This week Meet The Travel Bloggers interviews adventure travel blogger Ted Nelson of Traveling Ted TV.
Tell us a bit about your blog.
Traveling Ted TV is an adventure travel portal that is no idiot box. I take readers along on my adventures hiking, skiing, canoeing, and international backpacking and provide tips and inspiration for others to follow in my footsteps to enjoy living vicariously through me.
When, why and how did you start your travel blog?
In 2005 I traveled for three months in Southeast Asia and sent email reports home to family and friends. I had a lot of positive feedback from this experience, so I always wanted to start a travel blog, but I was not sure how.
On top of the highest mountain in Thailand, photo/courtesy Ted Nelson
I first started writing for Examiner, which got me on Twitter. I then saw how others on Twitter had their own blogs and I learned through following them and asking questions, how to get started.
How did you get the name Traveling Ted TV and what does the name mean to you?
I went to school at the University of Tennessee. I now live in Chicago. I’m found on many Saturdays visiting the local watering holes watching my beloved Volunteers and other big college football match ups. I often wear this old school Tennessee sweater that just said “Tennessee” on the front. The group I hung out with began to call me “Tennessee Ted.” When I started a travel blog the name “Traveling Ted,” was a no brainer. (Editor’s note: the entire story is on Traveling Ted TV.)
What is the thing that keeps you the most jazzed about blogging?
I love the interaction with my readers on Facebook, Twitter, and the comments on my blog. I love having people read my work and it is great to get such immediate feedback. The travel blogging community is a lot of fun, and I am really looking forward to making my inaugural TBEX conference in Toronto in 2013.
What excites you about travel?
I love the constant stimuli found in travel. Your senses are constantly being bombarded with new experiences and on top of the sites, the amazing people you meet on the road is just awesome. Blogging and social media have taken my love of travel to a new level as I can immediately share my experiences with others.
Chocolate City during Carnival in Trinidad and Tobago, photo/ courtesy Ted Nelson
From reading your blog, it seems that you’re more of an adventure/backpacking traveler. What, if anything would change your travel style?
Going on press trips definitely changes my style. I usually stay in $2.50-$7.00 hostels or even cheaper campgrounds when I am traveling. Every once in awhile I will splurge at a medium range hotel. I prefer to save my money for the actual travel experience instead of living it up at a pricy hotel. On blog trips you normally stay at places above my usual price range. Other variables could be traveling with other people who may not share my adventurous ways.
Setting out for backcountry wilderness camping in the Great Smoky Mountains, photo/courtesy Ted Nelson
On the road, do you seek out some experiences more than others?
I seek wilderness experiences first and foremost. When I went to Costa Rica, I wanted to go to the wildest national park, which is why I went to Corcovado. Ironically, you would think wilderness experiences lead to meeting less people, but it is actually the opposite. The less there are the more open everyone is to meeting up. Plus, the fact that you are in the wilderness means when you meet someone, you already have something in common.
Is being in your comfort zone important to you?
I have been wilderness backpacking for over thirty years. You can only carry so much in your backpack. You have to make do with what you can carry and adapt to the environment. I think this experience has helped me always stay in a comfort zone. If I am not comfortable, I adapt and make do with whatever is on hand.
Posing with a northern pike in Quetico Provincial Park, photo/ courtesy Ted Nelson
What’s your most memorable travel experience or favorite trip ever and why?
The three month trip to Asia was definitely my highlight. There were just so many amazing experiences and wonderful people that I met on the trip. I was also incredibly lucky. I arrived in Kyoto, Japan the day the cherry blossoms bloomed and left the day they dropped
What’s your favorite place on earth?
I think Thailand has been my favorite country that I have visited so far. There is variety of adventure options like hiking in Khao Yai, adventure tours in Chiang Mai, and then the scuba diving and the beaches in the south. The food is tremendous and the people are incredibly friendly.
Making new friends in Thailand, photo/courtesy of Ted Nelson
Where are you off to next?
I am going to try and swing a trip to Malaysia and Borneo in 2013 and Nepal in 2014.
What’s the biggest fantasy on your bucket list and why?
My biggest dream is to see a tiger in the wild. The best chance to see one would be a trip to India.
Ted Nelson is entering his fourth decade adventure traveling. He has canoed, hiked, and skied all over the U.S. from the Everglades to northern Minnesota and from the Rocky Mountains to the Appalachians. He has also traveled through Europe and Southeast Asia. Follow his adventures on his blog, Traveling Ted and follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Pinterest.
Other posts Traveling Ted has written for Santa Fe Travelers:
Sunsets and sunrises around the world
Experience true wilderness in Quetico Provincial Park
Who are your favorite travel bloggers?
My favorite travel bloggers are the Santa Fe Travelers. Billie and Steve are way cool. Thanks for featuring me on the site. It is always a pleasure.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London: an eternal travel tip
Our pleasure. WOW! That’s high praise. We really appreciate your support. You’ve done more guests posts for us than anyone. Whoot!
Great article!! My husband and I had the pleasure of meeting Ted at the Chicago Travel & Adventure Show this past January. I have followed his Examiner column and Traveling Ted blog for a long time now and always enjoy reading about his most recent travels, near and far. You really covered all the bases with the questions and I learned a lot about Ted that I didn’t know!
I’m jealous! We’ll meet him at TBEX 2013 (I hope).
I already have my ticket. Can’t wait!
Traveling Ted recently posted..Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London: an eternal travel tip
The pleasure was mine Debbie. Hope to see you next January if not sooner.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London: an eternal travel tip
I wasn’t actually familiar with his work before reading this post but I have read some of his stuff now and love it.
Spencer recently posted..20 Luxury Hotels in Cabo San Lucas you simply must check out
You can subscribe to his blog and get his posts delivered to you.
I appreciate you checking out my site Spencer. Glad you enjoyed it.
Traveling Ted recently posted..Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London: an eternal travel tip
You guys I am really loving this meet the travel bloggers thing, it’s so interesting and valuable to me to know other bloggers’ thoughts on things and why they do what they do! Traveling Ted, I started reading your blog in the last few months also (found you through Twitter!) and I love it. I think that’s so interesting and true about the wilderness thing, and how people are more willing to connect there. Thanks for sharing about your life!
Payje recently posted..Gold Mining in Hope Alaska
We are, too. We’d love to have one from you. You amaze and delight me all the time!
ooh neat well I would love to do one! I don’t feel like my life is quite as interesting as everyone else’s but I would still love to!
payje recently posted..Gold Mining in Hope Alaska
It’s all in how you answer-lol. To me your life is VERY interesting. Bears and gold. I’ll email the questions.
Thanks Payje for the kind words!
Traveling Ted recently posted..Speaker’s Corner in Hyde Park, London: an eternal travel tip