Traveler Tuesday – Mike of Mike’s Road Trip
When I first moved to the Phoenix-area I immediately started trying to find bloggers to connect within the region. I joined a Facebook group of bloggers and quickly connected with my old pal Cacinda of Points & Travel and she gave me a list of other Phoenix-based travel bloggers to connect with, one of which was Mike of Mike's Road Trip. I got to meet Mike in person at a local media event and we've even had an opportunity to have lunch, a rare thing as neither Cacinda or Mike ever seem to be in town – one of the downsides of having fulltime travel blogging friends! Mr. Misadventures and I absolutely adore road trips so I really enjoy Mike's blog!
Let’s meet Mike!
[1] When and how did you become a traveler?
Circumstances. The economic downturn of 2008 forced me to make some life-altering decisions. I never dreamed that my passion for travel would turn into a profession.
[2] What kind of traveler do you define yourself as?
I love road tripping. Having the ability to go where you want, when you want is very liberating. I love to explore and see what is down those paths less traveled. I tend to gravitate toward upper scale lodging and fine dining, but I’m just as comfortable camping and fixing something to eat by a fire. I guess you could define me as a versatile traveler.
[3] Which country do you come from/call home?
USA
[4] What do you crave from home when you are traveling?
Goose Down bedding and pillows.
[5] Tell us about your blog
Mike’s Road Trip is about discovering those hidden gems of the road and sharing them with other adventurous and discerning travelers. Whether you live vicariously or by example, we will do the exploring, so you can have an adventure!
[6] What do you love most about traveling?
Exploration. Learning. Culture. I think travel has been my greatest educator and is nourishment for the soul.
[7] What do you dislike about traveling?
Air travel.
[8] How do you prepare for a trip?
Depends on the trip and duration, but generally, I make a list of everything I have and want to see/do, with dates and lodging information. I make sure all of my hotel reservations, flights, car rental, etc. are in Tripit, an invaluable travel mobile app. I will often print out a map of all of my destinations so I have a visual idea of where I’m going. I like to have a destination in mind, but not a route. I make sure I am packed well in advance and arrive at the airport with plenty of time to check a bag and get through security.
[9] You have won the lottery, now tell us where you want to live.
Multiple places! The rural area of coastal Spain. Flat in Prague. Island retreat in Lombok.
[10] Travel essentials – 3 things you always travel with.
iPad. Camera gear. Snacks.
[11] What is your favorite article of clothing?
Hugo Boss suit.
[12] Your single most treasured personal possession.
Before I started shooting digital I created some photo albums of my travels. Each has not just photos, but things from my trips, i.e. tram or museum stubs, currency, etc. I used to keep track of the exchange rate during the trip so I can look back and compare.
[13] Do you have a piece of advice for bloggers starting out?
Be sure this is what you really want to do, today there is so much competition and it is much more work than you think it will be. Really figure out and stick with a niche.
[14] What are three other blogs that inspire you?
Two for the Road
Travel Continuously
Fearless and Far
[15] Your favorite travel resource on the web?
Google!
Mike's Lightning Round of Favorites
Airport: Bangkok or Phoenix.
Mode of Transportation: Car. Road Trips all the way!
Window or aisle: Aisle
City: Krakow
Country: Indonesia
Travel Gear: Drone
Travel snack: Nuts
Book: Atlas Shrugged, but travel related, maybe Travels by Michael Crichton
Movie: The Usual Suspects comes to mind.
Song: American Pie by Don McLean (favorite road trip song).
Quote: “We live in a wonderful world that is full of beauty, charm, and adventure. There is no end to the adventures we can have if only we seek them with our eyes open.” – Jawaharial Nehru
Thanks Mike!
You can keep up with Mike on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and of course on his blog, Mike's Road Trip. Wherever you catch them, I am sure you will enjoy his road-tripping adventures!
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It’s so much fun visiting other places! Thanks for sharing! Such a cool idea. 🙂
This is such a great idea! Indonesia is high on my list of places
It’s one of my favorite countries in Asia!
Traveling as a profession is really cool! Thanks for sharing about Mike, will check out his site.
Hey Belle, those of us in the industry really are fortunate. Thanks for checking out my site. 😉
I would love to travel like he does and learn about other places and cultures!
This is a great idea for a series! Camera gear and snacks are some of my favorite travel must haves, as well!
Mike seems like a cool guy. I like Mike’s black car. I want to travel like Mike!!
Ugh I totally agree that flying is the worst part of traveling! It feels like it eats up so much time you could be using to do something else even though the actual time in the air is shorter than other ways of traveling.
@Ann, as I get older I am less and less patient with the airport and airlines!
Ahh, I’d love to travel too. This is so interesting to read. I like to keep little things from the places I get to visit too.
I love exploring new places as well. I will have to check his blog and see the places that he’s been to.
@Lyndnee, absolutely do! You will enjoy it!
Fun post! I follow mikesroadtrip on Instagram and enjoy getting to “meet” the man behind the pictures. 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
@Juliann, he is pretty cool!
Umm, what a fun interview! I wonder why Bangkok for fave airport?? Such a great way to get to know someone, love this.
@Nancy, so many of the Asian airports are amazing! Glad you liked the interview!
This is a cool interview, Mike sounds like a cool guy. I also especially like road tripping, it is such a fun and freeing experience each time. The destination helps but I just love doing it!
@Melissa, me too, I love the road tripping journey!
I swear by my life and love of it that I will live for no man and ask no man to live for me. Great book. My favorite too.
I love these Traveler Tuesday pieces. Mike seems like a guy I could hang out with and share a coffee. I don’t know about wearing a suit and experiencing culture but I guess worse things have happened. Great advice about how hard blogging really is. You have to be dedicated and in it for the long haul. If you don’t have a passion for the work, not just the perks, then it might not be for you.
@Ed, I don’t fancy fancy stuff either, but from time to time I can clean myself up 😉
I agree with Mike on the travel essentials. If I know that we’re going to be traveling some where I always make sure that I have my camera and some snacks in the car for the Hubs and I.
This is a really fun interview style, Andi! I love all the questions, how short and sweet it is, and especially the lightning round! It’s fun to learn about a new blogger I’m not familiar with. I’m intrigued by Mike’s advice to stick to a niche. I think that’s really common (and successful!) advice for bloggers. Something I haven’t managed to do myself… I think of myself as having a broader blog with a couple specific niches within it (gf travel being one). Don’t know if that still counts as being a niche though!!