Ruh Roh

According to Jim Butler of Global Hospitality Group, things are about to get ugly.

In fact, he's predicting veritable warfare. Tranche warfare, that is, among the holders of varying slices of a very complex pie. Which pie? The commercial mortgage pie. And folks we're talking about a whole lot of money.

Read his whole post if you can. I did and I can tell you this. It does not sound good at all.

According to Jim, tranche warfare is inevitable because:

* The dollar volume of CMBS loans is huge

* Loan delinquencies, defaults and losses are soaring and the trend will continue

* Owners of first loss positions will look to make themselves whole if only to discharge their fiduciary duties to their companies, shareholders or other stake holders

* The conflicting interests of special servicers and investors creates a fertile ground for claims

* Lawsuits will explore previously untested provisions of PSAs dealing with the Servicing Standard and other duties of special servicers

In plain English, here's the sitch.

Delinquencies and defaults of the underlying loans that make up the varying tranches of Commercial Mortgage Backed Securities are ballooning.

The exposure is mindbogglingly huge. How huge? How does $800 billion sound? Scared yet? How much of that will go bad? More than you want to think about when the panic breaks out.

Everyone's going to be looking out for their own interests and there are conflicts of interest all over the place. We're talking dumping properties, forcing sales if needed to do that, and other ugly business.

Lawsuits will fly.

The agreements are complex. Hundreds of pages long. Plenty of room for fighting it out.

Big big bucks at stake.

Yep, it's going to get ugly.

For background you might go back to 2006 when Jim wrote about the train wreck that is coming into the station now.

Think it won't impact you? Think again.

No the Rainbow Does Not Mean the Storm has Passed

Sigh, big sigh, and another sigh.

Because really, at this point, is there anything else to say about absolute denial of reality?

Sure,I knew the temporary appearance of accepting reality wouldn't last. But who knew denial would set in again so quickly?

The good folks at STR just posted results for January 2010. Here's what they found:

The U.S. hotel industry posted declines in all three key performance measurements during January 2010, according to data from STR.

In year-over-year measurements, the industry’s occupancy ended the month virtually flat with a 0.4-percent decrease to 45.1 percent. Average daily rate dropped 7.1 percent to finish the month at US$93.93. Revenue per available room for the month decreased 7.4 percent to finish at US$42.35.

Here's where the big sigh comes in. The industry posts declines, yes declines, in all 3 key performance areas for January.

And what are we told the takeaway from those results are?

Unbelievably, it's this:

“January’s results continue the pattern of demand improvement that began toward the end of 2009,” said Mark Lomanno, president of STR. “We expect this trend of positive demand growth to continue throughout most of this year. Hopefully, this will result in a firming of prices before too many more months go by.”

Demand improvement?

I suppose that because it's less of a decline than last year - the worst year on record for the industry - that some folks see that as good. I'm not one of them.

Sigh. Big sigh. And another sigh.

Now, it's not like I'm hoping for bad news. I wish, as much as anyone else, that this whole nightmare was over and that folks were just traveling like it's 1999.

But here's the thing. Ain't. Gonna. Happen. And yes, you can quote me on that.

Please folks. Can we start getting real already? Is that too much to ask?

Sonoma Plaza

Interesting artifacts of all kinds can be seen at the Sonoma Barracks

Wine country visitors to Sonoma County often skip the town of Sonoma altogether, limiting their discovery to the many many wineries throughout the county. And the wineries are pretty interesting in and of themselves.

But so is the lovely town of Sonoma. In fact, the Sonoma Plaza is itself a National Historic Landmark. For a glimpse of California history, it's just chock full of options, including the Mission San Francisco Solano, the northernmost of the 21 Franciscan missions and the last one built along the California coast.

But history abounds on the Sonoma Plaza and includes the lovely old Toscano Hotel, built in the 1850's. Now closed as a hotel, it's open for tours.

The Toscano Hotel is actually one of my favorite sites on the plaza. Maybe that's because of the charming volunteer docents who so lovingly share their wealth of knowledge with each visitor.



Or maybe it's just the easy ability to visualize the workers who stayed there in its early days.



Or the ladies who had their own entrance, away from the bar, and a separate visiting room with plenty of space for their chaperones.



Or maybe it's just the innkeeper in me who finds the kitchen's wonderful original stove and amazing collection of cookware and spices to be fascinating.



In fact, the dining room is set today just like it would have been when it last served up Italian fare nearly sixty years ago.



Easy to see why it would have been a local favorite.

Altogether it's one of the more intriguing spots on the plaza. And at my all time favorite price: docent tours are available each Saturday, Sunday, and Monday from 1 to 4 PM and they're FREE, although donations are greatly appreciated.

Of course, when it comes time for lunch, there's never a shortage of options anywhere in Sonoma. But for a take out lunch to enjoy on the grounds of the beautiful plaza itself, it's tough to beat the Sonoma Cheese Factory.



Great sandwiches but also great cheese, breads, and salami all packed and ready to go. They definitely know the way to the Fabulous Frenchie's heart.

And if you want to take some wine home with you, be sure to check out the amazing selection at the Wine Exchange of Sonoma. Great prices, too.

Ever Wonder About Those Missing Door Hangers?

Looks like this dude's granddad kept them as souvenirs.

Have to say, what an wonderful collection of memories.

And now I know. Those things really do disappear.

Folks really do take them home.

Some even proudly display them on the walls of their libraries.

Who knew?

Green Wedding Favors

Is your inn hosting any Spring weddings?

Help the bride keep it green with affordable gifts in elegantly simple eco-friendly packaging

The folks at Tree Beginnings have posted some great ideas for Spring wedding favors, including the lovely eco-boxes with flower bulbs shown above.

Sheila Sheffield says she offers over 100 different eco-favors with personalization and custom packaging available. Some favorites include Lavender Seed in eco-boxes, Growing Butterfly Paper, and Tree Seedlings.

Did I say Growing Butterfly Paper? Why yes I did.

Her paper petals in heart or butterfly shapes are especially interesting. Brilliant collections of perennial seeds are embedded in handmade paper and literally come to life when planted.

Surprisingly nice collection of favors in the $1 to $2 range. No, that's not a misprint. Simple but lovely choices. Check them out.

With regular delivery of 10 business days and rush delivery of 5 days available, there's still time for adding the perfect touch of Spring to the perfect green wedding.

Spring Is Just Around The Corner

Flowers here are ready to burst wide open.



And as so often the case, it seems we're not the only ones eagerly looking forward to the bloom.



You might even say we have an army of well wishers.



Although I'm not so certain this dude's intentions were all that friendly, seems old age got to him before anything else.



Even the remnants from last night's rain seemed to be downright joyful at signs of better days ahead.



Ahhhhh yes. Any day now.

There is No Gene For the Human Spirit

It's not at all surprising that the last building designed by Frank Lloyd Wright is as spectacular today as it was when he first saw this land and its mounds of golden rolling hills over fifty years ago.



After all, Frank Lloyd Wright was ahead of his time. In more ways than one. At a time when Victorian gingerbread was all the rage, he began his career and spent the rest of his life proving that Organic Architecture was instead the proper vessel for the true American spirit.



But Wright was also ahead of his time in his attitude towards the workplace itself and its role in providing spiritual gratification to the workers who spent much of their lives within its walls. He believed that work environments should be places of beauty. And indeed, at the Marin Civic Center there can be no doubt that he was successful in creating just that.



From the rhythmic unity of the circular theme seen everywhere to the natural light, views, balconies, and gardens, it's indeed a spirit-reviving workplace. For Marin County, known for its hot tubs, hippies, and spiritual enlightenment, could there be any better illustration of the concept that the human spirit deserves celebration at all times? What better place to embody that celebratory spirit than in the community's hub of government, the building of the people?



Scenes filmed here for Gattaca and THX 1138, the first film from Marin County's own George Lucas, seem as fresh from the future today as they did in decades past. One wonders, though, would Wright himself have approved of the science fiction themes his final creation spawned?



When those films end up reinforcing his most fundamental beliefs, I'm guessing he would.

After all, there is no gene for the human spirit.



Fascinating guided tours every Wednesday morning at 10:30 for the bargain price of $5 per person. Meet your docent in the Cafe on the 2nd floor.

The ever capable Avery Goldman was the guide during my visit and what a fabulous job he does.

Private tours for groups of ten or more can be arranged by calling the Visitor Services Office at 415.499.7009.

For more of the Fabulous Frenchie's photos from the tour, check out his full set on flickr.

Thinking of Adding a Spa to Your Inn?

No? You might want to think again.

Or at least seriously consider it from all angles.

As some inn owners look for ways to fill empty rooms, the idea of converting one or more rooms into spa facilities is one that comes up often in brainstorming sessions with innkeeper/owners.

But will it bring more revenue?

Are guests utilizing the spa facilities enough to make up for the loss of a guest room?

If that room is going to sit empty anyway, isn't it better to draw more revenue from guests already staying at the inn?

Well, if luxury hotel spas are any indication, it seems maybe yes, maybe no.

The good folks at Smith Travel bring us 2009 results and they're mixed at best.

Luxury hotel spas showed mixed operating results for the full year 2009. The summary Spa STAR data shows that the Average Treatment Rate (ATR) was reported at US$135.39, a 4.5 percent decline compared with full-year 2008. For full-year 2009, Average Treatment Room Utilization (ATRU) increased 3.5 percent to 31.1 percent.

Sure for some B&B's, a 31.1 percent Room Utilization Rate may not seem that bad. But when it represents a decrease and a fundamental drop in rate at the hotels studied, well, it can add up to trouble for spa facilities.

Guests who are counting pennies, it seems, are just not all that into them these days. At least not at the same rates they were paying before.

But dig a little deeper and here's where the results are definitely a mixed bag.

According to Jan Freitag, STR’s vice president of global development,

“The positive growth in the treatment room utilization (+3.5 percent) is more robust than the decrease in guestroom occupancy (-8.7 percent), which seems to be an indicator of the spa’s ability to capture hotel guests as well as attract a local audience to the spa,”

It all comes down to what that spa facility usage really comes out to, in actual usage. Are guests taking advantage of money saved in reduced room rates to get a massage at the inn?

The increased usage would indicate yes. Especially since increased spa usage is coming at a time when room occupancy for the same period is down.

And here's the money quote, again from Freitag

"a hotel room can only be sold once per night, while a spa treatment room can be sold multiple times a day.”

Something to think about, without a doubt.

Stairstep Falls

Rainy season in Northern California brings with it many delights. Verdant hills that seem to glow with shades of emerald, mushroom hunting for the brave and experienced, and my personal favorite. Waterfalls.

Marin County is blessed with an abundance of waterfalls in winter and on into spring. Most of them are easily accessible and reached by hiking through glorious forests.

Alamere Falls is perhaps the most stunning with water flowing 50 feet down to the beach below.

But if you've never been to Sam Taylor State Park and hiked through a canopy of Redwoods, Douglas Firs, Madrone, Bay Laurel and Live Oaks, well, I'm here to tell you that you should.



It's an easy hike to Stairstep Falls, starting from Devil's Gulch. Parking across the street is always a good indicator of how busy it's going to be.

We were actually heading to another waterfall yesterday but noticed only one car, yes only 1, parked outside Devil's Gulch. Near the car was a photographer completely entranced by the fast flowing waters of Lagunitas Creek before him.



Could we really have the trail and waterfall all to ourselves on a beautiful sunny day? Yes, Virginia, we could.


Waters from the falls running underneath Sir Francis Drake
Blvd to reach Lagunitas Creek on the other side

Did not see a soul on the trail.

Picnicked at the falls for easily an hour (thank you Cowgirl Creamery; you've never done me wrong) while the Fabulous Frenchie snapped these lovely photos and I meditated. No one in sight the entire time.

The gods were surely with us.

Along the way, you'll cross one of the many Salmon Crossing bridges that dot the creek that runs through the park and throughout San Geronimo Valley.

Sadly, the Coho Salmon numbers are tragically low despite the community's stewardship over the last 10 years to bring them back. A few years back, we'd easily spot some spawning salmon within 5 minutes at a good spot. Not so these days but the Steelhead Trout are still out in good numbers.

I like this black and white view of the bright red signs because, if you look closely, you can see the names of the kids from Lagunitas School who made each of the signs.


Once you cross the Salmon Crossing bridge, just follow Bill's Trail until it splits. The marker sign says it's 1.2 miles from there. I've heard varying reports about just how accurate that distance is, but it seems just about right to me.

And what a reward at the end.



Crawling and splashing down 40 feet, Stairstep Falls is like a slice of magic in an already magical forest.

Like I said, if you haven't hiked through Sam Taylor, you really should.

Especially if you're lucky enough to find the parking lot empty.

Time is Running Out

But there's still time.

There's even time for an eco-friendly Valentine's gift.

Check out the great selection over at Ecouterre.

After all, who doesn't want a recycled-skateboard-heart necklace?

I know I do.

How Cute is That?

Eye candy that's functional, too.

Of course, I'm especially partial to the solar hybrid automower.

Seasonal Specials

Keeping specials fresh, alive, and interesting is an ongoing process for any small inn.

Planning in advance is key as is keeping an open mind, open eyes, and a guest-based perspective.

Why are guests coming to your area? What are their interests? What are they interested in learning about your area or about making changes in their lives?

Now is the time to plan Spring and Summer specials tied to the land and the community that make it a destination.

The folks at Vintage Towers B&B in Cloverdale have found a clever way to tap into the growing Locavore movement by introducing guests to the whole concept of eating/buying local produce.

Their Green Getaway is a simple but well-thought-out plan for experiencing the myriad of wonders of their great Sonoma County location.

A visit to the Farmer's Market (which includes great live music) on Friday evening, a workshop Saturday morning on creating a veggie garden, tasting passes for winery visits in the afternoon, and closing up the weekend on Sunday with an upclose look at an onsite demonstration vineyard. It all sounds grand and down-to-earth at the same time. And for an additional $49, guests are looking at a real bargain.

Who could resist?

The fact that this special draws guests without cutting into ADR is just one reason it's my favorite of the week. The fact that it adds revenue at the same time is another. Add in a good measure of community and land stewardship, and it's a cut above.

What will your Spring and Summer specials offer your guests?

Prospective guests are getting cabin fever even as we speak.

Get ready to give them something great to look forward to and give something to your local community at the same time.

The season will be here before you know it.

Best Airfilter Ever

NEDLAW Living Wall Installation, WESST Corporation, Albuquerque


I love living walls. Since the first time I saw one, I knew I just had to have one. They've since become something of a fascination for me.

But I hadn't really considered them as actual air cleaners. Sure, plants clean the air and add oxygen and all that good stuff. Sure sure sure.

But NEDLAW Living Walls have taken the concept one step further. Or maybe light years further.

They're actually using living walls to filter air through HVAC systems with astonishing results.

Their systems function as indoor-air biofilters

able to degrade this broad range of VOCs and adapt quickly to changing air qualities. Our active Living Walls contain many different microbial ecological niches to address even trace concentrations of contaminants, even in extremely large volumes of air.

Sounds all very impressive.

But do they work?

Well it sure sounds like it.

In fact, they've been pretty well tested, it turns out.

During studies at the University of Guelph, we released into the wall very low concentrations of some common indoor pollutants to measure the system’s potential as a filter.

A single pass through the Living Wall removed up to 80% of the formaldehyde, 50% of the toluene and 10% of TCE. These numbers are incredibly impressive, particularly when you consider that the filter is only 5 cm thick.

Yes, incredibly impressive indeed.

Just gotta have one of those.

H/T Living Walls and Vertical Gardens

Hike and Taste

Wine country tours are popular wherever there's a wine country.

Whether it's shuttling from winery to winery or going all out for a day of bicycling through the vines to get to the next B&B, there are some great options out there.

So it would be easy to think it's all been done before.

Well the Kunde Family Estate have found a whole new way to integrate touring and wine.

They're already a favorite in my book because of their sustainable winegrowing practices.



But now we can add brilliant fusion of tourism ideas to their resume.

The Kunde family have an estate of 1,850 acres in the gently rolling hills of the glorious Valley of the Moon in Sonoma County.

Perfect for hiking. Some flat, some pretty darn vertical. Great hiking diversity.

So they've teamed up with a local hiking enthusiast, Sonoma Valley Docent Bill Myers, to create a winning plan.

Bill’s tours wind through the estate’s distinct eco-systems, each one uniquely contributing to the process of sustainable winegrowing. Taste wines along the way in the very vineyards where the grapes are grown. This moderately strenuous hike lasts approximately four hours.

What an engenius new concept for eco-winery touring.

Hope to see more of this.

Meanwhile, I don't know about you but I'm signing up for a 4 hour hike. At $25 a pop, including wine tasting, why not?

H/T traveling greener

Yikes

Sure, we all know you take your need to protect guest privacy seriously. But how safe is their financial data?

Have you taken all the steps you should have to protect it?

If you haven't yet, maybe this report out by Spiderlabs will jumpstart your inn's privacy protection plan.

If you haven't read the report yet, be prepared to be alarmed. Because it turns out that hackers know that the financial services industry is not their best target.

No, they're coming after us.

Yep, the hospitality industry is far and above the most targeted for hackers.

And worse, they're pretty efficient. They know what they're looking for: credit card information.

The good folks at CreditCards.com report:

The crooks knew what they were after, too: 98 percent of targeted data was payment card information. Nicholas Percoco, senior vice president of Trustwave's SpiderLabs, said that card information is constantly under fire because it's the fastest way for thieves to grab real cash.

Here's a breakdown of the industries most targeted for security breaches, as indicated in the report:

* Hospitality industry (38 percent)
* Financial service companies (19 percent)
* Retail stores (14.2 percent)
* Food and beverage (13 percent)
* Business services (5 percent)
* Technology (4 percent)
* Other (4 percent)
* Education (1.4 percent)
* Manufacturing (1.4 percent)

How are they doing it? Not through email. Through remote access of the computer network.

Don't let them get your guest data. If you haven't had the security on your network beefed up lately, maybe this would be a good time to check it out.

You can rest assured that if you don't, they will.

How Green Does Your Garden Grow?

Is your veggie garden really as green as you think it is?

Take the quiz and find out.

“That was the surprise to us.”

An interesting article out last week from the good folks at Atlas Hospitality that looks at hotel sales in California last year and projections for declining values through 2010.

Atlas predicts the prices for hotels to fall between 10 percent and 20 percent during 2010. The median price decline by room was 30 percent in 2009, according to the report.

Especially interesting to me in this and several articles coming out from various sources this month is the wake up call lenders seem to finally be getting.

No, they're not getting a wake up call to start lending. No, the problem is that many of them, like the banks, have some big issues with the bad loans already on their books.

And more than that, they're finally realizing that no, the glory days are not coming back. Not this year. Not next year. Not in time to save those assets.

The money quote:

“A lot of lenders were, and still are, in denial as to how much the value has dropped,” said Atlas president Alan X. Reay. “That was the surprise to us.”

The denial is lifting but what to do about it?

Banks don't want the assets going up for sale because then the dismal reality about the actual value of the assets on their books creates more problems for them.

Capital infusion is not exactly an option for them right now, much as it may be needed.

Admitting the real value of assets opens them up to the possibility of a takeover by the feds. So they've been holding back putting a whole lot or properties on the market. Result? A lot fewer sales not only because there's no money available to buy but because many of the properties are simply being held back.

How about private lenders?

What happens when they admit there is no real value in the growing portfolio of lender-owned properties?

A lot of people are predicting dumps of properties this year as lenders realize whatever depressed price they can get this year is better than the even more depressed price they'll get next year.

Or as Alan Reay of Atlas Hospitality says,

"If you don't like the market price today, you are really not going to like it 12 to 18 months from now."

Others are predicting bankruptcies of the lenders themselves.
Me? I think we'll see both.

Cash flow crunches will meet that denial head on. Many investors will lose their shirts.

But then again, I'm not really surprised at all by the denial.

Bubbles tend to create a lot of problems. They don't pop without the shine fading however fast or slow that fade happens.

Denial is the last to go.

Remember This Dude?

If you didn't get your old sweater to his mom in time for that January scarf, don't worry.

No, can't get the scarf anymore.

But this month she's doing gloves.

Hurry though. At last count, she could only handle 22 more orders this month.

So get that old sweater into a box and get moving.

Just think of all the memories those gloves will hold.

It's Saturday Morning Do You Know Where Your State's Tourism Dollars Are Going?

Found some great info this week on the excellent site of the Alsation Tourist Board. Great videos. Great packages actually promoting real inns in real time. All around great stuff.

Did you know that Alsace, for instance, is leading the way in Green Travel in France? No, neither did I.

But it turns out that fully half of the Green Lodging choices in France are in the tiny but remarkably wonderful region of Alsace.

Nice to know.

But I started looking into what California had on its own Travel and Tourism site. Not so much.

Sure it looks all slick in that California style. Definitely a slicker looking site than they've got in Alsace. After all, we've got our very own Governator who goes on the Japanese teevee in commercials inviting folks to visit California.



But promoting real inns in real time? Not so much. Videos available to tell the tale of all the different activities? Not so much.

But beyond the outwardly slick appearance of a site that's not nearly as functional as it could be, I ran across some very disturbing information.

Check this out.

Yep, when you call the California Travel and Tourism Commission office, you're reaching someone in Missouri. That's who is going to be the first point of contact for a potential traveler to our state.

Hello? Tell me where that makes any sense at all.

Nothing against Missouri. Have eaten some of the best steaks in my life in Missouri. Know some absolutely fabulous folks there.

But here's one reason I have an issue with that.

"The sole source of California tourism marketing budget is now directly derived from assessed businesses in the travel and tourism industry."

That's according to the CTTC website. According to their by-laws, their primary office must be in California. I guess no one anticipated that you'd have to tell them that we need the dollars earned in California to stay right here in California. We have some pretty high unemployment numbers floating around these days, in case you haven't noticed.

The other reason? Why would I want a potential tourist's first point of contact about my state to be someone outside of my state?

Does that make any sense at all?

What are we getting in California for the assessment of our hospitality industry dollars?

We're getting a call center in Missouri.

Something is seriously not right with this picture.

Seems there's an awful lot we could learn from Alsace. And I'm not just talking about the Riesling.



I don't know about you but watching that video made me really crave some Tarte d'Alsace.

Note to self. Do not watch food videos on an empty stomach. Especially videos with food that involves creme fraiche, buttery pastry, and a healthy dose of ham and cheese.

Belgique Envy

All this Valentine's talk is making me miss Brussels. Or as they would say, Bruxelles.

I know, I know. Brussels in winter?

Well, yes, it's true that Brussels is cold and rainy and dark in winter. No arguing with that.

But when it comes to chocolate, there's one little shop that's a bright and shining star even on the rainiest and darkest of days.

Yes, I'm talking this shop.



The chocolatier to the crown.

And, yes, there's a good reason for that. It's the very best chocolate even in a city filled with the world's best chocolate.

And if you don't want to venture all the way to Brussels for a box of the very best chocolate you will ever eat, don't worry.

Things have changed since I lived there. Now you can order online! How cool is that?

No, it's not cheap. If you're looking for Recession Luxe, this isn't it.

But it is the best.

And no, I'm not above dropping hints. When you want a 168 Euro box of chocolates, you've got to get the message out there.

Now if I can only make sure the Fabulous Frenchie reads this post.

Oh yeah, there's that little email thingy. That'll do it.

Shhhhh. Don't tell the Fabulous Frenchie but I'd be very happy to get the 96 Euro box instead. But you know how it works. Can't negotiate with your hand showing, can you?

Just Another Beautiful Winter Day in California

Pink skies, green hills.

Sweater weather, just a little bit too warm for an overcoat.

Heading out tomorrow to do some whale watching.

Don't worry, I'll be extra careful about those sneaker waves.

I know a secret spot, high above the beach.

Sneaker Waves

When I first moved to California, I had no idea what a sneaker wave was. And I had lived at the beach for years.

But it wasn't a Pacific beach.

The Pacific, I quickly found out, is not always so peaceful. Especially in winter. It can get angry and, well, it can sneak up on you. And if it does, it can take you out.

The first time it happened to me I was gobsmacked. Of course, we didn't say gobsmacked back then but that's how I felt. Completely and totally shocked.

Walking along the beach peacefully. And all of a sudden I'm waist deep, then thrown to my knees and pulled out on my way to the sea. I learned my lifeguarding skills from some pretty big dudes and I credit that with giving me the strength to save myself. That and some angel looking down on me because, truth is, none of us is really any match for an angry ocean.

I was walking alone that day some twenty years ago. And after I got myself back to shore, I noticed another thing. No one noticed it had happened all that much. They noticed I was now soaking wet. But they weren't paying that much attention to me and it seemed no one noticed I was going out.

So I learned to stay a little further from shore. To pay closer attention to the waves coming in and less attention to the sand below my feet. It took practice.

And even though walking alone on the beach is one of my favorite things, I learned that's not necessarily the best idea out here.

But as careful as I am, I was still pulled down by a sneaker wave again last year. Yep. Got me. Down to my knees again. Again pulling me out to sea.

So when I heard a woman disappeared from Point Reyes a few weeks ago, I knew it could happen in a minute. When a second woman disappeared 2 weeks later, this time a former Park Ranger who knew the waves and beaches well, I was concerned. Seems the Pacific is very angry this year.

Be careful out there. Never turn your back on the Pacific in winter. But don't take my word for it. Here's what happens.



And never think it can't happen to you.