2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race, AlaskaThere's a whole lot of harness-banging going on in Anchorage, Alaska today. I'm at the March 6th ceremonial start of the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race - the Last Great Race - taking place across the Alaskan wilderness.

MUSHERS FROM NEAR AND FAR

Dog mushers come from as near as Willow, Alaska and as far as Aberdeen, Scotland and St. Anne, Jamaica to compete in this 1,049 mile trek to Nome, Alaska. Seventy one mushers will guide their sled dogs as they manuever over Rainy Pass, the highest point on the trail, through bumpy Nikolai, and over frozen tundra, eventually reaching Nome, Alaska.

Quick mushers are rewarded in Cripple, an abandoned mining town and the race's halfway point. The first musher to Cripple is rewarded with a $3,000 check.

CHICAGO MUSHER COPES WITH CANCER

Chicago Musher Pat Moon has been dealing with more than logistical problems as he tackles this Iditarod Sled Dog Race. Moon, 33, has been fighting non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, a blood malignancy. Iditarod Update: Unfortunately, Moon crashed into a tree on Tuesday while navigating a gorge and had to be dropped from the race.

JAMAICA ROOKIE

Jamaican Iditarod Sled Dog Musher Newton MarshallAnother rookie musher, Newton Marshall of Jamaica, will have to cope with drastic Alaska weather conditions. Unlike his native Jamaica, hurricane-velocity winds and blizzards are common as the trail crosses Norton Sound to Koyuk.

WHO WILL WIN 2010 IDITAROD SLED DOG RACE?

Who will be the first to cross the finish line in Nome, Alaska? Will it be Alaska's Jeff King? The 54-year-old King, a four-time champion, hopes to end his Iditarod career with a bang. I certainly remember holding puppies at his Husky Homestead Tour in Denali Park.

What about Lance Mackey of Fairbanks, Alaska? Mackey hopes to win his fourth straight Iditarod race.

Let's not forget about DeeDee Jonrowe, a breast cancer survivor, Jonrowe started the 2003 race just three weeks after finishing chemotherapy.

Young musher Dallas Seavey, 22 of Seward, hopes to follow father Mitch Seavey, the 2004 Iditarod champion, in bringing home the title.

On the other end of the age spectrum, Chuglak's Jim Lanier, at 69 years of age, will be singing to his sled dogs as he races the Iditarod. Lanier, along with his wife and son, serenaded us at the Musher's Banquet with their beautiful voices. Is that what keeps his dog's running?

Finally, four-time champion Martin Buser of Big Lake, Alaska, holds the race record of eight days, 22 hours and 46 minutes.

Who is your favorite to win the 2010 Iditarod Sled Dog Race?

Thank you to the Anchorage Convention & Visitors Bureau and Alaska Travel for allowing me and inside look at the Iditarod Sled Dog Race.

Photos and video by Nancy D. Brown

Enjoy Horseback Riding Vacations - Visit Writinghorseback.com Travel blogs are bubbling up faster than popping corn in a microwave oven. What makes a travel blog unique? Obviously the travel blog has to be well written and have wonderful photos; it also has to have a highly-focused niche that is often searched for on the internet.

My niche - horseback riding vacations. 

Passion for Travel and Horse Lover

At Writinghorseback.com, I've combined my passion for travel with my love of horses. It made sense to launch Writinghorseback.com, as I'm not the only horse-crazy fool who jumps at the chance to go on a horseback riding vacation as often as possible.

Writinghorseback.com will serve as your guide to horseback riding vacations and equestrian travel deals. As I'm already traveling to wonderful locations for my newspaper and magazine articles, I thought it made sense to have a website devoted to the best horseback riding vacations. 

An Icelandic Horseback Riding VacationAs the site grows, I plan to offer lodging and equestrian-based horseback riding vacation discounts to subscribers. My first exclusive rate is for a trip to Iceland to ride the Icelandic ponies. I will also be writing horse-related tack and riding apparel reviews.

• Swim in a waterfall after horseback riding in Kauai, Hawaii
• Ride horseback to a bootlegger still in an abandoned coal mine in Wickenburg, Arizona
• View an osprey nest before horseback riding on the beach in Olema, California
• Learn what to look for in a solo horseback riding vacation
• Relax in a hot tub after horseback riding on Ten Mile Beach in Mendocino County
• Come share your horseback riding vacation discoveries at Writinghorseback.com

If you are a fan of social media, please consider becoming a Writing Horseback Facebook Fan. Not only will you find me on Twitter @Nancydbrown, I'm also the equestrian tweeter behind @Ridinghorseback.

Iditarod Champion Jeff KingIt's winter and I'm wearing my Muckluks to break them in for my upcoming trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks, Alaska. Only problem is, I live in Northern California, so my two teenagers are giving me the look.

I've snow-proofed my Arctic Mukluks with water repellent and added the felt inserts to keep my feet toasty warm as I watch the start of the Iditarod Race and while I'm checking out the ice sculptures at the 2010 World Ice Art Championships in Fairbanks, Alaska.

My last trip to Anchorage and Fairbanks was August, 2009. A highlight of that trip was holding a sled dog puppy. Termination dust was just starting to blanket the hillsides. A sign that winter was on its way.

Early March I'll be flying Alaska Airlines from SFO to Anchorage to watch the "Last Great Race on Earth" as a guest of Alaska Travel.

For all things Alaska, follow them on Twitter. Of course, I'll be tweeting during my trip, as well. The Fairbanks CVB in on Twitter, too.

"In a winter trip to Alaska, you have to be prepared for a huge temperature range," notes Lyle Croft of Fairbanks-based Apocalypse Design. "It can be 40'F above one day and -40'F the next. You worry about moisture at warmer temperatures as everything around is melting. Colder temperatures you want to stay warm."

When Croft volunteers for the Yukon Quest, a dog-sled race in Fairbanks, he has multiple outfits for different temperatures, including different insulation levels of hats and boots. (Clearly this guy doesn't need to worry about carry-on restrictions.)

 How to pack for an Alaska winter vacation

• Layering is key.
• Synthetic is in - cotton is out.
• Long underwear - Cuddl Duds for me.
• Fleece Pants - mine are from Apocalypse Design
• Snow Bib - Apocalypse Design
• Moisture wicking t-shirts
• Long-sleeve shirts for layering
• Alpine Parka - insulation levels vary - Apocalypse Design
• Arctic Mitts - mine are from Steger Mukluks & Moccasins
• Smart wool socks - mine are from Icebreaker.com
• Arctic Mukluks - Steger Mukluks & Moccasins
• Warm hat
• Bathing Suit - I'm going to Chena Hotsprings

Patti Steger of Steger Mukluks and Moccasins adds that, "flexibillity, insulation and light weight are the keys to warm feet. If your hand are cold, you understand that with vigorous motion you will generate blood supply to warm them. That same principle applies to your feet. The colder it gets, the more flexible and insulated you must be."

 Have you been to Alaska in the winter? What have I left off my "How to pack for an Alaska winter vacation" list? Please leave a comment with your suggestions.

Saguaro Giant CactusWhen I crave good hearty Cowboy cuisine, I turn to Cowboy Cafe.

To escape work I go to The Spa at Los Caballeros.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the Hassayampa River Preserve.

If you come to Wickenburg, get your picture taken at the Historic Jail Tree.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Anita's Cocina, get the Carne Asada dinner. 

Wickenburg is my one stop shop for western wear.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to DJ's Frontier Diner.

For a huge splurge, I go to Rancho de los Caballeros.  

Photo ops in Wickenburg include: Bronze statues in downtown; vulture peak; historic Santa Fe Depot; Box Canyon and Historic Vulture Mine.

The best vantage points are taken by hiking to the top of Vulture Peak.

The most random thing about Wickenburg is that they are known for having top-notch addiction treatment centers. In fact, when I was in Wickenburg reviewing  the Kay El Bar Guest Ranch, the local paper reported that Tiger Woods was rumored to be in town for sexual addiction treatment.

 In Wickenburg, an active day outdoors involves walking or hiking, roping or jeeping.

My favorite walking route is the Westside pedestrian trail next to Highway 60.

Wickenburg's best museum is the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read The Wickenburg Sun.

You can tell a lot about Wickenburg from visiting our rural community and watching a special heritage event.

In the spring you should attend Cowgirl Up!

In the summer you should check out Fiesta de Septiembre.

In the fall you might want to visit Four Corner States Bluegrass Festival.

The winter is a good time to go to Gold Rush Days and Rodeo.

 A hidden gem in Wickenburg is the Del E. Webb Center for the Performing Arts.

For a great breakfast treat or espresso, go to Nana's Sandwich Saloon.

Just outside of Wickenburg you can visit Congress, Arizona, have lunch at Nichols West.

The best way to see Wickenburg is to take the historical walking tour of downtown.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss Camp Imagination, Wickenburg Fly-In & Car Show, hiking the Hassayampa Preserve and visiting the gem & mineral room at the Desert Caballeros Western Museum.

What are your favorite things to see and do in Wickenburg?

Thank you to Julie Brooks of the Wickenburg Chamber of Commerce for assistance with this post.

 All photos by Nancy D. Brown

Yosemite's Half Dome Yosemite is a beautiful place in the winter time. No crowds, fresh snow and glorious days to take in the breath taking sights.

My high school senior recently returned from a five day and night trip to Yosemite. It was sponsored and partially funded by the public high school she attends in Northern California.

Jane Kelson teaches geology at Campolindo High School and spear heads the Yosemite Institute Field Course. In addition to studying geology, biology and ecology, the students do "hands on" projects such as testing the water quality of Yosemite Creek. It's outdoor classroom experiences like this that keep students motivated and opens their eyes to alternative areas of exploration.

Campolindo High Students Experience Yosemite in the Winter

High school senior Andi Kohen said, "the best part of visiting Yosemite was that it was an amazing opportunity to bond with fellow students while participating in a fun learning environment. Visiting Yosemite taught me a lot about how to respect nature, such as trying not to leave one crumb behind in order not to upset the ecosystem. Not only did it teach us to respect nature, it also taught us to respect others, such as our Yosemite Institute instructor when they are trying to teach us something important. It was an amazing experience and I'm so glad I got a chance to experience it."

 

Yosemite FallsThe students slept in the canvas-covered tent cabins at Curry Village for a couple of days and then moved to the eastern part of Yosemite valley. They cross country skied on fresh fallen snow, glided across frozen ice on skates, created a human pyramid in front of a fallen tree trunk in Mariposa Grove and ate lunch at the base of a waterfall. How awesome is that?

As some of you know, California schools are taking a huge economic hit. Our Acalanes School District is experiencing  a $4.8 million district budget shortfall.

Administrators are going through classroom course offerings with a fine tooth comb to see where cuts can be made. Classes such as the Yosemite Institute Field Class may be on the chopping block. For our students, and future high school students who follow in their footsteps, I hope organizations such as the Moraga Education Foundation continue to fund outdoor classes such as this.

The experiences our children have outside the classroom are as powerful and motivating as their studies behind closed walls.

Photos courtesy of Kendall C. Brown

OtterBox iPhone Commuter TL Case ReviewYou know you have a winner in your hand when your teenage daughter claims it for her own. What did she borrow from dear old mom? My daughter snatched the Otterbox iPhone Defender Case before I had opened the package.

However, I wasn't going to part with my iPhone case. The good folks at Otterbox shipped us the iPhone 3G/3GS Commuter TL Case for review.

City Slicker or Stylish Traveler

The Otterbox iPhone Commuter TL Case is not as bulky as my iPhone Defender Case. In fact, it was designed to slide easily out of your purse, pocket or laptop bag. Forget the sleek design, the Commuter TL Case provides three slender, yet sturdy layers of protection. It comes in vibrant colors and offers more "style" according to my fashion conscious daughter. She selected the iPhone Commuter TL case in green.

Three Layers of Protection

The first layer is a self-adhering film that will protect your precious iPhone touch screen from dings and scratches. The second layer, designed to dissipate shock away from your iPhone, is a textured silicone skin. The final layer is a plastic shell that fits snuggly over the silicone, offering yet another layer of protection for the back of the iPhone.

How much does all this protection cost? The Otterbox iPhone Commuter TL Case is priced at $29.95. Keep in mind that the case does not provide water protection. While our experiences may vary from yours, I'm happy to report that my teenage daughter's iPhone keeps chugging along after more than one drop to the ground. 

The Fort Collins, Colorado-based company is social media savvy. You can find them on Twitter and Facebook.

Working with travel bloggers as easy as online dating?

While the title may sound arrogant, some might describe the world of travel blogging as yet uncharted territory. If only the relationship between travel bloggers and public relations professionals were as easy as online dating. 

Instead of filling out a form listing our physical characteristics and our favorite activities such as walking on the beach at sunset, we could describe our blog and tell our potential suitor what we're looking for in crafting the perfect post.

As a public relations professional with over 26 years in the industry, I come to the travel writer/travel blogger relationship with a unique perspective. On one hand, I understand how PR Pros feel over-whelmed in wading through the endless amount of travel blogs. However, that's not to say that there are not tools available to account executives to help vet a qualified travel blogger.

Tips for Creating Successful Relationships with Travel Bloggers:

• Read my blog before you send the e-mail asking me to write about or interview your client.
• Take the time to address your pitch to me, Nancy Brown.
• Don't follow up to ask when the article will appear. If you have your Google Alerts set, you will see my posts as they go live.
• Don't ask me to link to your blog or offer to write a guest post for me if I don't accept guest posts.
• Please don't ask me to write a post for your client because it will provide me with "exposure."

Tips for Creating Successful Relationships with Public Relations Professionals:

• Keep in mind that like you, I have deadlines and demands of my time.
• Take the time to visit my website and learn of my client before you ask of something from me.
• Be accountable, courteous and professional. Successful relationships are not one-way streets.
• My client may not yet understand the value of online media coverage. Don't be offended when I ask for your Alexa, Compete or Technorati statistics or your Google Analytics. Part of my job is to "vet" bloggers, deliver circulation figures and determine editorial reach.

What tips do you have to offer for creating successful media relationships?

Related posts on this topic:

What This Blogger Wants PR to Know

The PR/blogger relationship

Women Bloggers Happy to Work with PR/Marketing

How to reach out to bloggers, and what makes us crazy

6 ways to improve your destination marketing (and why you're toast if you don't)

Pajaro Dunes sunset and street sign photo by Nancy D. Brown

Castello di Amorosa photo by Nancy D. BrownMy favorite tips and locations for visitors to Calistoga, California.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is a downtown walking tour of Carlo Marchiori murals: Starting at Miquel's restaurant,1437 Lincoln Ave. See facing murals which show old Calistoga painted by this Italian-born muralist.

Insider Tip: When looking at these murals, Marchiori is the figure in the barber chair; the man reading the paper in an upper window is based on his brother; the dogs peering out the door are Marchiori's. His partner, Tony, is the inspiration for the Chinese laundryman whose work can be found all over town, including Brannan's Grill and Enoteca Wine Shop. Carlo's art gallery, Galleria Ca'Toga d'Arte, is next to Vermeil Wines, 1206 Cedar Street.

When I crave Calistoga cuisine, I turn to Sol Bar at Solage Calistoga.

To escape work I get a mud bath or massage at one of the many local spas within Calistoga. I enjoyed a girlfriend getaway at the Roman Spa Resort.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at Bothe Napa Valley State Park.

If you come to Calistoga, get your picture taken in front of the Napa Valley welcome sign.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at Brannan's Grill get the braised short ribs.

Calistoga is my one stop shop for food, wine tasting and mud baths.

Best Place to watch local crafts people at work: Calistoga Potter Jeff Manfredi can usually be found working on his wheel creating artisan pottery in his studio.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to The Candy Cellar. They have great salt water taffy. Try the award-winning Calistoga Mud Fudge or the Lattee Fudge.

Photo ops in Calistoga include the Castillo di Amorosa.

The best vantage points are taken by climbing to the top of the tower and looking out over the valley.

Bird in a Cage by Carlo MarchioriThe most unique art tour: Every Saturday from May-October, artist Carlo Marchiori leads tours of his home, Villa Ca'Toga. Visitors will see the grounds, "ruins," grottos and garden. His sly humor and creativity spill out of every corner. One guest room is painted to make you the bird in a birdcage. There's even a cat peering in at you and the room comes with yellow pajamas. A bargain at $25 per person.

In Calistoga, an active day outdoors involves hiking, biking or walking.

My favorite hikes: Kortum Canyon Road at the intersection of Hwy. 229/128 and Lincoln Avenue is a great walk. Bothe Napa State Park has lovely redwood groves for strolling year-round. Oak Hill Mine Trail, at the other end of Lincoln Avenue by Silverado Trail, is a thigh-burner, but the views are worth it.

Calistoga's best museum is the Sharpsteen Museum of Calistoga. A place to see glimpses of Calistoga's past with dioramas of what the town looked like in the 1860's. You'll see a completely furnished old-fashioned kitchen, blacksmith shop and turn of the century house and parlor all housed in an original Brannan Cottage with its arched gingerbread facade. There were more than a dozen of these guest cottages at the site of Calistoga's first spa resort.

You don't need kids with you to visit this historical museum, but if you do, they'll love the stagecoach and the miniature model trains. You can also see Ben Sharpsteen's Oscar from his work as a Disney animator on "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs." There is also a double-sided dollhouse made by Calistoga resident Ruth Durbin.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read The Weekly Calistogan.

You can tell a lot about Calistoga from visiting the local festivals.

In the spring you should attend the Mustard, Mud and Music Festival, March 6-7, 2010. Visitors can leave the car behind and walk to live music all over town while tasting about two dozen of the areas wines.

In the summer Calistoga offers free concerts in the park every Thursday from the last week in May through the end of August. Taking place from 6-8 p.m., each week features a different band and a chef is on site for an al fresco dinner.

In the fall visit the wineries during harvest or go up in a hot air balloon.

In the winter you'll want to watch Calistoga's Annual Lighted Tractor Parade. Vintage and modern tractors, antique trucks and construction equipment bedecked with lights roll down Calistoga's main street to celebrate the holiday season and Napa Valley's agricultural heritage. December 4, 2010 is the date for the 6 p.m. start of the parade at Lincoln Avenue to Cedar Streets.

Calistoga Roastery Table of KnowledgeFor a great breakfast treat have the coffee cake and coffee at Calistoga Roastery. Anyone who wants to know what's really going on in town heads to "The Table of Ka-nowledge," an opinionated group of residents gathering spot.

Just outside of downtown Calistoga you can visit Robert Louis Stevenson State Park.

The best way to see downtown Calistoga is to walk.

If you have kids, you won't want to miss the Old Faithful Geyser. (Truth be told, I have not visited the Geyser yet.) Or they can find the Queen Bee at Vermeil Wines. The tasting room used to house a beeswax candle shop. Tasting room manager Mary Sue Frediani kept the two small doors that you can open to see the bees hard at work behind the glass making beeswax and honey.

 
What are your favorite things to do in Calistoga?

Thank you to Eden Umble of the Calistoga Chamber of Commerce for assistance with this post.

Castle and Calistoga Roastery photos by Nancy D. Brown. Photo of Bird in a Cage courtesy of Villa Ca'toga website.

My favorite tips and locations for visitors to Napa, California.

The first place I take a visitor from out of town is wine tasting or for a lunch ride on the Napa Valley Wine Train.

When I crave wine country cusine, I turn to Celadon in downtown Napa. The butternut soup is delicious.

To escape work I walk down to the Napa River or head to Dillon Beach.

For complete quiet, I can hide away at the roof top at Avia Napa.

If you come to Napa, get your picture taken on the upstairs terrace at Opus One.

If you have to order one thing off the menu at UVA get the Arincini Balls or the beer can chicken at Bounty Hunter.

Napa is my one stop shop for wine and great food.

When I'm feeling cash-strapped, I go to Villa Corona for excellent Mexican food. 

For a huge splurge, I'd recommend Cole's Chop House.

Photo ops in Napa include Silverado Vineyards and O'Shaughnessy Vineyards on Howell Mountain.

The best vantage points are taken by walking to the top of Westwood Hills Park in Napa.

The most random thing about Napa is the di Rosa Art Preserve.

Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photography Contestant - SmartIn Napa, an active day outdoors involves walking, biking or hiking.

My favorite biking route is the Silverado Trail on a weekday without traffic.

For a night of dancing, go to San Francisco.

The Bounty Hunter is the spot for late night dining.

To find out what's going on at night or on weekends, read the Napa Register or Wine Country This Week magazine.

You can tell a lot about Napa from visiting the local festivals.

In the spring you should attend the Napa Valley Mustard Festival.

In the summer you should attend Symphony on the River Festival, downtown Napa at the Third Street Bridge.

In the fall you should visit the wineries for harvest or go on a hot air balloon ride and take in the colors.

In the winter you might want to hang out at Milliken Creek Inn and have a chocolate massage.

Donuts at the Boon Fly CafeFor a great breakfast treat have the donuts at the Boon Fly Cafe at the Carneros Inn.

Just outside of Napa you can visit Rutherford. Have lunch outside at Rutherford Grill- great french dip.

The best way to see downtown Napa is to walk. Splurge on a driver when wine tasting. 

If you have kids, you won't want to miss Safari West in nearby Santa Rosa.

What are your favorite things to do in Napa?

Thank you to Maria Newman, Concierge at AVIA Napa for assistance with this post.

Grape and Donut Photos by Nancy D. Brown

Napa Valley Mustard Festival Photo Courtesy of Contestant Smart.

Nancy's Candy Co. - A Gourmet DelightYou've heard of the diamond's four c's? Color, cut,  clarity and carat are all characteristics that are important to a diamond. Well, I've discovered the three c's and a g at the San Francisco Fancy Food Show. Chocolate, cheese, caramel and granola are important to the quality of my life.

In its 35th year, the Winter Fancy Food Show offers specialty food retailers a peek and a taste into what's new and what's next in the ever competitive gourmet food world. I decided to approach this year's show, January 17-19, 2010, with a look at the regional connection we have with our foods.

While the show isn't open to the general public, I've put together a short video of my three c's; chocolate, cheese and caramel, with a granola product from Jackson Hole thrown into the mix because I'm headed to Wyoming this year.

Social media fans can find the National Association for the Specialty Food Trade (NASFT) on Twitter, Facebook and YouTube.

What gourmet foods have you discovered on your travels?

Amano Artisan Chocolate www.amanochocolate.com

The Bunnery www.bunnerynaturalfoods.com

Chocolate Santander www.ourniche.com

Happy Goat Caramel www.happygoatcaramel.com

Nancy's Candy Co. www.nancyscandycompany.com

Republica del Cacao www.republicadelcacao.com