This personal travel story was difficult to write and share, but cathartic as well. I received lots of supportive feedback from around the world. The greatest lesson to come from my experience was this: I thought my COVID-19 furlough/unemployment and isolation in Napa – and being alone – were the worst, until this. The day […]
Tag: travel
Ten questions for Sean Piper, Owner of Jargon Restaurant in Asheville, North Carolina
Earlier this month, I enjoyed an amazing opportunity to be hosted by four of Asheville, North Carolina’s off-the-beaten path, perhaps lesser known restaurants, in West, North, East, and South Asheville. As part of my Ten Questions for series, I interviewed the proprietors of each restaurant. Nothing excites me more than someone who turns their […]
Need a hotel near Asheville Regional Airport?
I traveled to my hometown of Asheville a few weeks ago. I had a red-eye flight inbound and a super early-morning flight out, so I decided to stay at the Holiday Inn & Suites Arden-Asheville Airport. What a delightful, lovely property with a full-service restaurant, an airport shuttle, and tons of thoughtful amenities. I was […]
Asheville Wine Tour: Yes, please!
Have you ever been on a wine tour in Asheville, North Carolina? When I was there last month, I visited three incredible wine and food venues in the area with creator, producer, and maker of video magic, Gary of G Social Media. The first stop was wine and dinner at Rezaz – Pan Mediterranean Cuisine. Next, we […]
Ten Questions for Anna Weber of Raft California
In September, I visited El Dorado County for the second time, my first time returning since fall 2016 when I met and tasted with Greg Boeger of Boeger Winery. This trip, I was graciously hosted by Visit El Dorado and ventured beyond the wine to whitewater rafting. My first whitewater rafting experience was many years […]
2017: My Year of Challenge, Transformation, and Love
When asked to describe my 2017 in one word, my immediate response has been challenging. The first things that come to mind are the sudden death of my mother in January (Obscurity Thwarted), an unexpected tax bill in March, my health scares in January and May-June, then the Napa and Sonoma wildfires in October (A […]
Maryland Wine: It’s Time!
When people think of Maryland, they probably think of crab cakes. I know I did until my recent trip to Maryland for TasteCamp, an annual immersion weekend for those of us who write about or work with wine and other craft beverages. *CLICK HERE TO READ*
A TWC Update: 2017, wildfires, recognition, and Villa Maria
Here it is November already. I don’t know about you, but it has been a heck of a year for me. In January, I lost my mom unexpectedly. When I returned home from traveling home for the the funeral, I became so ill that my doctor thought I had pneumonia. When she sent me for […]
Hudson-Chatham Winery in Troy, New York
A lifetime ago, when I was a community college professor who knew nothing about wine, I was contemplating a move to New York. I interviewed for a job at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, New York. I stayed overnight there and thought it was such a great little city. I jumped at the opportunity […]
Bella Grace Vineyards, Sutter Creek
During the 2016 Wine Bloggers Conference in Lodi, California, I had the great pleasure of meeting Stephen Havill of Bella Grace Vineyards. During one of the conference lunches, he led me over to his table where he was pouring some of their wines. After tasting a few, I was immediately smitten and knew I had […]
