Heading Into the Weekend Stretch

Enjoy yours.

Dogfriendly Carmel

The good folks at Dogfriendly.com have announced their top ten dog friendly resort areas in America.

California won 2 places on the list: Carmel and Mendocino.

Carmel City Beach, in fact, is described as one of the best dog friendly beaches in America.

And that it is, that it is.

Glimpses of Magic

An abundance of krill has brought on a feeding frenzy in Monterey Bay. Blue whales, humpback whales, they're all there. It's a rare summertime glimpse at nature's most enduring mammal. What a treat.

If you've never been on a whale watching expedition, this might be a perfect time to think about one.

And I don't know about you, but I just can't make a visit to Monterey without a visit to the Aquarium.

Always delightful, every single time.

Sacrificial Lambs

It seems that inn owners in Arizona are none-too-pleased that their governor is telling ludicrous stories of beheadings and other non-existent crimes in their state.

Who knew that scare tactics might actually scare tourists away? Hmmmm.

Well, it seems everyone knew who didn't have a vested interest in the private prison complex in Arizona.

What do the innkeepers cited in the article have to say about the motives of their own governor's advisors in this whole debacle?

“I think they’re covering their own personal interests, and as a consequence, Arizona and its tourism needs are being the sacrificial lambs to some extent,”

Yes, I think that about sums it up. I'd say that sums it up nicely but, really, there is nothing nice about this whole disgrace.

Nothing nice at all.

Brilliant Day

Here in Northern California.

Perfectly brilliant.

Don't Miss Paella Guy

For 18 years now the folks at Gloria Ferrer Caves & Vineyards have celebrated the winery's Spanish roots by hosting an annual Catalan Festival.

Classic guitar, flamenco dancers, great wine. What's not to like?

My favorite: the noontime paella cooking demonstration by Jose Castenada, known affectionately as Paella Guy by loyal fans.

The festival takes place Saturday and Sunday, July 24th and 25th, in Carneros.

If you go, don't miss Paella Guy. And definitely don't miss the fruits of his masterful labor.

Love Hate Relationship Indeed

Hotel News Now has an interesting post up by Stephen Hennis about the love/hate relationship between occupancy and rate. With simple charts, he spells out pretty clearly the negative impact rate cutting has had on RevPAR.

Go on over and read the whole thing, but here's the takeaway:

"The more properties dropped rates, the worse their RevPAR index change was, indicating that the upside in occupancy performance did not compensate for the sacrifice in rate, at least in terms of competitiveness."

Stephen finishes up with a conclusion that regular readers won't be surprised to find that I agree with 100%:

"it appears that the prognosticators were correct in preaching to the industry that they should hold rate. However, based on the volume of hotels who did not maintain rate, it was easier said than done."

What, pray tell, makes holding rates so very difficult? Panic and nothing but.

Reducing rates just because it's slower than last year may fill some rooms. But you'll make less money. Yes, I know I've been preaching that same message for a long time now. It's a message I'm going to keep on repeating.

What's an innkeeper to do? Don't panic. Hold that rate.

It's the only way to make it through this recession, which is not going anywhere anytime soon.

Trust me on that one.

Fog Wonderful Fog

Among the many blessings of Northern California, the fog has to be one of the most incredible.

Not only does it cool us each summer afternoon, it also gives moisture to thirsty redwoods.

And it's a photographer's dream as the Fabulous Frenchie proves over and over again.

Loves Apples

Babies everywhere you look in Sonoma County these days. Baby raccoons and baby foxes especially.

One of the foxes who has been visiting our compost bin brought her 4 children around for a grand tour of all the good feeding spots.

They like apples. The good news is that around here there are lots of apples. They won't go hungry anytime soon.

Lots and lots of apples.

Service Animals Always Welcome

An area that often gets small inns in trouble, especially B&Bs who often have strict no pets policies, is service animals.

It's always a good idea to print out this page from DOJ regarding the ADA requirements as they relate to service animals. I like to keep the printout right in the front of the reservation book so it's not something any innkeeper ever needs to look for. Wherever you keep it, keep it handy.

But really the rules are pretty simple. Here are some basics to always remember.

You must allow them. Period. Anywhere the guest wants to go, the service animal can go, too.

Service animals are not pets. They are exempt from any additional fees or cleaning charges that might normally apply to pets. Yes, they may be cute and even cuddly. They are no doubt much loved by their human companions. But they are serious workers, not pets.

If the animal is disruptive, just like any disruptive animal or guest, you may ask the guest and service animal to leave. But seriously, these are generally well-trained animals. They are, for the most part, not going to be disruptive.

Disabled guests, whatever their disability, have the absolute right to feel welcome and to be treated well in any inn. If they need their service animal with them to make a visit possible, welcome them with open arms.

And a smile.

Like a Modern Day Quilting Bee

Michael over at Inspired by Charm has a great post up that I hope everyone goes over to visit. And to participate in.

Michael wants to make a quilt. But here's the thing. He wants your help. Our help.

How? Send him your 6-inch square cotton fabric pieces for his quilt.

No, not just any fabric. Yes, there's a color/design factor going on. After all, Michael is one tasteful fellow.

Me? I'm looking for my pinking shears right this minute. Plenty of scraps to send on.

How about you?

Summer of the Fox

It began in May. We kept seeing foxes. We thought it was the month of the fox.

But no, the sightings continued through June and now well into July.

If this particular fox seems content and well fed, it's because he is.



No, that's not a henhouse. If it were, there wouldn't be any hens left.

It's a compost bin, one that produces some really rich soil. It also is a constant source of snacks for this guy.



Sometimes the good life just makes him want to dance.

It has that same effect on all of us.

Big Time

The 30th Annual Big Time Festival coming up this Saturday at Point Reyes.

Always worth a stop if you're anywhere nearby. The traditional dancing is always wonderful as are the crafts available for sale.

Nowhere To Go But Up

As the year goes on, we hear more and more talk about the slow recovery of the travel industry. Things are looking up, they say.

Of course, it helps to remember what that really means. Especially when things on the ground don't look all that rosy.

But when you're starting from this:

"room revenue in 2009 fell 14.2 percent in year-over-year comparisons. Total revenue for the industry declined US$13.4 billion to US$127.2 billion. "

and this,

"Each of the three key performance metrics, including occupancy, average daily rate and revenue per available room, reported decreases during every month of 2009. RevPAR fell 16.7 percent to US$53.53, the worst decline recorded since STR started tracking the industry in 1987,"

then it doesn't take a whole lot of upward movement for things to be better.

Better than last year, that is.

Back to sustainable levels? No. Not even close.

But we can dream, can't we?

Meet the Graduates

This weekend the Marine Mammal Center released baby seals into Bodega Bay.

Fortunately, Kathlene from Bodega Bay Life was there to snap some photos as well as the heartwarming short video segment above.

Like every child's first visit to the ocean, the venture was full of fits and starts.

Some caught their first wave like they were born to it. Most, though, stuck together and bounced back to shore more than once.

Eventually the lure of the waves was stronger than their apprehension.

All swam away to much cheering and many well wishes.

Mendocino Music Festival

I've always been of the mindset that you don't really need any reason to go to Mendocino.

But for folks who need a reason, you won't find one better than the Mendocino Music Festival.

The upcoming festival promises a diversity of options for literally any musical taste. Under the Big Top, overlooking the wild north coast Pacific Ocean, festival goers can choose from events ranging from symphony orchestra, opera, folk, jazz, chamber and world music.

It runs from July 10 and goes for two full weeks until July 24th.

The setting is sublime. The whole village reverberates with a cadence and a shared smile throughout each festival.

If you're planning to be anywhere near Northern California, don't miss it. But hurry. It's literally just around the corner.

Yikes Redux

Regular readers will remember my Yikes at the SpiderLabs report released earlier in the year, highlighting the problem of hackers targeting the hotel industry.

So when the New York Times published an article about the same issue, just yesterday, I was intrigued.

Was there a new report? New data? Some new results to justify covering a report that's now old news?

No. But there was indeed a reason for the coverage of an old issue. It's this, from the author:

"My wife and I had separate credit cards that we used for business travel, but each account was compromised in the last eight months shortly after hotel stays. In both cases, hackers made multiple unauthorized purchases — all for small amounts and as many as 10 in one day — from merchants like the Apple iTunes Store"

You'll notice what's missing from that information. Anything actually linking the author and his wife's credit card breach with the hotels in question.

It's just an assumption.

Will other travelers make the same assumption? Of course.

So even if your guest data is absolutely secure and you've done everything you could to lock things down tight as a drum, be prepared for worried guests.

Who are they gonna believe? You or some dude who made some fairly big and unproven assumptions?

I'm guessing the dude.

Like a Tuesday in October

It's heartbreaking to watch.

And no, I'm not talking about the oil soaked birds or dolphins or sea turtles. I literally CANNOT watch their deaths. I prefer to remember them as they were, much as I prefer to remember all those whose deaths I honor.

No, the heartbreak I'm talking about is the slow death of denial in the tourism industry in the Gulf.

It was clear from the beginning that the potential loss of dollars was prompting some really bad decisions. Like keeping beaches open.

No surprise at all that those foolhardy swimmers are now getting sick.

The real surprise will come when the liability claims start pouring in.

Think they'll care that the tourism officials were feeling desperate at the time they encouraged tourists to swim in toxic waters?

No, me neither.

No, Your Sister is NOT Your Immediate Relative

And neither is your nephew.

At least that's the position of the State of California in controversial charges and somewhat shocking penalties levied against families helping out on small organic farms.

Oh and the farm we're talking about is really, really small. How small? One acre small. And by the way, Draper Farms may be tiny tiny tiny but their veggies are tasty tasty tasty.

If you'd have asked me a year ago if anyone might be looking at a one-acre farm for any kind of compliance issue, especially the free labor provided by family members, I wouldn't have thought they'd be on anyone's radar.

I would have been wrong.

Think your inn or homestay is too small for anyone to worry about? Think again. Especially if your business also includes even the tiniest agricultural patch, someone is paying attention.

Sure, it's become quite fashionable for B&Bs to allow aspiring innkeepers to "intern" at inns, which really means working shifts under the supervision of the owner and not getting paid. But if you're in California, don't even think about it.

Even if it's your sister. In this state, apparently that's just not close enough to work for free.

They work, they get paid. That's the law.

God Bless America

Happy Birthday Everyone!

Land O'Plenty

Fox sightings continue.

For local kitties, it's no cause for concern. Or movement.

On the Great News Front

Really we could not have a nicer person or a better representative of the poetry community than W.S. Merwin as America's 17th Poet Laureate

His talents are only matched by his open heart.

While the congratulations go out, it's important to remember that, especially in this case, the real winners are us.

Now all we have to do is listen. And learn.

Fifty Seven Percent

Yes, that's 57 percent of Americans have cancelled or cut back on vacations during the Great Recession, according to a new report out by Pew.

Add to that figure 200,000 California families who have just had any possibility of a July holiday eliminated, compliments of our very own Governator. Announced just in time for the big holiday weekend.

These are, indeed, interesting times we are living in.

For those of us entrusted with ensuring that travelers get the most out of their precious getaways, it helps to be mindful of just how lucky we are, all things considered.

My advice? Count your blessings. And be ready for a groundswell of cancellations to hit the West Coast.