Winner: Eureka! Travel Writing Award

“My Year In California” won the 2014 Eureka! Travel Writing Award.  No. Not the grand prize, a weekend at the swanky Cavallo Point Resort near San Francisco, which would have been sa-weet, but rather, the “Thematic/Lifestyle” category.   Truth be told, I’m happy to receive anything, especially a certificate.  Thank you Visit California for this awesome validation.  Remember, nothin’s finer than a 49er — our Golden State. 

My Book Won An Award

My Year In California won the silver award from the North American Travel Journalists Association.   So excited to share the gift of living in the Golden State with the rest of the world. 

Keeping The Spirit Alive

Ojai, CA -- Julie Tumamait-Stenslie, pictured here, is the Chairperson for the Barbareño/Ventureño- Band of Mission Indians. Julie, a generous and accomplished woman, proudly carries the traditions of her family by sharing Chumash culture, history and songs to youth groups, schools, elder hostels, church and civic organizations.  Julie’s lived in the Ojai area nearly her entire life, and currently owns a home in the Meiners Oaks neighborhood, very near the birthplace of her great, great grandmother, Maria Ricarda Alulalmeque, who was raised in the Chumash village of Matilija. 

Photo: Graham Dunn

My Year In California

Basecamp, CA -- Every step of the journey is the journey.  The book I've worked on for the last four years is now printed.  Yipeee!  To learn more about it, visit: myyearincalifornia.com.  For anyone lucky enough to have their dream come true, I pose a question: Now what?  Stay tuned.

Judging A Book By Its Cover

Basecamp, CA -- Here it is!

Kickstarter Campaign Successful

On Independence Day, the book printing of "My Year In California ~ a journey toward midlife renewal" was funded on Kickstarter. Yippee!!! So grateful and humbled. My heart overflows with gratitude. Thank you to all my backers. 

Here We Go!

Basecamp, CA--I've been writing a book "My Year In California ~ a journey toward midlife renewal," for the last 18 months.  It is 90 percent complete.  Yipee!!  I've launched a Kickstarter campaign to help fund the book's printing.  Visit the site to learn more about my project.  If you feel inspired to contribute and receive a reward, great.  I encourage you to view the Kickstarter website and see for yourself all the creative projects that people are working on.  Who knows, maybe you might just catch the fire and start your own project.