Dear Retro Roadmap Readers,
The Technical Difficulties that have been happening lately with the Retro Roadmap site are really bumming me out, and I feel like I should apologize to you guys. Sometimes I don’t even know they’re happening, until a kind reader heps me to the fact that the site is down, or the link doesn’t work, or the map is wrong.
I hope these glitches in “service” don’t make you not like Retro Roadmap, as that would bum me out even more!
As I’ve said – and I know it’s not cool to make excuses, but this is the truth – I’m just one gal, trying my darndest to share all of the cool old places out there. While I hope to soon make some money from Retro Roadmap, I currently do all of this outside of my regular full time work hours, while still having time for Retro Roadhusband and RetroRoaddog. I know, wah wah, poor me. But I’m just trying to share the facts.
I don’t know much about code. I don’t know when my server goes down. And those things aggravate me even more when I don’t know how to fix ’em myself.
And while I am learning more about the technical aspects of all this, I only have a few precious hours to devote to the site, and that learning time cuts into the time that I try to do what I (think I) do best, which is sharing the cool old places and things around us.
I DO know where to tell you to get some great fried clams. I CAN tell you if there’s a vintage diner in your area or other neat spot to see. And if I can’t do those things, I’d like to think I’ve got some good Retro Roadpals (and a cool little community of readers like you) who can help out if you have questions.
So please, don’t give up on Retro Roadmap if the site is down or something doesn’t work the way it should be!! Please instead tell me – modbetty AT RetroRoadmap DOT com, so I know something weird is going on and I can fix it, or get it fixed.
And while these things set me back a bit, I’m determined that they won’t derail me from my appointed route. There are cool old places that need to be praised and visited, and it’s my goal to spend as much of the rest of my life sharing them with you all!
Honestly sincere,
Beth / Mod Betty
Matt Smallwood
March 8, 2012 at 3:48 pmI don’t think you know how great this site is . And you only do this in your free time. Please ModBetty…..totally no apologies necessary. I LOVE THIS SITE AND ITS GREAT CONTENT!!!! It truly rules!!!!
Mod Betty
March 8, 2012 at 4:52 pmAw, thanks Matt. I honestly didn’t write it to be pity-pantser, but I’m really glad to hear you like the site! I just want folks to know that the Man Behind The Curtain is actually just lil ol me in my keds and cardigan, so I’m doing the best I can.
Matt Smallwood
March 8, 2012 at 3:50 pmWho is RetroRoaddog? Is that really your dog??? 🙂
Mod Betty
March 8, 2012 at 4:53 pmRetro Roaddog doesn’t get to come on a lot of Retro Roadtrips with us, because we’re cautious about him staying in the car too long when it’s warm out, but he’s a constant companion here at RRMPHQ – here’s a photo of him https://www.retroroadmap.com/about/ , we just love him to bits!
Lizzie
March 8, 2012 at 4:04 pmReally, this is just beyond your control, and your site is so awesome that it should not matter if it goes down occasionally. Keep up the fantastic work!
Mod Betty
March 8, 2012 at 4:50 pmThanks Lizzie! I know you know the feeling, but ya just gotta keep on going 🙂
Matt Smallwood
March 9, 2012 at 2:50 amLet me ask you this, Betty. Could you use an occasional volunteer/contributor? If you’d like to try my photos out, I’d be happy to snap away on future trips. I am taking a road trip in two weeks to south- central Illinois from the Philadelphia, Pa area. Know where Effingham, IL is? That’s the end of my journey….or I may visit a cousin in St. Louis. Anything you’d like photographed on the i-70/US 40 corridor on this route?
Mod Betty
March 9, 2012 at 10:39 amMatt- I LOVE to get submissions from Retro Roadmap Readers – thanks so much for the offer! I want this to be a communal place where people can recommend places they’ve been and share their knowledge with everyone. Keep us posted about your road trip!
Matt Smallwood
March 9, 2012 at 1:02 pmYou got it, Betty!!!! I will shoot some pics and submit them to you by the first week of April then. Thanks for the positive vibes. 🙂
Mod Betty
March 9, 2012 at 1:34 pmMatt- thanks yourself for sharing the positive vibes – they’re definitely working! Caffeine for the Retro Soul 🙂
Jason
March 9, 2012 at 7:24 pmWow… you work!? Full time!? Pardon my ignorance, but I was under the impression perhaps you were retired… or between jobs at the very least. I couldn’t imagine putting together a site like this and doing all the traveling you do while working 40 hours a week, too.
Without you and this site, I likely never would have tasted the wonder of a Zandy’s cheesesteak or discovered the magnificence of Salem Willows. And I almost even got my wife to agree to a trip to Blobfest last year (maybe this year…). I can’t vouch for anyone else, but I won’t be straying any time soon, technical difficulties or no.
Mod Betty
March 9, 2012 at 8:15 pmJason – your words inspired me to get off the couch and get in front of the computer proper – at my desk, and not propped up on my knees, so I can get back to Retro Roadmap writing! Yes, I work full time, and pretty much all of my free time I spend thinking I should be working on RRMP, but I’m lucky- we don’t have TV or kids, so those are 2 things I don’t have to worry about. And even if I wasn’t doing RRMP publicly I’d still be out scouting cool old places for myself. I honestly don’t mean to whine, I mean I don’t Have To do any of this, but when I hear from folks like you I think, “yes I do! who else is going to tell people about Zandy’s or Salem Willows, or the Koolwink Motel?” – ok, onward and forward! Glad you’re along for the ride 🙂
Jen
March 11, 2012 at 11:15 pmBetty, anybody who’d ditch the fabulousness of Retro Roadmap just because of a few technical issues must be a few Tupperware pieces short of a full kitchen!
I know you’ve had some issues with the site acting up lately, but am sure they’ll be figured out soon. It can be a bit much to wrap one’s mind around. Do your best, I’m sure it’ll all get figured out!
Unfortunately, gas prices and the rising cost of everything else means we have had to cancel this year’s trips. But if you see anything I post on my Flickr gallery (the ongoing Route 66 show, especially since my favourite lens died three weeks ago!), I’d be happy to work up a post or three for you! Just shoot an email!
Mod Betty
March 12, 2012 at 9:25 pmAw Jen, thanks for the “buck up lil camper” moment – I needed that! I guess I’ve been reading too many of these website tips things that say “oooh, if your page loads slowly, people will bounce out and never come back again!” things so I think they’ve got me wound up for maybe no reason. I do wish there were more regular commenters like you, it would be neat to know if people had been to these places etc. But I’m sure if I research my Google Analytics deeply enough I’ll figure out if people are liking what they’re reading or not.
SUCH the bummer about gas, and rising costs, and lenses busting! Perhaps you’ll find that there are some hidden gems close to home for you? I try to tag along with Retro Roadhusband when he’s on tour, so that helps us double up on our “work”.
And thanks for the “guest blogger” offer – I’d love if you could do that, if it was fun for you! We can chat about that for sure!
Jen
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmBetty, anybody who’d ditch the fabulousness of Retro Roadmap just because of a few technical issues must be a few Tupperware pieces short of a full kitchen!
I know you’ve had some issues with the site acting up lately, but am sure they’ll be figured out soon. It can be a bit much to wrap one’s mind around. Do your best, I’m sure it’ll all get figured out!
Unfortunately, gas prices and the rising cost of everything else means we have had to cancel this year’s trips. But if you see anything I post on my Flickr gallery (the ongoing Route 66 show, especially since my favourite lens died three weeks ago!), I’d be happy to work up a post or three for you! Just shoot an email!
Mod Betty
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmAw Jen, thanks for the “buck up lil camper” moment – I needed that! I guess I’ve been reading too many of these website tips things that say “oooh, if your page loads slowly, people will bounce out and never come back again!” things so I think they’ve got me wound up for maybe no reason. I do wish there were more regular commenters like you, it would be neat to know if people had been to these places etc. But I’m sure if I research my Google Analytics deeply enough I’ll figure out if people are liking what they’re reading or not.
SUCH the bummer about gas, and rising costs, and lenses busting! Perhaps you’ll find that there are some hidden gems close to home for you? I try to tag along with Retro Roadhusband when he’s on tour, so that helps us double up on our “work”.
And thanks for the “guest blogger” offer – I’d love if you could do that, if it was fun for you! We can chat about that for sure!
Jason
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmWow… you work!? Full time!? Pardon my ignorance, but I was under the impression perhaps you were retired… or between jobs at the very least. I couldn’t imagine putting together a site like this and doing all the traveling you do while working 40 hours a week, too.
Without you and this site, I likely never would have tasted the wonder of a Zandy’s cheesesteak or discovered the magnificence of Salem Willows. And I almost even got my wife to agree to a trip to Blobfest last year (maybe this year…). I can’t vouch for anyone else, but I won’t be straying any time soon, technical difficulties or no.
Mod Betty
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmJason – your words inspired me to get off the couch and get in front of the computer proper – at my desk, and not propped up on my knees, so I can get back to Retro Roadmap writing! Yes, I work full time, and pretty much all of my free time I spend thinking I should be working on RRMP, but I’m lucky- we don’t have TV or kids, so those are 2 things I don’t have to worry about. And even if I wasn’t doing RRMP publicly I’d still be out scouting cool old places for myself. I honestly don’t mean to whine, I mean I don’t Have To do any of this, but when I hear from folks like you I think, “yes I do! who else is going to tell people about Zandy’s or Salem Willows, or the Koolwink Motel?” – ok, onward and forward! Glad you’re along for the ride 🙂
Matt Smallwood
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmLet me ask you this, Betty. Could you use an occasional volunteer/contributor? If you’d like to try my photos out, I’d be happy to snap away on future trips. I am taking a road trip in two weeks to south- central Illinois from the Philadelphia, Pa area. Know where Effingham, IL is? That’s the end of my journey….or I may visit a cousin in St. Louis. Anything you’d like photographed on the i-70/US 40 corridor on this route?
Mod Betty
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmMatt- I LOVE to get submissions from Retro Roadmap Readers – thanks so much for the offer! I want this to be a communal place where people can recommend places they’ve been and share their knowledge with everyone. Keep us posted about your road trip!
Matt Smallwood
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmYou got it, Betty!!!! I will shoot some pics and submit them to you by the first week of April then. Thanks for the positive vibes. 🙂
Lizzie
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmReally, this is just beyond your control, and your site is so awesome that it should not matter if it goes down occasionally. Keep up the fantastic work!
Mod Betty
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmThanks Lizzie! I know you know the feeling, but ya just gotta keep on going 🙂
Matt Smallwood
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmWho is RetroRoaddog? Is that really your dog??? 🙂
Mod Betty
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmRetro Roaddog doesn’t get to come on a lot of Retro Roadtrips with us, because we’re cautious about him staying in the car too long when it’s warm out, but he’s a constant companion here at RRMPHQ – here’s a photo of him https://retroroadmap.com/about/ , we just love him to bits!
Matt Smallwood
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmI don’t think you know how great this site is . And you only do this in your free time. Please ModBetty…..totally no apologies necessary. I LOVE THIS SITE AND ITS GREAT CONTENT!!!! It truly rules!!!!
Mod Betty
October 17, 2018 at 1:04 pmAw, thanks Matt. I honestly didn’t write it to be pity-pantser, but I’m really glad to hear you like the site! I just want folks to know that the Man Behind The Curtain is actually just lil ol me in my keds and cardigan, so I’m doing the best I can.
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