As you may already know, or have guessed, I've had to do things a little differently to keep EatStayPlay.com operating. In 2008, I took several jobs (working in a tax office, teaching, direct sales) so I could continue to run EatStayPlay.com in my "spare time." I also did away with the members-only site and opened up 100% of our information, free and without registration, just like I'd always planned for EatStayPlay.com.
Read on to find out how you can help and to see what changes I have in store for you. I'll send out an email about each update as it happens.
Geocaching is a new outdoor sport that I've recently gotten involved with. The basic idea is to locate hidden containers, called geocaches, and then share your experiences online. Geocaching is a treasure hunting game played throughout the world by adventure seekers equipped with GPS devices. I'm adding GPS coordinates to the attractions on EatStayPlay.com and linking each attraction to Geocaching.com. That way, when you visit a campground, you can also find out what geocaches are located nearby!
You can read about some geocaches that I've found on my blog at: http://eatstayplay.blogspot.com/search/label/geocaching
Adding a printable driving map to our attractions. This is one of those cases where technology had to catch up to the idea! We've always wanted to take our "Driving Directions" information one-step further by offering printable maps. EatStayPlay.com has partnered with Google Maps to offer printable maps to the attractions. These use either the GPS coordinates or the attraction name.
The launch of the new and improved newsletter. I know you've missed receiving it and I've certainly missed writing the newsletter! The newsletter will be back, with an updated format. And, I'm also adding a searchable database of all our articles.
Offering information about private campgrounds. You asked for it and we're providing it! Sometimes nothing beats camping at a fully-developed private campground. You know, one with showers, cable TV and wi-fi? Well, we're expanding our listing to include private campgrounds across the US. To suggest a campground or find out how to list yours, go to EatStayPlay.com/Add/SuggestPrivateCG
Now, all of these new changes and additions will take time and operating capital -- that's business speak for moolah, cash, money, the green stuff, etc. So, here's how you can help:
Buy something from us:
I have expanded the product section of EatStayPlay.com. You know that we already offer EatStayPlay.com tee-shirts and other merchandise through CafePress.com. One of our top sellers is the Fishing Princess tee shirt. Mother's day is coming up, and graduation, and SUMMER, so check out CafePress.com today for tees for the favorite woman in your life.
We also offer Grandma Lamure's Spice N Slice and the EatStayPlay.com line of eGuides. I'll continue to expand the offers with other strategic partners. Keep an eye on the "Store" for more products you can buy.
Link to us
Spread the word! You can find banners promoting EatStayPlay.com at EatStayPlay.com/Banners that you can put on your website, blog page, etc. I've also got text links that are perfect for emailing, putting on Facebook, Twitter, etc. The more people who know about us, the better off we are!
Donate your time & services:
Can you write up something about your city or your favorite place to go? Do you have great photos that you want to share? I can't pay you, but I'll give you credit and it'll help me a lot! To find out what I need, go here.
Donate your money:
All of these updates are on the way, but I need your help. EatStayPlay.com is bare bones already: I've cut expenses, I don't take a salary, and I write checks every month from my personal bank account straight to EatStayPlay.com. Nobody is getting rich off this.
Here's what your money will be used for:
- I'll be hiring student researchers this summer to put GPS coordinates onto our attractions, starting with campgrounds. More GPS coordinates means that you'll be able to find more geocaches and better printable maps.
- We'll be adding information about camping (both private and public campgrounds) in more states. This means that I need to have money to pay the researchers who find this information and get it up on the website.
So, if you like EatStayPlay.com and if you want to see these updates, then I'm asking you to donate just $10.00. (More is good too, but I'm really just asking for $10!) Even a few bucks can really help offset the costs of keeping us up and running.
I promise that there will be tons of exciting changes in the months ahead. I'll be in touch!
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