2020 will be known as the year that I didn’t travel. At least not much. Although I had a couple of trips in January and February, before the Coronavirus kicked us all to the curb, I checked nothing off my bucket list. I had several trips planned to check off a few of the items, including a trip to Egypt and a Nile cruise, and two European cruises, so now I’m just hoping travel will be safe again in the second half of 2021. Instead, I worked on business stuff, including cleaning up some themes on my smaller sites, worked on my Pinterest strategy and tactics, launched a new site (although the pandemic meant it’s a very, very slow launch) – My Listly, binged a lot of television and movies, read a lot of books, hosted some virtual wine tastings […]
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Wine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Wilson Creek Winery, Temecula
This virtual wine tasting features Mick Wilson, co-owner of Wilson Creek Winery in Temecula, California. It’s a continuation of our celebration of the wineries in the Temecula Valley. What makes a great wine tasting for us, is learning something along with trying wines that are unfamiliar to us. That’s just what wine tasting with Wilson Creek Winery did – Mick Wilson hit it out of the park with his fun discussion style, useful information, and great wine. The story of how his family decided to change their lifestyle and go all-in on making wine is a feel-good moment at a time when there aren’t a lot of them. Here are some things we learned: Some educational resources for average wine consumers who want to learn more about wine: including the WSET program (Wine & Spirit Educational Trust), the Wine Folly […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Oak Mountain Winery, Temecula
This virtual wine tasting features Kathie Pensinger, wine educator at Oak Mountain Winery in Temecula, California. It’s our continued celebration of Temecula Valley Wine Month and we hope it entices you to discover wines from the region in southern California. I learned so much during this tasting! From learning about the wine halo in the glass, to some simple wine etiquette. From learning about the winery’s Cave (a wine cave? how fun) to tips that will help me choose wines that I’m most likely to enjoy. The evening was jam-packed with good information. Watch a replay of the live tasting below. We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms and you can listen and or subscribe to this virtual […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting: Akash Winery & Vineyard, Temecula
This virtual wine tasting features Akash Patel, owner of Akash Winery & Vineyards in Temecula, California. It’s our celebration of Temecula Valley Wine Month and we hope it entices you to discover wines from the region in southern California. I loved Akash’s story of the family journey from New Mexico motel owner/operators to California winery owners – and it shows proof that visualization (having that picture on the wall of your dream) works. Watch a replay of the live tasting below: We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms and you can listen and or subscribe to this virtual wine tasting series there. We’re currently on: Apple Podcasts Spotify Google Podcasts Overcast Pocket Casts Radio Public Breaker Anchor FM […]
Read MoreHow to Have Fun at Northwest Trek
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a great place to view nature in a spacious, outdoor setting. You’ll see all sorts of native Northwest flora and fauna at this park in Eatonville, Washington. Read on to discover more about the touring options and the animals you’ll see at Northwest, along with our tips for making the most of your time at this wonderful place. Visiting Northwest Trek There are currently three ways to experience the magnificent Northwest Trek flora and fauna – Keeper Adventure Tours (recently reinstated), the Wild Drive. or the Wild Walk. Make the choice based on your budget and whether you want to walk, ride, or drive. All of the options allow you to see and learn more about the wildlife native to the Washington and Pacific Northwest area. Keeper Adventure Tours at Northwest Trek Keeper Adventure Tours […]
Read MoreVisiting Boulder [Interview on Travel Planners Radio Show]
This past weekend I was a guest on Travel Planners Radio Show, an opportunity to discuss travel to Boulder, Colorado, with hosts Sue and Kevin McCarthy. I’ve known Sue and Kevin for years. We often saw one another at travel shows or conferences, catching on where we’ve been, where we’re going, and sharing great destinations. Since that’s not happening in 2020, it was fun to catch up on their radio show; an opportunity for me to share a recent trip (earlier this year) to Boulder. I think Sue and Kevin would enjoy a trip to Boulder and I think you would, too. Take a listen to the show (in two parts due to a live commercial break that has been removed for this recording). You listen to the Travel Planners Radio Show on their flagship station, WCGO in Chicago as […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Visiting Boulder, Colorado
If you are thinking about visiting Boulder, Colorado, and are curious about things to do there, check out our helpful weekend getaway travel guide on what to do, where to eat, and where to stay in this mountain destination. Located 20 minutes northwest of Denver, was established in 1859 by explorers in search of gold. It’s located in Boulder Valley, the spot where the Great Plains meet the Rocky Mountains, creating a location that attracts visitors with its fun lineup of activities. Some of this content was prepared as a result of sponsored travel. Things To Do In Boulder, Colorado Whether you are an outdoor fanatic, in search of intellectual motivation, or just an individual who wishes to have a relaxing yet enjoyable value luxury vacation, Boulder is worth a visit. You’ll find outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, rock climbing, […]
Read MoreWeekend Getaway: Visit El Paso, Texas
If it’s not currently on your bucket list, put it there, because it would be a mistake not to visit El Paso, Texas. Located in the far western part of Texas, at the intersection of Texas, New Mexico, and Chihuahua, Mexico, El Paso is rich in history and culture. You might not initially think of visiting El Paso, but as more and more travelers are prioritizing domestic travel over international, this is a city worthy of consideration. Whether you’re lining up a Texas road trip, going in search of Tex-Mex cuisine, or just finally getting to cities that you’ve overlooked, there are plenty of things to do in El Paso. Here is my guide on how to create a terrific El Paso vacation. Things to do in El Paso, Texas Since El Paso shares a border with Mexico, it was […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with Smoky Rose Cellars, Walla Walla
This virtual wine tasting features Jodi and Josh Rosnowski from Smoky Rose Cellars in Walla Walla, Washington. We had some technical difficulties (user error) and despite our best efforts, we are unable to resuscitate a playable video or audio version of the virtual tasting. We’re gutted about this, it was a fun conversation and tasting, and will be trying to put together a follow up recording to post here later. Smoky Rose is a family-owned and operated business. Josh, a retired Air Force meteorologist is the winemaker and vineyard manager. Jodi, a food microbiologist, runs the tasting room and events side of the business. Sister Amy, currently a Cobra Helicopter pilot wth the USMC, is poised to jump in once she retires. Mom and Dad, Jill and Bill, help out with everything from harvest, errands, retail, and anything else that’s […]
Read MoreWine with MJ: Virtual Wine Tasting with The Wine Cafe, Fayetteville, North Carolina
On this virtual wine tasting, we feature Angie Malave from The Wine Cafe in Fayetteville, North Carolina. Angie chose two wines for the tasting from JOLO Winery in Pilot Mountain, North Carolina, as she felt that these were representative of the fine wine selections made with the state’s grapes. We tasted a 2019 Golden Hallows (white) and a 2018 Jolotage (red). These wines are available at The Wine Cafe. May is North Carolina wine month, so put that on your calendar for future wine travels. Watch the episode below: (We had some sound difficulty at the beginning of the episode, but it resolves soon, and we’ve fixed the problem for future episodes.) We also have the episode available in an audio format. You can listen directly from the player below. Or, we’re also set up on the major podcast player platforms […]
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