Posted by Nancy D. Brown

As I cruised the tables on the patio, I scanned the place cards to find my evening dining companion.  Tim Cahill’s name was neatly penned on a small white card  placed at the head of a folding table, cloaked in white fabric.  The chairs remained empty, but would quickly fill as students spilled out of the Book Passage event room.  I grabbed my notepad and camera and scored a seat at Cahill’s table.  Day one of a four day writer’s conference and I was breaking bread with my hero. 

“What’s on your bucket list?” I asked Cahill as we dined over California cuisine at the 2008 Book Passage Travel Writers and Photographers Conference. “My own backyard,” replied Cahill.

Nancy Brown's Dinner with Travel Writer Tim Cahill

The 65-year-old Founding Editor of Outside Magazine and author of books including Hold the Enlightenment and Lost in My Own Backyardsaid he’d be happy to stay home and explore Montana. When asked about what makes a story standout, Cahill said that research is important. “Tell us some interesting historic facts and something special about the people,” added Cahill.

Cahill, along with the who’s who of travel writers, editors and photographer’s shared their insider tips with students of the 17th annual Book Passage Travel Writers & Photographers Conferenceheld August 14-17, 2008 in Corte Madera, California. The four day conference focused on newspaper, magazine and guidebook writing, as well as travel photography. Portolios were critiqued by Robert Holmes, Andrea Johnson, George Olson, Jeff Pflueger and Alison Wright.

In the evening, Wright earned a standing ovation for her slide show and tales from her latest book, Learning to Breathe. Author Eric Weiner, The Geography of Bliss, shared that “travel writing is writing about place and ultimately writing about people.” While Author Phil Cousineau, Art of Pilgrimage, noted that “the value of travel is that you give yourself permission to be a different person.”

Speaking of different people, Simon Winchester, in conversation with Conference Chair Don George, discussed his relationship with his mentor Jan Morris. Winchester, a wonderful story teller, shared some fascinating aspects of his friendship over the years with Morris.

Book Passage Travel Writers Conference with Jay Jones, Jen Leo, Michael Shapiro & Jeff Pflueger

Blogger rock stars Jim Benning, Jen Leo and David Lytle twittered and blogged their way to alltop.com where the best travel blogs are listed on the web. Pauline Frommerdiscussed writing for the on-line travel industry with David Lytle and Michael Shapiro, while Larry Bleiberg, Catharine Hamm and John Flinn explained how to work with an editor.

“It’s about relationships,” stated Hamm. “The people who are the best writers are easy to work with,” offered Bleiberg. “I treasure people who are good and solid,” added Flinn. “Deliver a good story with no drama.”

Yet drama is expected from Author Isabel Allende. “I think the hardest part of writing is sitting down,” laughed Allende. “I’m not organized. I don’t have an outline. That’s like making love with a manual!”

The last evening of the conference included karaeoke with students and facility.  Last year I returned to my room to work on a homework assignment and missed out on the fun.  This year I found myself in front of my laptop polishing a writing assignment and looking forward to sleep.  I left the writer’s boot camp exhausted, yet energized and filled with the enthusiasm of a college freshman.   I hope to see you at next year’s conference August 13-16, 2009. Early birds can register until October 1 for a rate of $575, after that date the cost moves to $635.

Have you been to a writers conference that left you inspired?  Post a comment.  I’d love to hear from you.

Don’t leave Fido behind. Dog-friendly lodging in Mendocino, California

Don’t want to leave Fido at home, yet still looking for a nice place to stay with an oceanview?  Checkout the Little River Inn and Fort Bragg’s Atrium Bed & Breakfast or the Surf Motel.  Each dog-friendly location on Mendocino’s Pacific coast welcomes well-behaved pooches.  The Little River Inn offers luxury, ocean-view rooms, ranging from $225-$290, plus a $25 pet fee, while Fort Bragg offers affordable rates within walking distance of several dog parks.

Having survived scenic Highway 128, with its many curves, both man and beast will appreciate the ocean air and setting foot on terra firma.  Your dog will love the treats upon check-in at the Little River Inn and you will enjoy the freedom of not having to sneak your beloved into the hotel room.  The inn offers a pet-friendly,  grassy area on the property and provides resources such as Evergreen Barn, a self-serve pet wash facility and doggy daycare At Last Farm Dog Day Camp.

Pet-friendly Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens

HOUNDS IN FORT BRAGG?

Eleven miles north of Mendocino, California, AAA-rated Surf Motel offers designated pet-friendly rooms from $49-$250, plus a $10 pet fee, for the budget-minded with a fenced, off-leash doggie play area.  If you find yourself in Fort Bragg September 26-28, 2008, drop by the Huckleberry and Hound Festival for canine-related activities scattered throughout Fort Bragg.

Located in the historic downtown district, The Atrium Bed & Breakfast is within walking distance of Fort Bragg’s Dog Park between South Lincoln and Willow.  Three pet-friendly rooms rent for $115-$150, not including a $25 pet fee.  Atrium Co-owner Gail Brodkey, along with her dog, Gracie, were involved in the push to create the local dog park.  Stop by for yappy hour.

Insider Tip: Noyo Jetty Dog Park, an official off-leash dog beach, is a short drive away at the end of North Harbor Drive.  Additionally, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens offers another dog-friendly venue, charging $10 per person.  There is no charge for leashed pets.

Article written by and top photo courtesy of  Travel Writer Nancy D. Brown of What a Trip, Travels from Northern California. Bottom photo courtesy of Mendocino Botanical Gardens.

Chef Gregorio Garcia & Piaci Owner Cynthia Ariosta

Walking into Piaci Pub & Pizzeria in downtown Fort Bragg is like walking into Boston's fictitious Cheers Pub; where everybody knows your name.  "Or at least where you work," says co-owner Cynthia Ariosta with a smile.  Ariosta and Business Partner Stephen Duerr took over this local hang out, known for its superior thin crust pizza, from original owner Jim Muto in 2003, and its been hopping ever since.

"This is Italian style pizza," notes Ariosta as she multi-tasks, serving sandwiches and salads to regulars, pouring micro-brewed beer from the tap and offering pizza suggestions to out-of-towners such as myself.  "We make our own sausage in house.  We buy our pork from Roundman's Smokehouse up the street and we utilize local produce."  Case in point, today's caprese salad is made with Sky Hoyt Farm's tomatoes from Lake County.  Piaci Chef Gregorio Garcia picked  up the tomatoes and basil from the Wednesday Fort Bragg Farmer's Market.

"We have a great staff and are strong believers in the economic gardening philosophy," notes Ariosta.  That is, they embrace strategies to grow existing businesses in their community.  This philosophy seems to be paying off in the formerly blue collar town of Fort Bragg.

Like the product?  Why not buy the company?

Mendocino Chocolate Company Owner Julie Keaton had purchased chocolates for their Seabird Lodge hotel guests for years.  When they heard the business was for sale in 2003, she and her husband jumped in with both feet, or perhaps hands is a better word.  Afterall, the candies are decorated and made by hand.  The coffee toffee with hazelnuts is unique, as is the 6 Angels Mocha Truffle, six being the number of children in Keaton's household.

For something homemade and unique to Fort Bragg, visit Cowlicks Handmade Ice Cream located on Main Street.  Locals rave about the seasonal mushroom ice cream that tastes like maple nut.  Across the street, Piaci offers Cowlicks Spumoni flavored ice cream.

Mendocino Cookie Company

"Do you want to know something funny?" asks Mendocino Cookie Company Manager and Owner Wendy Alarcon.  "My mother never baked us cookies when we were growing up!" laughs Alarcon.  Previously located in Mendocino for fourteen years, the company moved to Fort Bragg because they needed more elbow room and they viewed the community as up-and-coming.

In selecting a few cookies from the fifteen different varieties, Alarcon suggested the Backpacker cookie,  sort of a granola cookie with oats, raisins, chocolate and butterscotch chips, along with the Chocolate Bliss, a chocolate shortbread cookie with chocolate chips.  Mighty taste cookies.