Wonderful Road Trip readers

EUREKA, Calif.--As a writer, I often wonder whether anyone is actually reading my stories. But in the wake of the story I published yesterday previewing the two-week technology-related road trip I'm taking around the Pacific Northwest, I now know the answer.

First of all, as I sit here at Old Town Coffee and Chocolates in this coastal town about 110 miles south of the Oregon border, I have to shout out my gratitude to the reader from Tacoma, Wash., who offered me a bed on my journey. I really appreciate it, but I don't think I will be coming through Tacoma.

The other interesting thing I found is the number of companies who read about the many gadgets I am testing on the trip and wrote to offer me theirs to try out. Several of them said they would be able to get the devices--at least three different GPS-related products--to me somewhere along the route.

The most impressive offer, though, had to be a 2007 Subaru to try. I really appreciate that, but I think my own Subaru would be a little insulted by that. Insert smiley here.

Maybe the most useful e-mail of all came from one reader who noted that I had said I would be visiting Craters of Moon National Monument in Idaho. He wrote to tell me why I should skip it and instead go to a number of other natural attractions in that part of the world. Duly noted. I think I may well take him up on the suggestions.

In any case, it's wonderful to know that people are interested in my project and are reaching out to me. I didn't expect it, and it's a nice artifact of the way we are all instantly connected in this modern age.

Anyway, please do continue to follow me as I wind my way through northern California, Oregon, Washington, British Columbia, Idaho and Nevada. I'll need the company.