Escape to Healdsburg, CA

Sunday, June 17, 2012

I'm really excited about an upcoming road trip to Grand Tetons National Park, WY. I've been really fortunate to travel to amazing places during my lifetime along with fabulous photos, most on film/print. However, I got a photo scanner for my birthday so I plan on sharing my adventures and stories.

One of my fav places is Healdsburg, CA. I discovered it on my first trip to Napa Valley. My friend and I traveled over to Sonoma Valley. At one vineyard someone mentioned the beauty and wines of northern Sonoma so on impulse we drove up and explored Healdsburg. Not only did I love the beauty of the town but also I fell in love with Sephesio zinfandels.  When we returned to the wine country last year we had to make the journey up there. 

The town's population runs a little over 11,000.  Three wine-producing regions (Russian River, Dry Creek and Alexander Valley AVA's) converge in Healdsburg. Towering redwoods ring the 19th century plaza. I love the shops and boutiques, especially the Powell's candy store with every treat imaginable from nostalgic to current favs. The wine tasting rooms are straight-forward and reasonable, but the one I have to visit is the one for the 100 year-old Seghesio winery. The first time I visited I tasted a peppery zinfandel that received a high ranking by Wine Spectator. 

I hope you enjoy these photos of Healdsburg.  :) Carol

The Adventure of Learning

Sunday, June 3, 2012

“I am learning all the time. The tombstone will be my diploma.” ~Eartha Kitt

My first memories are of the joy of learning. My parents read to me every night, taking me on trips of the imagination. By age four I devoured books.  Kindergarten was okay, but come first grade, I found enlightenment.

I loved school, couldn't wait to go to class and generally was the person who sat in the front row [yeah, throw spit balls at me]. Every day presented an opportunity to learn something new and exciting.

That love of learning permeates my writing.  No matter how many books on writing I've read, workshops I've taken or books I write, I don't think I'll ever learn all that there is to know about writing.  That's why I'm excited this week to start a new online workshop with Laurie Schnebly Campbell: The Alpha Female.

As I work on my next Justice Hunter book about a woman on a journey to discover herself, I look forward on interweaving points of illumination from the class.

:) Carol