wittigwriter

"Hands Across Sunnyside" shows neighborhood solidarity

2011-08-05T16:23:00.001-07:00

Principal Joe Gutierrez shows neighborhood unity in front of Killip School.

Today a human chain made its way along 6th Avenue in Flagstaff's Sunnyside neighborhood to show neighborhood solidarity. Citizens joined members of the Sunnyside Neighborhood Association, Killip Elementary School children and teachers in the event to show the power of community. Passing cars honked and neighbors waved.

"It was heart warming to hear the children say, 'We love our neighborhood'," said Coral Evans, Executive Director at The Sunnyside Neighborhood Association of Flagstaff, Inc. The group whose motto is "Blending Cultures, Enriching Lives" hoped to bring out enough people to link 4th Street with West Street, a distance of about 1/2 mile. "We could have had it, if we'd stretched out a bit," said one participant.

"This is a good start. We have next year," said Deb Hill, community organizer. About 400 people participated in this inaugural event.

Children from Killip Elementary School (Kindergarten though sixth grade) made up most of the human chain. The school has a year-round schedule. Principal Joe Gutierrez held hands with children and smiled as he was tugged along in line.

Deb Hill in foreground with Coral Evans (in background) watching for the gap to be filled.

Jamie Hasapis helps direct the human chain in Flagstaff, AZ.

Enjoy this article? Don't miss future articles by subscribing to this blog. Thank you, Stacey.

Social Media Marketing Tip: Add more than one email to Facebook

2011-02-01T16:20:00.000-07:00

Adding emails accounts to Facebook will help others "Friend" you easier. By registering and associating all the email addresses that you have, or have ever used, FB allows friends, family and biz associates to automatically and instantly send "Friend" requests to you.

The “Friend” request is activated by whichever email that they have in their email address book for you. But the request can only be connected to you in FB if you have also added that old/new email address to your FB account. FB will then automatically link “Friends” to you via that old or new email address.

Tip: After adding email addresses to your FB account, make sure that you check the radial button of the email address that you want to use as your main FB contact email.

In Facebook go to: Account>Account settings>Email

Like this article? Share it with your friends using the buttons at the bottom of the posting. Stacey Wittig is an award-winning marketing strategist based in Flagstaff, Arizona.

7 secrets to successful promotion of Examiner

2010-02-22T17:28:00.001-07:00

Have a website, but you aren't getting traffic? Here are seven secrets of internet marketing and email marketing to driving traffic to your website.

1.) Set up all your email accounts to populate an automatic signature at the bottom of each email. Then add a weblink to your website to the automatic signature. I use Bit_ly.com to shorten my URL (weblink) and get a count of how many people click-thru from my emails. (Bit_ly.com gives you a cool report on click-thrus.) My automatic signature looks like this:

Stacey Wittig
Freelance writer
PO Box 17032
Munds Park, AZ 86017-7032
http://bit.ly/5JPTqS
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.co/in/wittigwriter
http://twitter.com/travelwriter
wittigwriter.blogspot.com
wittigwriter@gmail.com

2.) Twitter Tip: As you can see from my email signature, I use Twitter and let all the people who get my emails know that I am on Twitter. That helps build my Twitter following. I Tweet three times through the day about info in my website and include a link to my website (again using bit_ly.com). I space the three tweets per article throughout the day. Click here to learn more about using Twitter: http://bit.ly/aw1qVM

3.) When interviewing someone, get their email address and Twitter name. They will love to see their name in print, so email them a link to your Examiner article. I always ask them to email it out to their customer or friend list. (Because they love others to see their name in print, too!) Do the same thing with Twitter, ask them to ReTweet the link to "their" article.

4.) If I have provided a link in my article to someone's website, I always ask for a link from their site to mine. That helps with SEO and getting a higher ranking on search engines.

5.) I set Twitter up to automatically populate my Facebook account. That way, I don't spend much time on Facebook, I let Twitter do all the work. I check my Facebook for messages and friend requests about twice a week.

6.) At the end of each article, I ask the reader to "subscribe" with this comment:

Enjoy this article? Receive e-mail alerts when new Phoenix hiking articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button above.

7.) About once every 30 -45 days, I send a link to a funny or wide-appeal Examiner article that I have written to my personal email list of friends and family. I ask them to "Subscribe." I haven't gotten many subscribers, but people tell me that they enjoy the articles, so I am getting hits from the email marketing.

Stacey Wittig is a freelance writer and marketing consultant located in Flagstaff, AZ Shew writes for Examiner.com as "Phoenix Hiking Examiner" and "Grand Canyon Hiking Examiner." Enjoy this article? Receive e-mail alerts when new marketing articles are available. Just click on the “Subscribe” button above.

New marketing tool for you business

2009-11-19T22:24:00.001-07:00

Twitter users watch as a million lights illuminate Red Rock Fantasy in Sedona, AZ

Sedona, Arizona -- Los Abrigados Resort in Sedona hosted the Sedona Tweet Up tonight as a million points of light were turned on for the lighting of "Red Rock Fantasy." About 30 social media-savvy innovators watched as Santa Claus arrived via helicopter.

You can bet that those tweople will be twittering about the gala to all their friends and family on Twitter and Facebook tonight and tomorrow. You can't BUY advertising that good! Word-of-mouth advertising is as good as it gets. That's what 1000s of customers told me when I was selling newspaper, Outdoor or Yellow Page advertising. Recommendations will drive traffic to your business faster than the printed (advertised) word. Much of the time, when a friend refers a potential client to your business, that potential client won't question price. That's an added bonus.

So what lesson can be learned here? What is the new marketing tool for your business? To coincide with your next company event, invite your Twitter followers. Ask them to invite THEIR Twitter followers. Tell them to RT (re-tweet) your invitation. Call it a "Tweet Up." Offer appetizers, raffle prizes or free drinks.

Don't have an upcoming company event? Then plan one. It could be a little get together in the lobby, the lighting of a Christmas tree in the break room, an open house in the garage. Make it a "Tweet-up" and soon you'll be the talk of the town. Or the Tweet of the town...

BTW, you can see the awesome display of lights, and take photos like the one I captured above from now until January 2, 2010.

Los Abrigados Resort

160 Portal Lane, Sedona, Arizona 86336

877-695-4161 (Online Specials & Promotions)
928-282-1777 (Los Abrigados Resort Front Desk

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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Marketing and Sales is a Flagstaff marketing strategist and copy writer. Follow her blog for more FREE marketing ideas, Twitter tips and free marketing advice on how to use social media and internet marketing to promote your service or product. Simply go to the right column and "Follow" or "Subscribe." It's FREE!

Make Twitter Work for Your Business

2009-10-21T13:14:00.005-07:00

Larry Pollock (macsupportcasts) shares Twitter tip as Margo Christensen (PrescottTourism) and Paula Monthofer (PaulaMonthofer) look on.

Sedona, Arizona -- Last night I attended the Sedona / Verde Valley's monthly Tweet-Up at the Hilton Sedona Resort and Spa. The lively gathering of over thirty business tweople shared Twitter tips. Here are just a few of those Twitter tips on how to make Twitter work for your business:

Link your Twitter to your Facebook account. Save time: your Tweets will automatically populate to your Facebook wall, as shared by Jane Ginn of Sedona Cyber Link.
"I increased my hits 30-50% by adding a video or photo link to my Tweets," said Megan Aronson of SedonaTV and Red Rock TV 16. Tweeting about Sedona? Megan says go to her You Tube channel and help yourself. www.youtube.com/user/sedonatv
Use CalTweet as an event management tool. Sheryl, our fabulous hostess from HiltonSedona said she likes to use FutureTweets.com as well. The free service lets you schedule your Twitter messages, but no spam allowed!
TweetStats.com is another handy tool for tracking your Tweets. For instance, TweetStats tells me that I rarely Tweet on Sundays, and hardly ever between midnight and 9 a.m. during the remainder of the week. Using this data, I could schedule Tweets using FutureTweets.com. That might help with building my European and African audience.
Best Twitter tip of all: join us Thursday November 19 at 5:30 Shef's Bar at Los Abrigado Resort & Spa in Sedona. There will be complimentary appetizers, drink specials and Raffle prizes. Afterwards you can take a tour of the 19th Annual Red Rock Fantasy light show. Tickets are discounted this year" $5/adult, $2/child ages 5-12.

Tweeps from communities across northern Arizona including Sedona, Verde Valley, Flagstaff, Williams, Prescott and Munds Park congregated at Hilton Sedona.

Proceeds from the event and raffle went to Camp Soaring Eagle, a Paul Newman "Hole in the Wall" camp for children with serious and life-threatening medical conditions. Did I mention that I won a HUGE bouquet of fresh flowers and also a year's subscription to Arizona Vines and Wines magazine last night? Yeah, baby!

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Stacey Wittig (Travelwriter) of Wittigwriter Marketing and Sales helps market small businesses using the internet, social media and plain ol' paper media including business cards, brochures and reports. Call her to discuss strategies for your business. 928-699-0696

Largest Collection of AZ Artist Available for Public Review

2009-10-08T10:37:00.001-07:00

Williams, AZ -- Bronzes by B R Pettit recently launched a website featuring the largest collection of bronze sculptures by Williams, Arizona artist B R Pettit. This is the first time that so many pieces of the artist's work are together for public showings.

B R Pettit was an Arizonan artist who is best known for his monumental statue entitled "Ole Bill Williams" that stands as a sentinel to "The Gateway for the Grand Canyon" in Williams, AZ. The eight-foot tall monument of the mountain man, for whom Williams, AZ was named, has become a Route 66 icon. http://www.mountainmanbronzes.com/

Pettit's work was prominently displayed in the Oval Office by President Ronald Reagan during the duration of his terms in office. The piece entitled "Ole Bill" was taken cross country to Reagan's home in California. That bronze statue by Bill Pettit is currently in the collection of the Reagan Presidential Library and assigned the reference number 1985.00359.01.

The original limited edition of 30 was sold out in the 1980s. For the first time since then, a second limited edition is being made available to the public. Read more at http://www.mountainmanbronzes.com/

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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a marketing strategist and social media consultant. Subscribe to this website for free internet marketing tips and strategies.

Is a Colorado River Rafting Trip on YOUR "Bucket List?"

2009-10-01T22:49:00.000-07:00

Jack Nicolson and Morgan Freeman star in the comedy-drama film, "The Bucket List." They portray two terminally ill men on a road trip in a race to check off each of the things on their wish list, before they "kick the bucket." After watching the movie, many of my traveling friends have drawn up their own "Bucket Lists." Running the Colorado River through the Grand Canyon is on many bucket lists. With bookings down, 2010 might just be the year to check this one off your wish list.

So don your wide-brimmed hat, pull on your Tevas and pack plenty of waterproof sunscreen. Head downstream for the ultimate family adventure vacation. With cold spray of the Colorado River on your face and the hot Arizona breeze in your hair, you’ll experience the magical grandeur of the Grand Canyon.

Hike to cool grottos or ancient ruins, experience thundering whitewater or dip into blue-green pools below bubbling waterfalls. The adrenalin rush and thrill of surging through fast-moving water may give you “Rapids Fever." Or you may simply enjoy the serenity of a personal journey that reconnects you to earth, family... and yourself.

The choice is yours. Perhaps a 15-day trip accompanied by a string quartet is the voyage for you. Listed as Sunset Magazine’s Top Ten Rafting Trips, the quartet performs in acoustically-perfect side canyons of the Grand Canyon along the way. Other specialty Colorado River rafting experiences include Arizona Highways Photo Workshops and Elder Hostel trips with Northern Arizona University.

Flagstaff River Rafting companies offer six-day to eighteen-day trips. You may choose from oar rafts, paddle rafts, motorized rafts and pontoon boats, or dories. Hybrid trips which include a combination of oar rafts, paddle rafts and kayaks create even more options.

Join people from all walks of life that make this incomparable journey down the breath-taking Grand Canyon every year. You may come as a solo adventurer or book your whole family for the unrivaled vacation of a lifetime. If a white water adventure is on your bucket list, contact any of the following Flagstaff river guides. Tell them Vagabonding Lulu sent you!

Arizona Raft Adventures, Inc.
4050-F E. Huntington Drive, Flagstaff, AZ 86004

928-526-8200

Canyon Explorations/Canyon Expeditions
P.O. Box 310, Flagstaff, AZ 86002

928-774-4559

Canyoneers, Inc.
P.O. Box 2997, Flagstaff, AZ 86003

928-526-0924

Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Marketing and Sales is a travel writer and marketing strategist. Let her help you with compelling web copy, email campaigns, social media and blogging.

Mountain Man Bronzes to launch

2009-09-08T14:11:00.002-07:00

Mountain Man Bronzes is getting ready to launch a new website. It will reveal new photos of the work of B.R. Pettit, Arizonan artist.

Posting from Picasa, "Dance of the Yellow Apron." Recently cast in Sedona, AZ.

Local Mountain Man Immortalized at Sedona Foundry

2009-08-25T10:42:00.001-07:00

When Bill Pettit, artist and historical reenactment expert told Lee Henson, "I want to make a bust of you," Henson's answer was a flat out "No." But Henson's wife Ella Mae was there, and she gave the go ahead.

The three had gathered for the Williams Rendezvous Days which celebrates the rich history and lifestyle of 1800s fur trappers and Mountain Men. They were dressed in buckskins and authentic reproductions of the clothing of early frontiers folk.

Pettit desired to create a detailed bronze of a historically-accurate fur trader in trapper's regalia, and Henson had 'the look.' "In a week, he [Pettit] brought back a wax bust and set it on the kitchen table. He asked Ella Mae if there was anything that needed to be changed," Henson related. Soon the sculpture was on its way to the foundry. That was almost twenty years ago.

Last month Henson and his wife toured Artscape Bronze Casting in Sedona with Pettit's widow, Laurha Beveridge. The trio met with owner Rob Myers for consultation on reproducing the bust, entitled "Rendezvous." They were given a tour of the facility by Jeremy Ivy, an expert in bronze patinas, who explained the multi-step casting process.

"If I could, I'd still kill him," quipped Henson of the artist. He believes Pettit never did enough to promote his own art. "I appreciate his art a lot," added the living model. Pettit died of complications from Addison's disease in 2006. Pettit's last ante-mortem piece was cast at Artscape Bronze Casting.

Although the living model's face has lost some of its fleshy substance, the strength and confidence that Pettit captured of Henson's middle age will stand the test of time. Just as the Mountain Men of yesteryear.

Mountain Men were trappers, explorers and scouts who roamed the west from around 1810 to the 1840s. Most were involved with the beaver fur trade -- a demand that came from the popularity of the stove-pipe hat made of beaver felt. Many moderns celebrate the time period with historical reenactment of the dress and lifestyle of Mountain Men. Well-known Mountain Men include Bill Williams, Kit Carson and Jeremiah Johnson.

Photo: Youthful Jeremy Ivy describes casting process to Lee Henson, living model of historical bronze bust.
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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Marketing and Sales is a marketing consultant who works with museums and artists. This article appeared in a 2009 issue Sedona Red Rock News. Wittig is based in Flagstaff, AZ and helps small businesses with internet marketing, social media and good ol' stories and news releases.

Using Less Toilet Paper During the Economy Downturn?

2009-08-21T15:40:00.009-07:00

Are you using less toilet paper during the economic downturn? Have you noticed the empty roll at your hometown restaurant? Are you squirreling away toilet paper from home to use during banquets at local hotels or, gasp, the gas station advertising "Clean Restrooms"?

Maybe its time to complain, as this could be affecting your local economy. Today SCA Tissue North America announced that the shrinking demand for toilet paper and other paper products is causing lay-offs.

The Flagstaff plant supplies toilet paper to hotels and restaurants in Arizona, California and parts of Colorado.

A press release blamed the lay-offs on a “softening in customer orders due to the weakened economy.”

I suggest that hotel management starts buying local, not just for their gourmet chef, but also for their hosekeeping departments. SCA Tissue uses recycled paper to produce their sustainable products. By Local - Buy Recycled Toilet Paper?
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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a sales and marketing strategist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. She also enjoys writing about sustainable travel as a Flagstaff travel writer. Communicating from Flagstaff, AZ today.

Wittigwriter Returns from Tanzania

2009-08-20T12:05:00.003-07:00

Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Marketing and Sales returned from Africa earlier this month. The marketing strategist served in the village of Lyamungo Kati in the Kilimanjaro region of Tanzania.

"I was proud to be part of a team that facilitated a training seminar for Sunday School teachers," Wittig said. The team was invited by the Northern Diocese of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania.

"Sunday school teachers walked from miles around to attend the sessions. They were interested to learn new teaching methodologies to add to their already great curriculum. These folks have been teaching Sunday school for years, and we wanted to give them something that they could add to their tool box.

"I taught Bringing the Bible to Life, a segment that gets the teachers involved with drama, fabric stories and movement. We all had fun with the new materials," she added.

"Later, we had a chance to attend Sunday school at different churches and we were so blessed to observe the teachers using the methodologies we had shared earlier in the week," said Wittig sharing about the Kidz at Heart training session. Kidz at Heart is a non-profit organization whose mission is "Reaching Kidz Around the World for Christ."

The marketing strategist who enjoys teaching her clients about social media and the internet was one of the only business people on the team. Most team members were professional teachers.

NATJA Conference Celebrates Travel Writing

2009-06-16T08:33:00.008-07:00

The North American Travel Journalists Association met for its annual conference in Cleveland last week. The above video was produced by Cleveland+ - the area's convention and visitors' bureau. You may get a glimpse of NATJA's newest member, Stacey Wittig, in some of these shots.

Good internet marketing, Cleveland+!
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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a marketing consultant and freelance writer based in Flagstaff, AZ.

Wittig Honored as 1000th Member of Climbing for Christ

2009-05-09T13:11:00.005-07:00

Stacey Wittig was recognized as the thousandth new member of Climbing for Christ this week. She was awarded special prizes and gifts. The NY-based organization announced, "We praise God for the growing membership and pray that those who join Climbing For Christ will seek to serve the Lord through prayer, giving, and/or going."

The Christian organization of climbers and mountaineers announced the folowing list of new members in their monthly newsletter:

* Stacey Desrosiers of San Jose, Calif.
* Janine Diekmeijer of Groningen, Netherlands
* Brandy Everts of Pincher Creek, Alberta, Canada
* Daniel Manahera of Jakarta, Indonesia
* Stacey Wittig of Munds Park, Ariz.

"We rejoice and offer thanks that all of these climbers have been moved by the Spirit to join us on this great adventure as we climb in His direction," added Gary Fallesen, President and founder of Climbing for Christ.

Wittig was thrilled to be recognized as the 1,000th member of the organization. "It was exciting to see my name listed with other new members from places like Groningen (Netherlands), Alberta and Jakarta," she said. Learn more at www.ClimbingForChrist.org
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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a freelance writer and internet marketing strategist based in Flagstaff, Arizona. She enjoys sharing FREE travel tips and zany travel deals with her readers and friends. Subscribe to this blog for fun travel stories and more FREE travelers advice.

Follow the travel tipster on TWITTER: Travelwriter

Writers and Hikers Converge at Grand Canyon

2009-04-07T20:59:00.009-07:00

Writers and hikers gathered to tell tales of Grand Canyon escapade at the annual Grand Canyon Hikers Symposium this past Saturday. Fifteen presentations kept the audience in shock and awe as those in attendance laughed, listened and gasped in unison.

PowerPoint presentations including maps and photo shots of 'exposure' (to tall heights) seemed to compete to tell the most thrilling adventure. Authors of books on the Grand Canyon, friends of Grand Canyon legendary characters, macho rope-totting canyoneers as well as a quippy 10-year-old girl shared their Grand Canyon backpacking exploits.

A fun day of story telling and photo sharing. If you, too, have been bitten by the Grand Canyon obsession, don't miss next year's symposium. Go to www.gchba.com for more information.

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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a freelance writer and marketing strategist based in Flagstaff, AZ. Subscribe to this blog to get FREE marketing advice and up-to-date information about Flagstaff, Northern Arizona and the American Southwest. She writes website copy, email campaigns and blog posts for small businesses.

8 Tips for Getting Good Audio

2009-02-25T12:06:00.006-07:00

from Peter Stevenson
2009 Museum-Ed Conference
Museum Audio Tours

Rule #1: Find comfortable and quiet place.

Listen for HVAC, doors, ringing phones

Rule #2: Interview in Presence of object

Phrased as if standing in front of work.

High-quality color copies are sufficient

Try in-gallery interviews

Rule #3: no sit ins

Rule #4 record room tone

Audio engineer will want to use it for cuts

Rule #5 use good equipment

Zoom H2 Handy Recorder - $159-179

Rule #6 Mic correctly

Below and to side of mouth

Rule #7 set your levels

Ask "What did you have for breakfast?" Then as they answer, increase until you get distortion, then back off slightly

Rule #8: record room noise!

Audio engineer will want to use it for cuts

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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Sales and Marketing is a marketing strategist and Flagstaff travel writer.

Birdchick Selects Wittig as Guest Blogger

2009-02-24T21:14:00.006-07:00

Birdchick, Sharon Stiteler of Birdchick.com has selected Stacey Wittig of wittigwriter marketing and sales as a guest blogger. Wittig's essay "What is the Difference Between Crows and Ravens" which appears on February 24, 2009 was selected from over 50 entries.

Read more at http://www.birdchick.com/blog.html

Photo of Stellar Jay by Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter Marketing and Sales.
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Presidential Suite up for Grabs?

2009-02-17T14:52:00.006-07:00

Well, Barack may not be able to get one of those presidential suites at The InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa in Phoenix tonight. (See yesterday's blog.)

Although there is "room at the inn," it seems that Obama-rival Senator John McCain has reserved space for a fund-raising event to kick off his campaign for a fifth senate term. It is not known whether the long-planned McCain fundraiser is being held in either of the presidential suites at The InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa.

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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a Flagstaff travel writer and marketing strategist.

Obama Slept Here: The InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa

2009-02-16T18:51:00.008-07:00

That Judy Hedding at Phoenix.about.com! She is a true insider... How the heck did she learn that President Obama is going to stay at the InterContinental Montelucia Resort and Spa in Phoenix tomorrow night?

I wonder if they'll put him in the 3,000 sq ft Camelback 2-bedroom presidential suite with the private event lawn? Or the 3,000 sq ft Andalusian 2-bedroom presidential suite with private pool and spa?

I'm sure he'll love it. I was in heaven with my 465 sq ft guest room --#528. After sleeping on the InterContinental Montelucia's custom-made mattresses, Obama will probably order a "Divine Bed" for the White House.

Learn more at http://phoenix.about.com/b/2009/02/16/barack-and-i-have-the-same-taste-in-resorts.htm
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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a marketing strategist and Flagstaff travel writer.

Myths, Legends and Southwest Stories

2009-01-21T05:54:00.007-07:00

The Greater Phoenix Convention and Visitors Bureau has put together a whirlwind tour of some of Phoenix-area visitors' favorite sites. Last night our opening dinner was hosted by the Talavera Restaurant at the Four Seasons Resort - Scottsdale at North Troon.

Featuring contemporary American cuisine, Talavera offers tequila tasting in their wine cellar. Our dinner started with a salad of seasonal greens mixed with fresh pear, candied onions and pecans. I chose the 14 oz. Bone-In Short Rib first rubbed in a spicy chipotle and then plated in a pool of creamy polenta. "Who needs a knife?" asked Troy Petenbrink, a writer from Washington, DC. The tender meat, garnished with healthful honeycomb from local hives, just fell on my fork and melted in my mouth. "The honeycomb cuts the spiciness of the dish," explained Chef Mendez table-side.

Although the property is only nine years old, a recent face lift saw the addition of a dramatic fire element framed by glass and positioned for both indoor and outdoor diners to enjoy. The restaurant is appropriately decorated in the palate of the blooming desert. The breathtaking night-time views of the city and Pinnacle Peak make for a romantic -- and dramatic -- dining experience.

That's me with Kim Cole, Director of Public Relations for the Four Seasons Resort. Thanks, Kim!
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Stacey Wittig of Wittigwriter is a marketing strategist and Flagstaff travel writer.

Avoid this Internet Marketing Mistake

2009-01-07T17:40:00.004-07:00

Internet marketing expert Peter Geisheker has been involved in Internet marketing since the world-wide-web began. I love reading his newsletter.

From his experience helping clients build successful websites, he's learned what works and what does not work when selling on the Internet. One of the biggest Internet marketing mistakes, Peter says, is

"Letting your webmaster write the text for your website.
This is another huge mistake that companies make. On nearly a daily
basis I get a call from a company that has spent a fortune building
a website and they cannot understand why they are not generating
any sales. My first question is, who wrote the text for your
website? In nearly every case they tell me their webmaster wrote it.

Why is it a mistake to have your webmaster write your website
marketing text? Here is a hint-- webmasters are programmers, NOT
marketing professional who know how to write text that sells. If
you want your website to generate sales, you must hire a person who
is an excellent copywriter and knows how to write words that make
people want to buy! Would you hire your webmaster to write a
display advertisement for you? Of course not! Then why on earth
would you allow them to write the text for your website? By having
your webmaster write the text for your website, you are ensuring
your website will be an awful sales tool. To solve this problem,
hire a marketing professional to write the text for your website."

Peter Geisheker, CEO
The Geisheker Group, Inc.
"Innovative Marketing for Innovative Companies"
http://www.marketing-consulting-company.com
(920) 471-1638

New Year Traditions from Across the Globe

2009-01-01T14:26:00.003-07:00

Ok, so what is it? What is your favorite tradition to bring in the New Year? Our family celebrates with man-sized portions of pork and sauerkraut. Perhaps we eat so much because we fear that the new year may be bringing in shortages. A good excuse anyway.

I recently heard that it is good to eat pork for New Years because pigs are always poking around and facing forward. (You want to meet the New Year head-on... or should I say, snout first.) You definitely don't want to start out the New Year with a lobster dinner, as they are known for scooting backwards. No 'two-steps-forward-and-one-step-back' in 2009!

What is your favorite New Years Eve or New Years Day ritual? Kissing at midnight? (Augh, the sauerkraut breath...) Add a comment now and share it with us!

National Geographic Adventurer

2008-11-18T21:05:00.005-07:00

Hey, check out December's National Geographic Adventurer! I got travel commentary published there, albeit published in the "Letters to the Editor" section. The commentary is about Spain - how did you guess? And El Camino de Santiago.

Will write for food! Pernacles, in fact...

Pilgrims, Art Walkers and Diamond Mines

2008-11-08T13:21:00.004-07:00

Last night I swept around the streets of Flagstaff, AZ with two girlfriends. They in brightly colored southwestern ponchos and Indian blanket shawls. Me in a boring leather motorcycle jacket. Hey, it's Italian leather, bought during travel at a trendy fashion boutique in Perugia, Umbria. And no matter that I just saw in our favorite Silpada Jewelry catalogue a model wearing a similarly cut jacket, I was labeled "boring" by other art walkers. Art walkers? In the Navajo Lands we have "skin walkers" -- sorcerers of sorts, 'shaman' would be the ethnographic-sensitive term. But art walkers, what are those?

On the first Friday of the month, the art galleries and boutiques of historic downtown Flagstaff swing wide their doors offering wine and cheese, and other delectable nibbles to visitors and locals alike. So popular are the 'First Friday Art Walks' that the streets last night were filled with folks ambling, socializing and walking between Flagstaff's eclectic assortment of art galleries: art walkers.

I saw many familiar faces amongst the art walkers and was surprised at how many young people come out for the festivities. Northern Arizona University is just around the proverbial corner from downtown Flagstaff, and when I think back to my own college days, I, too, was always up for free food.

With wool hats and sweaters bundled against the mountain-town chill, walkers parade arm-in-arm up and down Old Route 66, San Francisco Street and over to Heritage Square. And then escape to mingle tightly -- old and young -- into warm galleries. I saw Ray across the crowd in one tightly packed boutique.

"Ray," I shouted. The local musician playing her amplified acoustical guitar among the racks of mod clothing (there's a metaphor hiding there somewhere) made it a little hard to hear. Ray is hard of hearing anyway. His wrinkle-grizzled face looks stately under his Indiana Jones felt hat.

"How was your pilgrimage?" he asked.
"Thanks for your prayers; I needed them," I answered. "It was a tough 180 miles. My Achilles tendons are still bothering me." I ended my pilgrimage in Northern Spain over 30 days ago and my 53-year-old body is still healing."
"I had a friend that visited South Africa many years ago," Ray explained. The quick-minded wisdom of this 80-year old sage always surprises me. "He met with the owner of a diamond mining company. The man took him into his office, opened the safe and pulled out a small bag. He emptied the contents of the bag onto his desk. There was a mere fistful of diamonds laying there. 'To unearth these diamonds, I had to move thousands of tons of rock and mud.'" Ray's eyes met mine with a piercing knowing. "'But it was all worth it,' the diamond owner said."
"Yes," I agree thoughtfully. "My Camino was like that: a huge effort, but worth every nugget."
"Well, you look good," Ray states welcomingly. "I like your jacket."

El Camino de Santiago: Logrono Refugio

2008-10-28T12:18:00.003-07:00

"Did you like that last bit?" asks Ian from London about the long, boring trek through Logrono's industrial section. "Fighting it every step of the way, I'd say," he says greeting another pilgrim coming into the dorm room who just completed the day's hike. This dorm has ¾ walls separating each group of pilgrims into two or three bunk beds to a 7x7 space. We are packed into a tight maze and must walk through each others bed area. But the cool thing is that you can see over the wall and talk with other pilgrims.

The sleeping arrangements in the Spanish refugios make all of us one big family. We sleep together; take our clothes off and on in the same unisex rooms. There are private shower stalls. In some refugios there maybe coed shower rooms with private stalls, which makes it very interesting if the shower stall is so tight that you must hang your towel and clothes outside the mini-stall. But most refugios have separate shower rooms for men and women. Still makes you feel like family when you are trying to hurry your shower as other women wait outside the shower stall. I like to do as much as I can outside the shower booth before I jump in because others are waiting.

This afternoon before today's shower I realized that my backpacker light-weight towel had been taken from the clothesline from the last albergue in Los Arcos. "I distinctly remember hanging my towel on the line in the garden last night with my other things. I went out this morning and took everything down from the line as I was packing, " I said to Ermigard, a pathologist from Germany. "I didn't realize until now that my towel was not hanging on the line."

"Here use my towel," she offered. "It is slightly wet, but it is better than nothing." So I use the damp towel of a woman I met only two days ago, but who now is family.

Meet Author and Innovative Church Leader Craig Groeschel

2008-10-15T21:16:00.007-07:00

Dan was blown away by Craig Groeschel's new book, It: How Churches and Leaders Can Get It and Keep It, and decided to offer a study at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church. We were blessed to meet Craig and his wife, Amy this past Sunday at the Mesa campus of Life Church. Dan's sister Kathy and her husband Rolf serve at the Mesa campus of Life Church.

About the Book

From the Back Cover: "When Craig Groeschel founded LifeChurch.tv, the congregation met in a borrowed two-car garage, with ratty furnishings and faulty audiovisual equipment. But people were drawn there, sensing a powerful, life-changing force Groeschel calls “It.”

"What is It, and how can you and your ministry get—and keep—It? Combining in-your-face honesty with off-the-wall humor, this book tells how any believer can obtain It, get It back, and guard It.

"One of today’s most innovative church leaders, Groeschel provides profile interviews with Mark Driscoll, Perry Noble, Tim Stevens, Mark Batterson, Jud Wilhite, and Dino Rizzo.

"This lively book will challenge churches and their leaders to maintain the spiritual balance that results in experiencing It in their lives."

To see what Life Church is all about go to: http://www.lifechurch.tv/ Dan's class starts on October 23; he has an autographed copy of the book for you. Call him at 928-699-2367 for place and time.

El Camino: Stories from the Ancient Path

2008-10-06T07:31:00.004-07:00

There are many stories from the ancient path as yet untold. So although Burgos is the "fin de" my pilgrimage, please keep coming back to this blog for the telling of those adventures. Hoping to stay in touch with my Camino friends who continue on ahead of me to Santiago de Compostela, I will keep you updated on their journeys.

Thanks to my friends, family and church family at Trinity Heights United Methodist Church in Flagstaff, AZ for your prayer support. Several times I felt especially uplifted by your prayers. Today is Sunday and I miss worshiping the Lord with you. I attended the 9 am Mass at the glorious Cathedral of Burgos. Today's Mass was in Spanish which was easier to follow than the last Mass I attended -- which was disappointingly officiated in Latin. The priest shook hands with parishioners as he left the front of the church. When he got to my pew, he shook my hand and said "Buon Camino." So even though I put on my best pilgrim clothes for church, I still look like a pelegrina (Spanish for pilgrim, feminine form.)

I looked forward to participating in Taize worship services along the Way of St. James, but the only thing close was an impromptu morning service. It was informally conducted by eight German pilgrims in an ancient monastery outside of Estella. The six Norwegian ladies were in the soaring stone sanctuary, too. We all knew a couple of the Taize songs and sang along with the Deutschers, our voices magnified by the perfect acoustics.

If you're not familiar with Taize, I recommend that you Google the religious practice. Its interesting history starts with Catholic brothers hiding Jews during WWII in Taize, France. An internationally blended form of worship, Taize uses the light of candles and the sweet harmonies of the human voice in different languages along with the guitar. It is very popular with the youth (and youthful) of Europe.

Tomorrow I travel to Madrid. The bus service is cheaper, has more frequent departures and gets me to Madrid faster than the train, so I've decided to take the bus. I haven't found a place to stay in Madrid, but I'm headed to one of the main, if not most touristy plazas, Plaza Sol. I should be able to find something there.

I spend one quick night, and then the next day, I take the Metro to the airport for my 11am flight.

El Camino - Atapuerca Friday, October 03, 2008

2008-10-03T10:16:00.004-07:00

"Do you have a husband?" I asked the perky pilgrim who used an umbrella for a hiking stick as we walked.
"Yes, but he has a health problem that would make him uncomfortable to walk El Camino."
"My husband doesn't have the interest to walk El Camino."
"Well, it's not a thing done lightly, is it?" says Anne in a deep but sweet Scottish accent.
"You really must want to do it, to be able to do it."
The El Camino is challenging. Not only the walking and the carting of a heavy load, but also sometimes the monotony of step after step. But that monotony brings you an appreciation of the present moment. Of the little things that surround you. The proverbial "Stop and smell the roses." But it is fall and the roses are all but gone, but left behind are large and brilliant red rose hips springing like berries from human-sized bushes.
"Every once in a while I am hit with a moment of thankfulness. Like when I see the sun shining on that ancient bell tower in the village ahead of us there. You know what I mean, Stacey?" asks Anne. We have been walking since Villafranca, first up a very steep four km stretch. "I would not like to bicycle this," tsck-tscks Jacques.

The small things like not being hungry enough to eat the whole apple, but being able to share it with a fellow pilgrim. Jacques came in behind us to the small bar at San Juan de Ortega. He had stopped to layer up as we strode into the cold, fall wind. "I about froze out there," I said being thankful for the small wood stove smoking in the corner."Probably not good for the health,' said Anne, "But it smells good anyway" about the wood fire. We waved to our Camino friends Juliana and her parents from Maryland, as we wiggled up to the bar to order our café con leche.

I sat down next to a new pilgrim. "Where are you from?" I asked, breaking my El Camino rule of first asking for a name before anything else. I think I was just too tired, or maybe I am softening to my self-imposed Camino etiquette.
"Ottawa," he said.
"We have not met yet," I said sticking out my gloved hand, "I am Stacey from Arizona." "I am Andrew." I sat down and started to cut apart a huge orange with my small Swiss Army knife.
"That is the smallest knife I have ever seen," said Andrew. "They let you carry that on?" he asked meaning the Airport Security officials.
"Oh, no. This was in checked baggage," I said. "I have enough of these little ones taken from me by airport security. I forget I have them in a small backpack, but the X-ray machine always makes me remember." I gave Anne a quarter of the dripping orange and offered another to Andrew.
"No thank you," he passed, "I have already had two bananas this morning." I cut my banana into three pieces and laid one at Jacques' spot at the table.
"I have this map I printed off the Internet. It is not bad, but it is Spanish. It shows three routes from here; do you know which one is best for walking?"
I looked at his map. "I think you should ask Jacque. He did reconnaissance on this route last summer and he knows the way well. He can help you. He is a coronel in the French Army." Jacques came in with a hot chocolate.
"Café con leche is not the only thing that they make here," he stated.
"This is for you," I said pushing his quarter of orange to his banana. "Oh banana!" I have not had a banana in a long time. I used to have a banana tree in my garden in Africa."
"Garden in Africa? Where were you in Africa?" exclaimed the Canadian.
"I was in Zaire, the French Congo area for several years."
"Gabon?"
"Yes, Gabon, too. It was very beautiful there."
"I always wanted to go to Gabon but never got there. I was in Zimbabwe."
"What were you doing there?" I asked hoping for a missionary story.
"Teaching. I was teaching,"
"And what were you teaching?" I asked digging further.
"I was teaching teachers to teach." He paused, "I was teaching those who wanted to teach teach." I found it very interesting how he rephrased it into those who wanted to teach. In Africa it is better to explain exactly, and it sounded like that was what he was doing with me now. Then Anne asked me a question and the conversation about Africa spun on between the men.

Later as we walked, Jacques said, "The bad thing about having a banana tree in your garden is that there are huge snakes that look exactly like banana trees. They are very big, and very dangerous. They strike fast -- like an arrow. They are very poisonous. You are dead in one hour."
"Did you ever see one?"
"Oh, yes but they were very difficult to see because they look exacament like the tree."
"So what did you do? Did you get a big stick? Or did you send one of your servants out to get him?"
"One time there was a very loud noise on the roof. It was a mamba noire - black mamba - four meters long. They are very dangerous, too." He said. Jacque has an interesting way of avoiding the question and continuing his story from wherever it takes him. I think it is the language barrier. I think he can speak English better than he can hear it. But that could be true for his native tonung as well. Being a male creature and all.
"The very educated man, a doctor, from next door started calling, 'Coronel! Coronel! You must get your gun and come kill this snake.'
"I had a cache of weapons in my home, but it was only grenades and a machine gun. If I started shooting a machine gun, it would start all kinds of problems,
So we got many people to surround the house and make a noise to keep the snake where he was. I ran down to get a gun. I told the man, I need a rifle!" He said what for. . There was quite a ruckus.
”I came back with the rifle and climbed up the ladder to the roof. I took careful aim, like this," Jacques mimicked the gun with his hiking stick, "and killed the snake with one shot." Or maybe it was two with the way he mimed the hunting adventure.
"In the meantime the local army had been notified and they came in their riot gear. They saw the dead snake and started firing upon it for 10 minutes straight.
"The whole time my wife was inside taking pictures through the windows."

#####

Last night, trying to fall asleep under the huge Korean, I thought of the first line of my book. 'I slept under the huge Korean tonight.' It always seems like a much better idea when you are half asleep. But as I examined the bulging springs of the bunk overhead it seemed like a good idea. I was actually afraid that the bed was going to come crashing down across my neck. I would be screaming and trying to make one last great effort to heave the bunk and the Korean tonnage from my windpipe. The German men who skoff at me carrying my computer, "Such an American!" would come running to help and be impressed as I benchlift the weight above me. "Strong Woman" would be my final words and as I began to write the newspaper headline, Arizona Pilgrim Finds Peace in Tragic Alburgue Accident, I somehow fall asleep.

El Camino de Santiago pilgrim blessings

2008-09-30T10:44:00.004-07:00

Tomorrow is St. Dominga de Calzada (where I am now the oldest pilgrim refugio dating back to the 11th C.) to Belorado 23 km x .6 = 13.8 miles. There is an interesting story about this place that my Walk to Emmaus friends would like. CENTURIES AGO, a boy walked to Santiago with his pilgrim parents. When they got here, they stayed in a refugio run by a family with a girl. When he rejected her advances, she hid some treasure in his bag and then reported the treasure stolen. Sounds like the story of Joseph in the Old Testament. Does the right thing and then is accused of wrong-doing by the woman scorned...

As the story goes... the boy was hung for the crime he did not commit. Miraculously he did not die at the gallows, but hug there for quite sometime. The parents went to the mayor of St Dominga de Calzada to petition that he be cut down. The mayor who was eating a succulent chicken dinner laughed. ``Only if this roast chicken jumped up off the table and crowed would I release your devilish son!´´ With that the roast galina jumped off the mayor´s dinner plate and crowed - probably three times.

The boy was released, and of course redeemed, and to this day the cathedral keeps two cackling while hens (galinas) in the sancuary. Your El Camino pilgrimage will be blessed if one crows while you are there.

It is quite interesting being in a very large pilgrimage cathedral with soaring ceilings, hearing the hushed voices of tourists and pilgrims looking at the artwork with the soft, soothing sound of classical music in the background - the cultured sounds of an art museum - and then hearing the harsh, back-to-nature sound of a chicken crowing. Almost a conundrum, makes me want to break out in song: ``De Colores son visten los campos en la primavera!´´ But then I did hear the hen crow, so my El Camino de Santiago pilgrimage has its special blessing. Maybe this cold will be slept out by tomorrow morning. Thanks for your prayers.

Blister Care on El Camino de Santiago

2008-09-28T12:31:00.005-07:00

There is a fighting contention going on about the care of my feet here in Spain. Jacque, the coronel from the French Army who led troups in Zaire for 20 years says no `Compede´ which is a fake skin-type bandaide that stays adhered to the foot for days. `No´ because of the blood ... I have bloody blisters. But the ski dude, Michael, from Austria says, ``That´s not right!´´

Now the woman doctor, Dr. Eli, 28-ish from Pamplona looks at my out-stretched foot while I write this, and says Col. Jacque did a good job of the bandage. (French Army bandage gauze with hi-tech tape.) Great controversy on how to treat blisters. Roger from Brazil threads a needle, pierces the blister and leaves the thread in the blister to drain the liquid overnight.

Pilgrim dinner tonight. All is well except this last day´s leg was VERY draining muchas calor (very hot) and dry. I thought I was trekking in Camp Verde, AZ all day. It looks the same - cottonwood trees, pinon trees, yucca plants, buff-colored rock - only no motor noise. Buon Camino!

Pamplona, Spain

2008-09-24T08:11:00.002-07:00

Hola from Pamplona, Espana. No I am not "running with the bulls" in my white Elvis jumpsuit and red bandanna around my neck... that happens in July to celebrate St Fermin's feast day...

A 'lay-over day' in terms of the 1970s backpacking days was a day to relax at the campsite, put your feet up and let the blisters dry out. Today is my 'lay-over day' in Pamplona. However, it has been anything but relaxing. Too many tasks to complete. I scheduled the morning time for answering and responding to my business email. Unfortunately my Pamplona "office" was not as keen as my St Jean Pied du Port café.

I learned from Jane, a fellow pilgrim, that the bus station at Pamplona has WiFi and a place to have coffee, so I booked down to the bus station from the Jesus y Maria Refugio this morning. The station is tres modern: stainless steel and glass, not anything like what we would think of a smelly bus depot in the US. However, it was underground, so no sunlight for the first four hours of my day. (I should mention that the station has a fantastic green roof going in on the street level. The depth of earth material is so extraordinary that they are turning the soil with two agricultural-sized tractors. No sod yet. It promises to be lovely.)

Unfortunately my experience so far in Europe has been that it very difficult to find WiFi. (Internet cafes are common - you can use THEIR computers to access the internet. Because of my MS Outlook business email account, I need to use my own computer; therefore Wi-Fi is an important resource at least once every three days.) And so it seems that whenever I finally find Wi-Fi, there is no outlet to access electricity so I must run on battery power, Of course, my battery power does not last long, and I end up plugging into the Ladies' Room outlet or some such other out of the way spot. And Wi-Fi is impossible to access in an out of the way spot. C'est la vie… patience!

Money from Heaven

Speaking of patience, one of my tasks today was to find a place that would cash an American Express check. It seems a simple task. However, after tries at five different banks so far, I am beginning to understand that Travelers Checks are a thing of the past. Probably because of the advent of ATM machines, what 20 years ago… The travelers' checks that I am carrying are from years ago. Almost seems like 'FREE' money, they are so old. But a $100 AmX Travelers check doesn't go very far against the Euro. At the sixth banque, I got $67.00 and then charged an additional nine Euros for a service fee.

I asked the manager, "Un autre pregunta, por favor." Another question, please. Then I laid out on the bank counter 100,000 pesetas. He picked them up and examined them as if they were foreign currency. Pesetas were the Spanish currency before switching to the Euro. "Not here," he said in Spanish after finally recognizing the old bills. "Go across the street to the left to La Banque de Epana."

Across the street is the Pamplona Post Office, so I stop there first. Another chore for the day is to send back some ropa (clothing) and a small book that I am DONE with carrying in my all too heavy backpack. Did I mention patience earlier in this article? I was at the post office for over an hour… waiting in line. It is the Spanish way. Everything is slower here. I am hoping to learn the pace. They can spot me a mile a way: An American walking so fast down the sidewalk on to her next task! Got the package wrapped and mailed with the help of the nice postal workers.

Then onto el Banque de Epana. Could these old bills really be worth something? I turned left and went to the end of the block. I was SURE this is what he said. But no sign on the huge, squatty building made of ochre colored sandstone. There were two impressive flags flying above the broad doors five steps above the street level, wanted posters picturing good-looking Basque fugitives, and lots of electronic security at the entrance. This must be the place.

I walked up the steps and pressed the black button for admission. The green button lit, a buzzer sounded and the bronze and glass door opened to let me into the vestibule. The door in front of me remained locked until the door behind swung shut. I pressed the next black button, feeling like I was in an episode of Get Smart. The second green light finally lit - good thing I don't have claustrophobia - and I pushed the second heavy portal forward. The room I then entered into reminded me of photos of old time banks I'd seen at my local Flagstaff, AZ Wells Fargo. A big room surrounded with glassed-in teller windows. Of the 12-16 windows, only one was manned - by a woman.

"Eso es el Banque de Espana?" I asked. I couldn't believe it when she said, "Si/Yes." This was a blessing too good to be true! On the same street, and only ½ a block away from the post office. "Pesetas," I said. "Pesetas cela," she said pointing to the corner window where a man suddenly appeared. I had no idea that I could still exchange this old money, I brought it with me just on happen stance that I could. I was totally amazed as he filled out the paperwork after examining the bills. 65.10 Euros or $90!

It is money from heaven. Thank you, God! I probably bought these pesetas in my first trip to Spain in 1996, when I was rich. I didn't realize that I had them when I went back to Barcelona with Dan in 2000. I think we were on Euros by then… The Spanish currency went unremembered on my first El Camino journey to Santiago de Compostela in 2005. The pesetas have been a hidden treasure until now -- when I really needed them. God provides in mysterious ways.

I saw an Italian pilgrim, Francesco, with a familiar design on the back of his T-shirt. I made some excuse to stand behind him to look closer. Sure enough, in small print, it said the artwork was done by a Hopi artist. I was so excited to see Hopi on the back of an Italian in northern Spain!

French cafe - St Jean Pied du Port

2008-09-20T02:04:00.003-07:00

A foamy cappuccino, a buttery croissant and FREE WiFi - what more could you ask for? Today I begin my walk from St Jean Pied du Port, France over the Pyrenees. The French Canadian couple at the refugio (sleeping place for pilgrims)grimaced when they lifted my backpack. They had made a portion of the trek yesterday as a daytrip- without backpacks.

Yesterday was the EuroStar from London to Paris. Here's my writing from yesterday's Parisian experience:

Paris: Le Monde headline today: Septembre noir pour Wall Street

Last Thursday there was a huge fire in the Chunnel - the route my EuroStar train takes from London to Paris. In Paris I took the Metro from Gare Nord "North Station" where I disembarked from the EuroStar and caught a Metro to Montparnasse where I catch my connection to Bayonne, France and then a local train to Ste. Jean Pied du Port, my final rail destination in France. After spending a week with the highly efficient - if not obsessively orderly - Brits, it is quit a culture shock to arrive in Paris with the aggressive, butting in line French. The train that I was on was a combination of the 8:32 am train and the 9:40 am train. Because of a huge chemical fire in the Chunnel, there was limited service. The 8:32 train - my train was cancelled and put on the later train. However, anyone with connecting trains in Paris has to stand in a mile-long cue, to get their French tickets re-issued. I stood and stood and stood. Okay the line wasn't really a mile long, it was 1.6 km long.

My tickets have been re-issued, but I will arrive in SJPP two hours après dinner… hope the door is still open. I would email them from Paris, but no free WiFi in this central station… and where I can find a plug to charge my battery, there is no pay-for WiFi. (I could get it behind this wall at this café petite, but not at this electrical plug site. Tant pis!) I used up my battery on the EuroStar from London - no WiFi, no electric outlet on that voyage.

The train trip to York yesterday had both free WiFi and electric access, but I did not think to bring my computer. Feeling rather poorly about not thinking to bring it, and looking across the isle at Keith tapping away at his work on his computer, Harry from the British Library consoled me. "Keith brings his computer EVERYWHERE."

Champagne Reception at the British Museum

2008-09-16T10:30:00.005-07:00

The International Association of Museum Facility Administrators kicked off their annual conference in London this week with a champagne reception in the King's Library at the British Museum. Munching delightful appetizers served on bottom-lit trays and tapping to jazz music, members renewed acquaintances with FM museum folk from all over the world.

I am here helping facilitate the facilities benchmarking workshop. For more information go to: http://www.facilityissues.com/

Not a drop of rain since we arrived. Londoners are celebrating the Arizona sunshine!

Controled burns in Flagstaff forests today

2008-09-11T13:12:00.005-07:00

Controlled burns in Flagstaff today

After the drenching thunderstorms of the last 48 hours, the Mormon Lake Hotshots were out lighting slash piles this morning. The Mormon Lake Hotshots are an elite group of Coconino National Forest fire fighters based 10 miles east of our Munds Park home. Smokey clouds were billowing out of the Ponderosa Pine forests as Dan drove me to the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport. "If the fires get out of control this morning, they'll be flooded by the monsoons later this afternoon," I said looking up at the tall, swirling white plumes.

From my 3F window seat on the small aircraft that flew me out of the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport, it was a thrill to look down at the tops of those mushroom-shaped clouds of smoke dotting the forest below.

I followed my own advice from a former blog posting - "4 Tips on How to Travel Light" (see below). The US Airways reps at check-in were seemingly amazed at the (un)weight of my bags -- checked all the way to London. I was 25-pounds under the 50-pound per bag limit imposed by the airline. I packed my lightest clothes, went back and took out 20% of everything -- including my Ibuprophen tablets! Yes, I did count them out, and remove 20%. I'm a light-packing maniac!

Happy surprise at check-in: no luggage charge for two bags on international flights! (US Air charges $15/bag on domestic flights.)Checked the super-light backpack (for my El Camino pilgrimage in Spain), and a "carry-on" sized bag for the ballroom gown, business suit, etc for biz in London.

Did you know that now two airlines serve the Flagstaff Pulliam Airport? US Airways from their Phoenix hub and Horizon Air/Alaska Airlines from LAX.
Posted from the US Airways Lounge, Phoenix, AZ.

How to travel from northern Spain to Madrid

2008-09-06T11:22:00.002-07:00

My flight home from Spain leaves Madrid Barajas International Airport (MAD) on 11:00 am October 7. My plan is to walk east to west from St. Jean Pied de Port on the French side of the Pyrenees to Fromista in northern Spain. Why Fromista? I'm excited to experience Fromista's Iglesia (Church) San Martin. I've heard that it is an extraordinary example of Romanesque architecture, and it's famous for the 315 stone-sculpted figures encircling the church's exterior. But once my pilgrimage ends in Fromista, I need to hurry to Madrid for that flight.

On the map, I can see a railroad line going through Fromista - a small town. Unfortunately http://www.renfe.es/ , the official website for Spain's train system tells me there is no ticket available from Fromista to Madrid. Thanks to one of my favorite guides, Rick Steves, I read about a remarkable German website that gives exacting details of train schedules for all over Europe. This page takes you to Spanish trains: http://bahn.hafas.de/bin/query.exe/en. I can see the schedule for this leg of my trip, but unfortunately the site does not allow me to buy tickets online. Maybe that route is seasonal. None of the on-line bus (coach) companies serve the Fromista region. Pre-planning transportation out of this very remote area is becoming a frustrating knot.

Plan B

Burgos, Spain is a university town with many daily trains to Madrid. It is a three-day walk east of Fromista. That means I will have to end my pilgrimage three days earlier than I anticipated. I'm really disappointed in this outcome until I convert the kilometers into miles that I will walk from St. Jean Pied de Port to Burgos. 194.3 miles - I think that is enough! I don't need to hurry my trip to see the 315 stone-sculpted figures at the church in Fromista. But who's counting? I bet I will have seen more than enough Romanesque exteriors by the time I arrive in Burgos. I'll let you know.

4 Smart Tips on How to Travel Light

2008-09-02T08:47:00.007-07:00

Last week I began my initial packing for my trip to London and Spain. The tricky business about this pack job is that after my business trip to London a la ballroom gown and business attire, I will be hoisting my backpack and trekking across Northern Spain. What to do with the high heeled-shoes and strapless accouterments to the formal evening wear?

I checked prices with UPS, DHL, FedEx and a boutique luggage handling company for shipping the biz clothes home. FedEx offers the lowest estimated price, but the actual price will be determined by the weight of my returning bag. Therefore, I need to pack as light as possible. Here are a few tips on How to Pack Light that I've learned over the years:

1.) Make a calendar of the days you'll be gone. Write down the outfit you plan to wear for the morning- for me that's work, and more formal - and then the evening, more casual. Include every item that you'll need. What color shoes? Do you need a belt? Which one? What from the first outfit can you wear two days later? Perhaps the top you wear under your suit can double for a work-out T later on. I plan to first use a piece for business when it is crisp and clean, and then use it a second or third time in a more casual venue. Once you have everything written down, you can start to edit. Do you really need black, brown and navy shoes? Re-plan your wardrobe so you only need one pair of dress shoes, and one pair of comfortable, casual shoes. What from Day 4 can you wear again on Day 6? Mix and match. Get rid of anything that you can't use at least twice. Once you've reworked your list, pack only the clothes on the list. Not one item more!

2.) Try on everything before you pack it. You may need to run it to the dry cleaner. By trying on that backless evening dress, you'll remember the special foundation that you bought to go along with it. How does it fit since the last time wore it? Take your shoes out for a 'dry run'. Will you really be able to comfortably walk around Europe - or wherever - in the shoes you are planning to bring?

3.) Pack everything in the luggage that you plan to take several days before you leave. Feel how heavy your bags are. Do you REALLY want to be schlepping this much weight around the airport, the train station or the quaint bed and breakfast that you picked out on the internet - that has no elevator? Re-open you bag and take out 20% - or more - of what you already packed.
- How do you get rid of 20% of your packed panties? Get rid of 50% by using panty liners. Day 1 use fresh underwear with pantyliner. Day 2 - throw away panty liner.
- Get rid of the extra hair products. Put cosmetics in small containers, don't bother with your pretty, but heavy, designer cosmetic bags. Ziplock bags are light and functional. Repack. NOW will you be able to lift your carry-on bag over your head to put in the overhead compartment without dropping it on the head of the person below? If not, start again from the top.

4.) Tear out the pages that you need from tour books and leave the rest at home. Books are heavy. Duct tape is much lighter to 're-bind' the book into a smaller version. Clear packing tape works well, too.

wittigwriter, LLC

2006-10-04T15:11:00.000-07:00