Hemisphere tomorrow. Here's a hint: 

Natives of this area enjoy eating Fiddleheads. 

*Swoonworthy Aussies: Sam Worthington, Mel Gibson (circa Mad Max), Hugh Jackman, need I say more?

I want to be a part of it . . .

Central Park. Carrie Bradshaw and Co. The Statue of Liberty. Wall Street. Hot dog and pretzel vendors everywhere you turn. Chinatown. 30 Rock. Some of the best restaurants in the world. Grand Central Station. Jon Gosselin's bachelor pad . . . my list only scratches the teeniest, tiniest, most generic surface of what The Big Apple has to offer.

New York City is such an exciting, vibrant place to visit and explore. Great opportunities for walking, eating, and people-watching. I always leave feeling as if I've walked for miles and wondering what it's like to live in NYC.

Today we get an insider tour of New York courtesy of Babe in Babeland--writer, actor, and mother. Please don't forget to leave a comment to let Babe know you stopped by!

Babe in Babeland

Have you signed up to share your corner of the world with the Blogtrotting community yet? If not, what are you waiting for?

Get plenty of rest this weekend because Monday, we're leaving North America for the day. It's a long flight for a short visit, but I promise the trip will be worthwhile. Where are we headed? Here's your hint: January 26th is a very special day in this (big) corner of the world.

Also, how about three cheers for CaraBee for all her hard work doing the coordinating, scheduling, twittering, and introduction-writing that make Blogtrotting so much fun!

Go Vols!

We're heading to a state I visited for the very first time just this past November: Tennessee. I was awed by the beauty of the mountains and the kindness of the people. Even when I was sitting in crazy Pigeon Forge traffic (and anyone who has ever been there knows, it is unreal), I was surprised by how courteous everyone was. But don't let that deter you, because Shannon is one heck of a tour guide and it is definitely worth it. So head on down to her little slice of heaven:

Welcome to the Nut House 

As always, don't forget to leave a comment and let her know what corner of the world you're visiting from! Tomorrow, we're heading northeast. Keep your fingers crossed that the blizzard that is rumored to be heading that way doesn't bury us all! Here's a little hint:

Toilet paper was invented here in 1857. (And we are all so very grateful for it!)

PS - For those unfamiliar with the Orange and White, the Vols are the nickname for University of Tennessee students and athletes, named for the volunteer soldiers and their significant contribution during the War of 1812.

Carry Me Back To Ole Virginny

We're turning back north again. Today we're visiting Zahra in Arlington, Virginia, just outside our nation's capitol. She's right down the road from me (40 miles or so down the road) and we just got another half a foot of snow last night, so bundle up for your visit:

Khoresht-e Catfish

As always, don't forget to leave a comment and let her know what corner of the world you're visiting from! Tomorrow, we're turning west-ish. Here's a hint:

It is home to the largest underground lake in the United States.

The Sunshine State

Didn't I say we'd be heading for some warmer weather! Our next stop is in Fort White, Florida with Michelle. I checked the weather and while there are some clouds on the horizon, the high will be about 70, which, if you're anywhere like where I am (it's 26 degrees right now, brrrr), that sounds positively divine. Oh, and the drink I mentioned yesterday is Gatorade, named after the University of Florida Gators. So head on over to:

I'm Changing My Name to Ouisa

As always, be sure to leave a comment and let her know where you call home! Tomorrow, we'll be turning back north. Here's a hint:

The first peanuts grown in the United States were grown here.

Get Your Passports!

We're off on our first international tour today! We're heading true north for a visit with Kat in Ontario, Canada. I have heard so many great things about Ontario, I just know Kat is going to show us a great time. So head on over to see her at:

Out of the Cloud

As always, be sure to leave a comment and let her know what corner of the world you call home! Tomorrow we'll be heading back south for some sunshine (hopefully!). Here's a little hint about where we're going:

A popular drink was named after a state university mascot.