Hound Dog Traveler: Along the Oregon Trail

I'm getting very organized. Here I am ready to leave the motel.

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I've been told I'm slacking off in my travel writing. So I will try to get everyone caught up on my trip from Santa Fe to Vancouver, WA.

After a pretty mellow day cruising around northern California, going to dog parks and buying olive oil, it was decided that we could make it from Redding, California to Portland, Oregon where yet another La Quinta Inn awaited us.

I knew this part of the trip would be good scenery - wise. The day before I had a glimpse of the mountains and was really excited about actually getting to those mountains. Gone was the dry and dusty land and now I found grass wherever we stopped.

As we approached the first mountain, I encountered fog for the very first time. It was like riding through a cloud. On this part of the trip I stayed alert and sat up. It was foggy and then it rained and I was not at all sure she could make it through the slick winding roads without my help. And the trucks were still there and they added to the problem, kicking up water wherever they went. While it was raining we didn't stop and, since my new raincoat was packed, I didn't want to stop either.

But I have to admit that Lake Shasta and the rivers were pretty. I'd love to dip my paws in them on a hot sunny day.

Soon, we broke out of the rain and it was sunny! We stopped at the rest stop in Weed, California and I got to sniff around. I noticed there were daffodils growing. It was spring in northern California. It must be close to Easter. Last Easter I wore bunny ears for my Easter picture. (But I digress).

So the weather was a lot better as we headed into Oregon. I was so excited. I was told this was "the promised land... the Eden at the end of the trail." Or so the pioneers said.

There was green grass everywhere.

As we drove, we went over more mountains. That is when I was ready to throttle my owner. She wouldn't stop singing... "The dog went over the mountain, the dog went over the mountain, the dog went over the mountain... to see what she could see." And at the end of this tedious song, the dog only saw the other side of the mountain. Grrrr.

We made a few more stops and at each rest stop we were near a river. Rivers have water in Oregon, unlike many rivers in New Mexico. I walked around at the rest stops trying to avoid the damp grass. It was always damp.

Here I am sniffing around in the wet grass.

We stopped for gas at a Fred Meyer store. That was really cool. In Oregon people can't pump their own gas so they have an attendant. And THIS attendant gave me a dog biscuit! Lucky day!

We pushed on into the green valley and we saw daffodils everywhere... growing wild! But she didn't let me out to sniff them. We kept driving. Soon we were entering Portland and turned off at the Airport Exit. Oh no! Was I now going to be subjected to a plane flight after all this driving?

But no, our La Quinta Inn was right there. We were both tired. It was more like a hotel than a motel. And, since our first floor room was actually a floor above the lobby, the desk clerk helped us by carrying in my bed and bag and I got my first elevator ride. An elevator is a little room. You go in, the door closes and it feels really weird, kind of like you are off balance. And then when the door opens again, you are on another floor. I was very brave for my first elevator ride. A lady in the elevator said so.

I trotted down to room 116 and we went in. Boy was it tiny. I had to have my dog bed over by the air conditioner. I was feeling claustrophobic so we went for a walk. It was a horrible neighborhood. It was a place where there were offices and lots of trucks... all parked. We went a couple of blocks and found a vacant lot. I sniffed around and ate a few blades of grass but I really didn't like it. That evening I asked to go out about four times and only once "did my thing." I was missing having my own yard. I slept well, but heard airplanes overhead all night. When I'm outside I like to look up at the airplanes and helicopters and wonder how many are carrying dogs and cats.

The next day was to be my first day checking out my new town.... one full of trees, few trucks and close to a huge river. But best of all, I was told, there would be no more long distance driving. Yay!

Hound Dog Traveler: Good Times in California

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I have to admit that I've been a little depressed since being kidnapped from my normal life in Santa Fe, New Mexico and forced to live a life on the road.

But today was a good day. We stayed at a La Quinta in Stockton, California and slept in a little this morning. We then found that there was a dog park, Barkleyville Dog Park, a few minutes from the motel. As we drove up to Barkleyville, I let out a yip (yes, hounds can yip). I couldn't believe my eyes. The fenced park had landscaping, sculptures and some huge trees. It was divided into a tiny dog section, a normal dog section and... get this, an agility course.

No one else was around so we went into the normal dog section. I sniffed it out and then decided I wanted to play. There were some tennis balls left at the park so she threw them for me. I chased balls from one end of the park to the other. I even jumped and caught a few mid-air. It was a cool morning and I was having a great time... running, playing and being out of the car!

My only complaint about the park was that they didn't have still water. They had a doggie water fountain and running water reminds me of baths and being squirted by the hose so I stayed away. What a great outing.

Soon we packed up and headed north. The farmland in northern California is much greener and healthier looking than what we passed through yesterday. The produce growing there needed a good washing, in my opinion.

I laid down and dozed off a bit but we stopped at a couple of rest stops so I could sniff around. (That's what I do at rest stops.) After that I was a bit more alert and watched the trucks. The best truck was a flatbed hauling bee hives, stacked four high. Now that is not so interesting in itself, but this truck had the bees too! On each side of the truck it had yellow signs with black lettering.... BEES. The hives were covered with black netting. And inside you could see the bees crawling around. I'll bet they were really mad about THEIR trip. I rolled up my window just in case there might be a few loose angry bees.

I was having such a great day that I didn't even complain when we got off the freeway at Corning, the Olive City. We saw a sign guiding us to the many olive shops in the area. She selected Lucero's and we drove in to see a large tasting room and olive press and processing room. I had to stay in the car, but she came back with some gifts for friends and a large bottle of olive oil for our kitchen. And, as is usual, there was nothing for me!

Soon we were seeing mountains and had reached Redding, California where we pulled into our 4th La Quinta Inn. We got a first floor room again and unpacked a bit. Since there was a dog park in town, we got back in the car and headed over there. It was a fun dog park with lots of dogs playing together but I was tired and just walked around the perimeter sniffing things. I liked the Stockton dog park best. In fact, I wouldn't mind living near there. (I wondered if having such a state of the art dog park was the reason the city was going bankrupt).

It was a shorter trip today and I had a fun time. I liked looking at the green crops, orchards in blossom and the real rivers (most rivers are dry in New Mexico).  Maybe I can become a good traveler. I'm trying, anyway.

I'm going to take a break now and rest on my bed. I am looking forward to seeing the mountains tomorrow. I'm starting to get excited about my new home.

Hound Dog Traveler: Tehachapi to Stockton, California

Here I am in the In and Out Burger Drive Through

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose
This is now day number three on the road. It is becoming tougher and tougher to remain interested in this moving process.

Last night we stayed in a very mediocre La Quinta Inn behind a gas station and across from an interesting field. I slept well as the motel was quiet but I suspect that was because they didn't have too many paying customers.

In the morning, we went for another walk in the field across the road. And then, much to my surprise, we went looking for the community dog park. Boy, was I excited! We turned into the park and saw some ball fields but were not sure where the fenced dog park was. We gave up looking and decided to follow a trail. It was a great trail for two reasons. One, I saw a Jackrabbit hopping across the trail and into the brush. And second, the trail actually led to the dog park. We went through the gate and I was off my leash. I loved that but where were the dogs? I spent my time in the dog park alone... eating grass and sniffing around. Why don't the dogs in Tehachapi, California come to the dog park? I am missing my friends from the dog park in Santa Fe. Snif..... snif.

And then it was back on the road. As we went through the mountain pass I saw some of the beauty of California... green rolling hills. But all too soon we were down into the valley... the Central Valley of California, where all that food is grown. It was kind of overcast, or was it smoggy. The roads were in poor condition so I laid down and snoozed. Yes, some of the orchards were in bloom but I was feeling down. The ride was not too different from yesterday and it was just too much for this hound dog to remain positive about.

About mid-day, I had had enough of the trucks (no mas camiones... no mas!), and the bumpy roads. But we decided to stop and try an In and Out Burger. I got a few tastes and that bouyed my spirits a bit. By afternoon, it was back to the same.. trucks, traffic and poor roads. I don't want to live in California!

There was a place where you could stop and go wine tasting and nut tasting. Pistachios were their specialty. But we didn't stop. Grrrr. We did stop at a couple of Rest Stops but I wasn't sure what I should do there. We walked around, but that's about it.

Here I am in the motel on my own bed with my fav toy.

I was getting pretty depressed when we pulled into the next La Quinta. We were in Stockton, California (the town that is going bankrupt) and the area where the motel was turned out to be rather nice. There was a rose garden, grass and pine cones. We got a room on the first floor with no hallway. Best of all, she brought in one of my "long lost" toys for me to play with. That helped my spirits. After writing this, I'm going to lay on my bed and play with my squeaky toy. Life is only OK. I will be glad when this is over. If I could, I'd go back home to Santa Fe. Enough of this "adventure!"

Later,
Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler: Flagstaff to Tehachapi leads to a strike!

I was at a rest stop admiring the Ocotillo. I decided I didn't want to live here.

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Yesterday I was "the watcher" and I worked hard. I thought, since I loved the pine woods, that Flagstaff was to be our new home. I found the Flagstaff La Quinta really plush. They had windows where I could look out and see the parking lot and the arriving dogs. Then in the morning they provided a continental breakfast in a spacious lobby. At dawn we went hiking in the pine woods near the motel. I think I would like to stay in Flagstaff.

But oh no! She checked out and we were off down the highway again. I started out in my "Watcher" role and saw some cows and a huge crow. As we left the beautiful pines, I was sad. I put my head down and dozed. Soon we were pulling off to Williams, AZ. I perked up a bit. I saw a sign, Bearizona. I thought I might like to go visit the bears. There was also a deer farm in the area. But we didn't get to go there either. I won't even mention the Grand Canyon. I was getting depressed at that point.

Here I am nosing around the engine at the Grand Canyon Railway.

But then she pulled off onto old Route 66 through Williams. I had fun looking at the old buildings and sniffing around the old locomotive at the Grand Canyon Railway. After gassing up with over-priced gas, we were off again.

Soon, the beautiful mountain forests gave way to flat desert and then to sandy desert. The only saving grace there was that it had rained recently and the ocotillo were leafed out and the wildflowers lined the road. I liked those butter colored little flowers.

We drove and drove. Finally we were in California and stopped for lunch. It was hot out. I needed the a/c on and drank more water. At a Dairy Queen I sat up with my front paws at the ordering window. I thought, perhaps, I would like an ice cream cone. But a treat like that wasn't in the cards.

We headed out toward Barstow and I went on strike. I quit being the "Watcher," and just curled up on my seat. Being a "Watcher" was really boring since there was nothing but dry desert and trucks to watch. I was bored and I went on strike. I just dozed. As I dozed, I dreampt that this was my life... on the road all day, every day and no home to return to. We were homeless!

Once through Barstow we stopped for gas and I went walking in the sand. Boring!

I perked up when I saw those wind turbines on the hillsides near Tehachapi. Now that was interesting. Soon, we headed off the freeway to our home for the night... the La Quinta at Tehachapi. Now more experienced, she asked for a first floor room. Our room was smaller and more worn than the home last night in Flagstaff. I don't think I want to live in Tehachapi.

We unpacked and I had my dog food (I won't dignify it by calling it dinner) and then we went walking in the field across the road. I liked hearing the birds in the reclaimed water reservoir there. Then it was back to the room and to bed. I was tired again. When will this lifestyle end?

Hound Dog Traveler: Santa Fe to Flagstaff

Here I am riding shotgun and being the best "Watcher" I can be.

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Day #1 Yesterday... Santa Fe to Flagstaff. All in one day! Can you believe it? I was so exhausted. It was such hard work.

Yes, I got to ride shotgun. But that also meant that there was no real comfort involved. I missed my spacious car but she packed everything into that space and all that was left was the front seat. So I had to work! I decided, since it was very windy on the trip, that I would force myself to stay awake and help her drive. I watched all the trucks. I decided that if one swerved into our lane, I would bay my houndiest bay. And, even though I often looked like I was drifting off to sleep, I made myself stay awake to help her drive safely.

She gave me the official job of "Watcher." You know, I watch when it says "Watch for Falling Rocks." I watch when it says "Watch for Deer." And, I watch.

So how was the trip? Well, once we were out of Albuquerque, the ugliest desert city I have experienced, I thought I would enjoy the open spaces. But soon I was bored. It was pretty dry and deserty out there. There weren't any animals to "watch."

It was fun stopping for gas at the Route 66 Casino. Not that I got to gamble, but I got to get out of the car and use their "pet comfort area." It was a small fenced enclosure where we dogs could, well.. you know. I did my business (off leash) and came to the gate immediately. This was kind of like using a porta-potty. Then we got gas and I waited a bit for her to do her thing, inside. I decided to curl up on the seat and sleep but she was back all too soon! It was back to work for me. "Watch" on!

I thought we might go sight-seeing. As we drove past Grants, I saw a billboard advertising "See the Wolves." I thought I might like to visit them. But we didn't stop. :(

Here I am at the Continental Divide in New Mexico

We kept driving I-40 and it got windier and windier. I couldn't sleep because I had to watch the trucks, car carriers and boats that were cruising down I-40. I was really glad when we got to the Continental Divide and I could take a break, smell around a bit and have my picture taken. Then it was off to Gallup.

The Turquoise Room truck graphics made me really hungry. I wanted to stay at La Posada.

I was relieved when we got off I-40 and drove down Route 66. We passed El Rancho, Richardson's and many more interesting places.  Then we pulled into a place that sold Native American jewelry wholesale. I had to stay in the car while she shopped for Santa Fe Rose. So I curled up into a nice "coonie ball" and had a snooze. When she came back (finally) I hoped that she had bought a new turquoise necklace for me ... but I was wrong. Nothing, Nada!

We stopped at Winslow where she does volunteer work with the Adopt a Native Elder Program. I got to get out and walk around at La Posada, the former Fred Harvey hotel. I love that place. They allow pets and have lots of grass and a view of the trains that pass by. When I saw the Turquoise Room truck with some great food emblazoned on its side, I really wanted to stay. But we had to leave.

We were then off to Flagstaff and the winds subsided. I was excited when I started seeing pine trees. Soon we headed off the freeway into Flagstaff to the La Quinta Inn. This was my first night in a hotel. We were assigned a really nice room on the second floor. I helped her make four trips from the car up to the room. I helped by showing her the way up the stairs. I learned it the first time around. Then we walked in the pine needles before dinner in the room. I hit the sack early and snoozed until dawn. I was so glad she brought my bed... so glad!

Later, Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler - Are we there yet?

Well, as promised, she picked me up and I got to ride in the front seat! Little did I realize what I was in for. I would never have signed up for this adventure had I known how long it would be! In fact, I am on my bed at the La Quinta Inn in Flagstaff, AZ nodding off. I'm bushed. I've got pictures to share and a long story to tell. But for now... Buenas Noches.

Later, Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler: Welcome from La Quinta

By Guest Writer Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

Well, I'm almost exhausted and it's only been one day at The Canine Social Club. It may be that I am getting too old to play with these young pups or it may be that I now know, for sure, that we are moving.

You see, I got an e-mail on my cell phone this morning. (Yes, I have a cell phone for emergencies - like when my owner isn't home at 4pm sharp to feed me). There was a bright yellow and orange e-mail from La Quinta Inns welcoming ME to their Flagstaff, AZ inn. It was a great e-mail giving me directions and everything. Flagstaff, eh?

Maybe we'll go play in the snow there or go shopping at Babbit's Backcountry for some hiking gear.

We're testing out La Quinta Inns because I hear they accept dogs like me and don't even charge my owner. I also heard they accept cats. Grrrr.

I do know that she's picking me up bright and early tomorrow morning. It should be a nice trip to Flagstaff. Boy, I hope I get to sit in the front seat!

Later,
Cinnamon

Hound Dog Traveler: A turn of events

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

I thought we were leaving but maybe I am wrong. I am now headed for the Canine Social Club which is the place I go when she is out of town.

Maybe this is just another press trip of hers. Maybe she'll pick me up and we'll go back home and resume our normal lives. 

She packed my food, instructions and a check and dropped me off at this huge place I call, secretly, "The Doggie Play House." I exhaust myself playing with the other social dogs, stay up all night and try to eat the other dogs' food. It's a really fun place. But I am always happy to go home to my own bed and sleep off the "partying" for about two days.  And, she pays the people for this! Heck, they should pay ME for playing with all those dogs who are boarded there!

Entrance to the Canine Social Club in Santa Fe, NM

So now my mind is off moving. Lord knows what she's doing, but I'm having the time of my life being a hound!

Hound Dog Traveler: Leaving for the land of fleas and ticks

Guest Writer: Cinnamon

By Guest Writer: Cinnamon (Canela) Rose

She doesn't think I know. We're leaving. I grew up in New Mexico and am used to running through the dusty desert, having fun on The Plaza in Santa Fe and, in the summer, wading in Tesuque Creek to cool off.  I'm a bi-lingual perro. So why would we leave? Porque? And where are we headed? Donde? I know we're leaving. She's packing my toys and food.

I'm sticking close to her these days just in case. She adopted me from the Santa Fe Animal Shelter just over a year ago. I want to make sure I'm on board when she leaves and not left behind.

She has a special plastic bin for my treats and medications. She doesn't think I noticed it when she dripped that stinky flea and tick medication on the skin on my back. We must be headed for a land full of insects. I don't like the idea of getting bitten by insects. We are flea and tick free here in the mountains of New Mexico.

And today, I suffered through yet another bath. Doesn't this new place have tubs? Is this my last bath before I head for the land of fleas and ticks?

I'm feeling a bit sad these days. I'll miss my friends from the dog park and my bestest dog and people friends from the neighborhood. I won't miss that yappy little dog across the street and I won't miss those stinky cats that roam the neighborhood at night like they own it.

It's been a good life here. How could it be any better?

I'll be writing more when I know more.

Later, Cinnamon

How to Work with an Internet Travel Writer: Promote your resorts, events and destinations

One of the quickest ways to get your name out there is to connect with an Internet travel writer. Some of them are bloggers and some write articles for established Internet magazines and newspapers. Here are some tips from an experienced Internet travel writer that will help you get the most for your marketing or PR budget:

Vet Your Writer

You'll want to know if your writer is authentic and will produce. And, if you have access to data on page views, you'll want to know how many unique visitors the writer has to their site per month.

No matter if the writer has a small personal blog or writes for a large Internet travel site, you can't go wrong having your name and information out there on the Internet. And, having information out there in as many places as possible is nothing but good for business.

The best way to vet a writer is to Google their name. See what comes up. If they are an active writer, a great deal should show up. Look at sites like LinkedIn and read about their background and interests.

Ask your colleagues. Quite often writers will have a reputation across the industry.

Check out what they have written about properties or destinations similar to yours. If you like their style, there is a good chance they will do something similar for you.

Find out if they are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter and if they post regularly about their travels. How many followers do they have?

Do they belong to any professional travel writing organizations? These organizations have screening processes for members.

Consider what experiences will be provided to a visiting
travel writer. This woodsy resort provided a pancake breakfast
cooked over an open fire.

Talk to the Writer

Ask them what to expect. Of course you will be offering them a complimentary stay, trip or tours. But what then? And what is their timeline?

Some Internet travel writers write for multiple sites. Can they present your property and destination in several ways so that more than one article will be published?

Time is of the essence. A writer who can produce an Internet article as soon as they return home is not unusual. It is only the print journalists who may make you wait a year before seeing an article (if, the editor does not pull it!).

Make sure that you have communicated to the writer, what is being provided and what is not. Having this in writing helps avoid misunderstandings. Quite often a destination will provide transportation, accommodations and meals.

It is not unusual to state that alcohol purchases and souvenirs are up to the writer to cover. And, any services requested outside of the agreement, such as spa services and a room-service snack can be billed to the writer.

Working with the Writer - The Itinerary

Make sure your writer is a good match for your property or destination. If you've invited a writer who covers family vacations, make sure you highlight family activities when you build their itinerary.

Build down time into the itinerary. Let the writer enjoy your destination or property as if they are a guest. If your resort is a place to relax, you wouldn't want your writer returning home harried and exhausted. If you have a spa, make sure the writer is offered a complimentary spa treatment.

Let the writer review the itinerary before it is finalized. They may have some great ideas or see some duplication in the experiences you have planned.

Travel writers in Canyon de Chelly

When the writer arrives, meet them and present them with a press packet which will include the itinerary, contact information for key persons, fact sheets, press releases and photographs on a thumb drive.

Be available during the writer's stay for questions and requests. It is wonderful to meet them for a quick orientation, but no doubt requests, such as photo opportunities, will present themselves later.

At the end of the stay, be sure and check in with the writer to see if there are additional questions and, especially, if there are concerns.

Social Media

Many Internet travel writers tweet their experiences as they go. This gives your destination or property extra exposure. They may also post photographs on Facebook and Instagram during their experience with you.

It is customary that once the article is written it is "socialized." An Internet writer should publicize their article via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or Pinterest.  So that you know what they are doing with social media, ask for their "handles" and follow them.  If you like what they say on twitter, for example, re-tweet them to your followers.

Press Trip or Individual Travel

I, for one, am a great fan of press trips. I love communing with other journalists as I am shown a destination. I enjoy having transportation provided and enjoy group meals. However, some writers do not like press trips. They want to explore your destination or property on their own.

Press trips are considerable work for a CVB or resort. On the other hand, offering a room and meals to a travel writer and their spouse, is fairly easy.

Travel writers on a guest ranch press trip.

Follow Up

Once the travel writer has left, be sure and follow up to see if they need additional information or photos. Respond to their requests quickly. Internet travel writers write quickly and are interested in getting information about their trip on the Internet as soon as possible.  Be sure and ask the writer to send you links when their articles or blog entries are written. You deserve that!

Tips and Trivia

Glossy Print Articles: Those in marketing and public relations often make the mistake of requiring that a travel writer be a print journalist. Yes, the article will appear in a glossy high-end magazine perhaps, but how long will that magazine be out there?  It may be tossed the month after it is published. Ideally the magazine also has an Internet site, where the article about your property or destination will appear. But that cannot be taken for granted.

To Swag or not to Swag: Should you provide gifts to travel writers?  Something representing your location or event is always appreciated. These don't have to be expensive. I have received note cubes with the destination logo, a cap after a helicopter flight (still my favorite cap), nuts from a nut farm I toured and so on. Often writers do not have the money or the time to purchase souvenirs and so these little things are appreciated.

What to do about the Writer who Cannot Accept Comped Trips: There are some publications that do not allow comped trips. For these writers, you can offer a reasonable media rate.

Why You Should Offer Air Fare: If you look at how many places a travel writer goes in a year, you'll begin to understand that they could not afford that amount of travel unless they are independently wealthy. Many travel writers are young 20-somethings and, on the other end of the spectrum, retirees who enjoy sharing their knowledge of the world. I have never met an independently wealthy travel writer.  And my wealthy friends don't want to spend the time that it takes to put together a good travel article. So yes, offer to provide air fare.

What to do if you are not in the Article:  Unless your travel writer has a horrific experience, you can expect to have your destination or property included in the article. However, if you provide the travel writer with a broad range of experiences during their visit, it is typical that not EVERYTHING is covered or mentioned in the article. That is to be expected.

Work with Internet Travel Writers and Benefit

Working with an Internet travel writer can bring you exposure that, in comparison to purchasing advertising, costs very little. If the invited writer is prepared for the trip and adequately supported during their visit, you can expect some great Internet coverage.

Note: The author of this article, Elizabeth Rose, travels throughout the West and beyond reviewing destinations, services, accommodations, events and restaurants. As an expert in cultural tourism, her writing reflects that passion.  She also provides content and editing for established travel websites. Website

Content copyright: Elizabeth R. Rose

For reviews and media trips, Liz can be contacted via e-mail, southwestliz@yahoo.com