Back when we did this post full of fun charts and graphs (concocted from the results of our 2012 reader survey) we learned that you guys are just as into infographics as I am. So in that spirit, I tabulated and illustrated a bunch of random facts and figures that we never want to forget from our recent book tour. Sort of like an info-scrapbook that encapsulates that crazy time in our lives (in under 100 words) so we can always look back on it. So without further ado, here are all the places we went, the adventures we had, and even the pounds that we put on along the way. Enjoy!
* Each of the infograhics above were made in photoshop and the fonts that we used are: Ostrich Sans (free) , Fyra (free), and The Only Exception (we donated).
Oh but one thing that we couldn’t quantify or illustrate was how many fun, kind, and wonderful people we met along the way. We can’t say thank you enough to everyone who took time out of their busy lives to come welcome us to their city. It really means a lot. You made this whole wacky adventure (and all of those hours spent sitting in cars, taxis, and planes) completely worth it and then some.
How do you guys travel? Do you keep track of any stats, like a count of how many countries or states you’ve visited? My mom has a goal of seeing every state capitol in the US (I think she’s over 70% there). What’s the longest flight you’ve ever enjoyed / suffered through? Ever wear the same Target blazer to 22 events? I know some people wouldn’t brag about that, but as a husband I can’t tell you how much I love my lady for it.
Psst- We picked this week’s giveaway winners. Click here to see if you’re one of them.
Sarah says
Love these! I think that will be such a fun way to look back on your first book tour.
The longest flight I’ve ever endured is about 17 hours – East Coast of the US to Johannesburg, South Africa. Good books and lots of snacks are required.
Sarah
YoungHouseLove says
That’s a long flight!
xo
s
Ali says
Love this post. Looks like you guys need to come out to Colorado–you would love it here!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to end up out there!
xo
s
Whitney says
Love this!! I’m a sucker for maps so my favorite is the framed one with all the pins. I get to travel alot for work and for fun too, it can certainly get old after a while going from place to place but the people I get to meet make it so worth it in the end. My longest flight has been DC to Nigeria…14 hours. I still can’t decide if I prefer that over two 7 hours flights which was Chicago to Amsterdam and then on to Uganda. Just booked a flight last night for a trip in May, DC to Ethiopia which will be 13 hours. As long as there are some good in flight movies on it really isn’t all that bad!
Christina @ Homemade Ocean says
WOWZA….I guess I never realized how LONG it actually took you to travel to all those events! That is crazy….but THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU for doing it!!!
Tim & I collect a magnet everywhere we go and on our fridge we have a whole side that we hope to one day fill with travel memories. My mom buys coffee cups so that every morning she can sit and remember her wonderful adventures! So what I am really trying to say is I love Claras keychains :)
YoungHouseLove says
Of course Christina! Thanks so much for coming out to see us! And the magnet collection is so sweet! My great uncle had the most amazing collecton from all over the world on his fridge. When he passed away the entire family tried to call dibs on them. It was really sweet.
xo
s
Alyssa says
Lol Gangnam froze on the TVs!!!!! Love it.
Brianne Heape says
I spy a peachy key chain from GA! (I’m proud of my southern, Georgia roots!)
YoungHouseLove says
Woot!
xo
s
Renee says
I’m impressed w/the 17 books read! i know it’s not at all DIY related, but maybe a book review would be fun! (or not…..maybe for just like 4 readers, myself included!)
and i love the keychain idea- might need to use this one for my kiddos. for ourselves we get the coffee mugs b/c i love sitting down to a cup of coffee in the morning and remembering our different trips. functional memories i call! :)
and how sweet to send to granny! you guys are the best!
YoungHouseLove says
You’re not the first one to ask for more info about the books, so that definitely could be fun. Maybe just an annual rundown of the books we’ve read and our three faves or something…
xo
s
Lindsay says
Wait, I’m confused about “3 pieces of luggage” when one is a backpack, one is a purse, and there are TWO of you!
YoungHouseLove says
John pulled the rolling suitcase while wearing the orange backpack and I just carried my purse (with my iphone and the camera in it for blogging on the go). We could both fit our clothes into the suitcase and the backpack had our computer and other tour stuff in it (our signing pens, our guest book, etc).
xo
s
kelly says
Great post! What an adventure!
Lindsay says
Please Please PLEASE come to Delaware! (Not just to vacation!) You’ve got a following in a Hospital Pharmacy!
YoungHouseLove says
We’d love to!
xo
s
Katy @ The Non-Consumer Advocate says
It was fun, (if too short) to see you in Portland!
John gained eight pounds? That’s like an entire large newborn! ;-)
Katy
YoungHouseLove says
Hahaha! It’s true! The funny thing is that we came home and ate super clean (just to detox from all the bad tour food) and John lost 12 lbs! So he’s actually down 4 lbs no. Hahah! Men.
xo
s
Meredith says
I love the map…I’m still looking for my Mr. Right, but I’ve been TONS of places in my 20s that I may just start one for places *I’ve* been and whenever he comes along we can add to it. :)
Excited to get to Vegas for the first time this summer; the National Scrabble Championship is there this year! Can’t wait!
YoungHouseLove says
Ooh that sounds fun!
xo
s
Wrenaria says
As a graphic designer, I always appreciate a good infographic! Thanks for sharing these!
Also.. YAY BOOKS! Are you guys on GoodReads? I would totally follow you there.
YoungHouseLove says
We’re not, but it sounds fun! We’ll have to check it out!
xo
s
Wrenaria says
Definitely should check it (goodreads.com) out if you guys spend much time reading. Lets you keep track of what you’ve read and when, write and read book reviews, create “to-read” lists, and categorize your books into custom categories (or “shelves”). You can follow friends or people with similar book tastes so it’s a great way to find new books you may not have known about before.
YoungHouseLove says
Sounds awesome!
xo
s
Lauren says
This is an awesome post. Congrats on completing your tour! Have a wonderful weekend :)
Grace Nielsen says
These stats were SO much fun! Still thrilled and delighted that my daughter and I got to meet you in Portland! Thank YOU for your book – and your tour – and taking the time to sign and visit with us! PDX WOO YHL
Robin @ our semi organic life says
I love infographics! Way to go!
Carly says
I had a keychain collection as a kid! Now we collect magnets and a little something for the bookshelf. And looks like the midwest is kind of empty on your map board.
Steph says
I can totally see why John loves the one blazer. If I don’t have an outfit pre-planned, I take FOREVER getting ready! This fall/winter I kind of make a fall back outfit rule, whenever I can’t find something to wear, wear a cute cardigan/tank top/jeans/boots. Easy to change up and easy to throw together. Sort of the same idea for the one blazer!
Maybe Philly will get it together and you can come here for the next book tour :)
gemma@thesweetestdigs says
Ha – thank goodness for no audio on the Gangham style freeze! I love that tune… but might make folks a little cray-cray.
Love the keychain collection idea – would be cute in a shadowbox!
hjc says
I did a similar “by the numbers” report for our church when our mission team got back from Ecuador. It’s a fun way to let others in on the “feel” of a trip. Our list included 165 servings of starch (at least three at every meal!). Our pounds gained would have been a lot more than 8! Thanks for sharing your trip, your book and your lives! Happy Weekend!
Amber says
Sherry I love that you wore the same blazer. It’s like the sisterhood of the traveling pants! So cute!
Powerpuff says
My brother and I get fridge magnets from different states/cities that we traveled to for my mom. Her fridge has so many magnets – it’s fun to remember where we’ve been!
Mel says
The book Room has been sitting on my bookshelf waiting to be read for ages. This is the 3rd time that book has shown up in funny ways around me. I guess it’s a sign I need to read it! I’m reading Running With Scissors right now. You guys might like it. Anyway, great post as usual!
YoungHouseLove says
I read that a few years ago – I think at Sherry’s suggestion!
-John
Shauna @Satori Design for Living says
Too bad Alberta wasn’t on your list. Love the graphics and Clara’s keychains. My husband has an eraser collection from his childhood and my son has buttons and pins. Pretty pointless, but they’re fun to look at.
Emily H. says
I had/have a keychain collection, too! I have them all strung together, and all together it’s over 13 feet long! It made a great dorm room decoration/conversation piece, but I’m trying to figure out a better way to display them now…
Maybe if Clara gets enough keychains, you could do a project on that! ;)
Renee says
I love infographics and John you did a great job with these! Loved the book pic. Gone Girl was a good one, right? Weird ending though.
YoungHouseLove says
Yes! We had to percolate on the ending a while but after a bunch of discussions I think we’re cool with it. They’re just that damaged that it makes sense I guess. Haha! Although I know a bunch of people who still hate it months later after lots of percolation. Hah!
xo
s
Heather says
I’m such a stat nerd, I love this. I also love that you started a collection for Clara AND it’s something that she can play with and add to!
Brittney Everett says
That is a REALLY cool Post!!!!! I want to do one like that and turn it into a framed photo of our lives!
Karla@{TheClassyWoman} says
I really loved this breakdown and the images to go along with it. You guys are so creative. :) As a Canadian who grew up in Toronto (recently moved to FL) I had to let you in on the fact that Ontario is a Province, not a state. ;)
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, that’s why we have parenthesis around the title and a little note about DC and Ontario :)
xo
s
Bob says
Congrats?
Karen says
I really don’t understand this obsessive interest in whether or not Sherry is pregnant. It’s freaking weird how people manage to work it into the comments on ever single post, no matter what the topic is.
If you’ve read Clara’s birth story, you’d understand there are reasons they are waiting and you’d know that Sherry is apprehensive about another pregnancy… so they are waiting til the time is right for them.
Mind your own business, people and give them a break and some privacy.
Claire says
I couldn’t agree more with you, Karen.
Steph says
I agree :/ You know how most people want to keep it quiet the first few months of a pregnancy? That’s really hard to do when it’s at least weekly that they have to put a “no, not pregnant!” out there. I just can’t imagine ever asking someone face to face if they are pregnant, I think it’s how people act different anonymously over the internet. I feel so weird even reading those comments because it’s such a personal topic!
Holly says
Wow! You have been BUSY!!!! Nothing like a good statistical summery!
Our family of 4 travels by car a lot. When we go road tripping we always shout “NEW ROAD” when we take a highway or freeway that we have never traveled before.
suki says
crazy fun infographic! i’ll have to consider keeping track of things for the trip this summer to copenhagen. :-) i foresee a really high # of beers i’ll try!
Heather W says
Definitely agree with the book post… I love to read and actually picked up the Gone Girl from a comment you made awhile back. Loved it and have since read all three of her books all of them were very good. Will have to check out the ROOM…
Also, just heard NATE…IS…BACK…ON…TV!!!!! It is gong to be a home makeover competition show on NBC this fall (sounds like design star sort of but making over real peoples homes) and he will be the host, mentor etc. Its called Renovation Nation CAN NOT WAIT must set up DVR stat! Love everything about him.. so excited must share news..hahaha
YoungHouseLove says
Ahhh, that’s so exciting!
xo
s
Starr @ The Kiefer Cottage says
Nice to see y’all pack so light!
I’ve traveled to Asia a few times, and those flights are interminably long. My husband and I are soon going on a cruise to the southern Caribbean–it’s a bit travel “lite” for us, but we wanted to relax and enjoy some sunshine rather than adventuring this time. I’m bringing about ten books and a boat load of sunscreen.
Tracey says
FYI: Ontario isn’t a state. It’s a province.
YoungHouseLove says
That’s why we did quotes around that and included the little note about DC and Ontario right in the graphic :)
xo
s
Claire says
This is the year of insane amounts of travel for me. I am living in Salt Lake City and my husband stayed behind in the Bay Area since this is a temporary assignment for work. On top of the fact that I travel on average once per month for work (thankfully most of it is back to my Bay Area office… yay free trip to see husband!)
Since moving in October I have been on 23 individual Southwest Airlines planes and I have another 6 planned individual flights between now and April 11th. After that I know I’ll be in Vegas, Wisconsin, Bay Area x2, and Seattle before the end of August. That will tack on another 12 planes to my tally.
YoungHouseLove says
Wow!
xo
s
Sayward says
um, YHL BOOK CLUB??!?! You should TOTALLY pick a book, give us all a month or so to read it, and then both post your thoughts on Young House Life and let us blow up the comment section!
Kinda like an intellectual version of the Pinterest Challenge, in the sense that we all get to participate.
You’d be like Oprah! I need this in my life.
(This suggestion brought to you by an 11th grade English teacher)
Sayward says
p.s. you’re my packing kindred spirit. I went from PA to Cali for ten days with a little carry on suitcase and a purse. HOLLER!
YoungHouseLove says
Love that!
xo
s
YoungHouseLove says
Haha, that would be fun! Maybe once or twice a year though since we don’t get as much reading in as we’d like when we’re not on planes all the time. Haha!
xo
s
Koliti says
Love the fun & colorful factoid presentation.
John, you are the Infograph Grand-Master!
Longest & most un-fun trip I took was driving from Tucson, AZ to Daytona Beach, FL with my sister and her huband when they moved – they only wanted to drive, drive, drive and not stop and do anything fun along the way – BOO! It took a looooong time to drive through Texas – now that’a a BIG state.
Jams says
Not book tour related, but I see that you guys have been to Iowa! I grew up there and it will always have a special place in my heart, but I’m always surprised when others have been.
YoungHouseLove says
Oh yes, my BFF’s whole family lives there, so I even brought John there to meet them all before we got married. They’re like my family too! Haha!
xo
s
Sarah says
I love tracking the states we travel to on our travel map. Making it to each of the 50 states TOGETHER is on our bucket list & moving around for the military has helped up put a pretty good dent in that list during the time we’ve been married (in 2.5 years we’ve managed to knock out 18 states. More if you include states we have driven through but have not stopped to do anything in. We don’t think those count). I get so much satisfaction from sticking a new pin in our map :-)
Audrey says
You guys are awesome :)
Katie says
Hello!
Just wondering where you can find the graphic you used for the map of Canada? It would make a perfect stencil for those silhouette pillows that I see on Pinterest.
Katie
YoungHouseLove says
I just googled “canada map outline” and found it and adjusted the color/traced it in Photoshop. Hope it helps!
xo
s
Penny Lynn says
John……is your marker even uncapped for that book signing pic???? Your facial expression makes me think it’s a staged pic….but that makes it even better I think!!
YoungHouseLove says
I think his whole marker is upside down! Haha! Maybe he was finding his spot (flipping to the page we sign) with the back of the pen?
xo
s
Emily says
Where did John get his bicycle socks? They would be a great gift idea for my cyclist hubby.
YoungHouseLove says
Those were a gift from a reader at a signing, but they’re made by Sock It To Me. He loves them!
xo
s
Susan @ Sweet Little Nest says
Love the blazer rerun. Back in my dating days I always wore the same outfit on first and second dates so I didn’t stress about what to wear. Now my husband always wants me to wear the black and gray plaid skirt and black sweater on the anniversary of our first date.
YoungHouseLove says
So cute!
xo
s
Andrea Worley says
what a fun post! that key chain collection is adorable!
LARY@ Inspiration Nook says
Absolutely love this!!! Your GFX are always so rad. Still wish L.A would’ve been part of the tour or wish I could’ve driven to Palo Alto. My hopes on meeting you guys is still alive. As cheesy as that sounds.
YoungHouseLove says
Aw you’re so sweet Lary!
xo
s
Tammie K. says
Y’all are just the cat’s pajamas!!!
From urban dictionary–Super hip. Amazingly sweet. Fantastically cool.
Jillian {Her Split Ends} says
So glad you guys had such a fun trip around the world…well country!! I we pumped to see you in the A-T-L and hope to see you again soon!!
XO
~ J