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Chasing last week's patriotic cocktail (generically in support of the US Olympics team), this week brings a shot for Barack Obama. It comes from longtime restaurant impressario Jackie Roberts of The Pink Door:

2 oz. Crater Lake Vodka (hand crafted American vodka from Oregon ) WHY? Because he loves America

2 oz. Freshly pressed grape juice WHY? Because he's fresh!

1/2 oz. cointreau WHY? Because he has a sweet side

1/2 oz. freshly pressed lemon juice WHY? Because he HAS to win Florida

Just a whisper of curaçao to make the drink green WHY? Because he is serious about the environment.

Coincidentally, we hope, it's also the second straight use of Blue Curaçao in this (Dubious Drinks) series. Anyway, dubbed the Obama-Rama, the cocktail is served up in a sugared martini glass garnished with a frozen grape and a tiny American flag, decorated with glitter bling by Jackie's own hand.

Will set you back ten bucks, with a dollar of that going to Obama's presidential campaign. Have one on the shaded view deck, or during the nightly cabaret performances. 

If this sounds snarky and needlessly mean-spirited, just blame the Chinese. In any event, the marketing wizards at McCormick & Schmick decreed that there would be cocktails with an Olympics theme, so the "Red White & Blue Martini" came into being.

Fortunately, barman Darrin Bengston knows his specific gravities. Raspberry purée into the bottom, followed by a shaker of Stoli Vanil and Stoli Blueberi. Float an ounce of Blue Curaçao, and voilà! The blue settles midway down the glass. Tastes like an eight-dollar popsicle.

Fortunately, too, McCormick's still has its after-10 PM happy hour menu, tasty plates under $2.

Words and Wine (www.wordsandwine.com) is a company that grew out of the idea of a couple I met two years ago at the San Francisco Writers Conference. The initial plan was for a group of writer friends to get together at our winery, stay at the bed and breakfast and write- a retreat basically.

What started as a writers vacation for them, became, for the three of us, a tour company called Words & Wine, LLC. that brings writers to the wine regions of France for organized writers retreats.

Our last one was from the 9th to the 16 of June in the Beaujolais region. We had a small group this year but it was an amazing success. We stayed at a unique and original bed and breakfast in the village of St Amour called La Paradis de Marie, Marie's Paradis. It was truly a paradis.

Our week began with an unexpected confirmation of the marriage of Cari and Harry. Our first tasting was with the town mayor who is also a wine maker. He explained to us the unique relationship St Amour has with a town in Japan in which Japanese newlyweds either visit St Amour or send their marriage certificate to the town hall to have a special St. Amour certificate made for them. They are then resisted in the town hall.

After hearing this story, M. Spay asked Harry and Cari if they'd like to have their marriage confirmed in St. Amour. After an excited yes, the group of us walked the one block at 8 pm to the town hall which is connected to the primary school. M. Spay opened the door, put on his blue, white and red sash and proceeded to re-pronounce Harry and Cari married. I translated the ceremony and we all signed as witness.

The other remarkable moment of Words and Wine Beaujolais was the visit to Jean Claude Rateau. An organic wine maker and friend of Raphael in the area of Beaune, he makes Burgundy Wine. We arrived at his winery in late afternoon. He explained that he wasn't set up to receive individual buyers as he sells mostly to large buyers, stores and restaurants. He took us into his cave where he had set up a barrel and placed some glasses and bottles on top. The bottles were demi's and unmarked. They made me think of the bottles Raph uses to send samples of wine to the wine university for testing.

He was very poetic in his description of wine and wine making which brought all of us writers a news appreciation for wine. The tasting ended with him slipping into his back cave, and coming out with a dusty, unlabeled bottle of red. He poured but wouldn't let us taste for a few minutes. He charged us with a test; we had to try to guess the year. After explaining the color, a brick red color. The smells, which were less fruity with the age.

He finally let us taste. So smooth, the wine slipped down the throat like silk. There was no spitting this gem. We all ventured a guess on the year. I believe it was Harry who came closest to the date with 1985. It was actually a 1986.

Before leaving Words and Wine, we asked everyone what was their favorite moment. Each person had a different moment but they all took away unexpected memories and a happy week.

The summer solstice celebrations coincide with an event called “Open Yards & Gardens”.  This is a great way to visit all the wonderful and secret gardens that you would never otherwise get to see. Visitors are invited to explore, and to encounter many unusual plants.  

Well, you might remember that in the past I attended several creative workshops located on Sabine Dammer’s idyllic farm and her  Kreativ Werkstatt (also see past blog post). This is where I met the inspiring artists Petra Landolt and Sabine Hoeft-Dammer first.   

For this particular weekend, Sabine and Petra proposed to up-grade my status from student to a producer of liquor & seller for fine creative art pieces and products. Their approach: Andrea, you make the best Elderberry Flower Schnapps. Any interest in making and selling elderberry liquor during our open yard & garden weekend event?  

Of course I was tickled and went about producing my favorite liquor: Collecting elderberry flowers in the afternoon sun; searching for empty bottles; and making liquor.  

As this product was intended for sale to the public I already began to think of how best to market a bottle of home made liquor. The theme for this weekend was set for Herbs & Spices. Of course, creating labels and packaging the bottles requires some creative juice. I really enjoyed this part the most… check out the photos.  

Apart from my little production of Elderberry Flower Liquor, Strawberry Lime Mint Liquor, Strawberry Mint Jam, Elderberry Flower Gelee I so delighted in making my labels that my husband exclaimed: Why not say this? 

Labels for sale! Liquor for free! 

Did I sell many labels? You bet I did!

Did I give away a lot of liquor? You bet I did!   

The following article was written for ReSource Media, producers of KarmaTrekkers TV and other independent television programs, and published on their blog.

Travel Specialist Andrea Nims explains how responsible tourism is not only green but it is also the most rewarding form of travel.

The notion of responsible tourism, or green travel, is increasing among consumers. Cultural immersion by its very nature is the "greenest" way of traveling. And just because it's called 'green' travel doesn't mean you have to go backpacking.

In my eyes, the most fascinating way to travel is by using savvy local hosts who know how to live life to the fullest. They make the most of available resources; they go off the beaten path to create unique experiences; and they take advantage of the best their community offers.

A prime example of green travel is embodied by one of my friends, American chef Nikki Rose, who works with a network of local chefs on the Mediterranean Island of Crete. She has created an interactive educational program, Crete's Culinary Sanctuaries, to promote sustainable organic agriculture and traditional cuisine. Guests can learn how this program works and meet local farmers. A unique cultural vacation like this allows travelers to explore the elusive insiders’ secrets and get closer to the heart of an unfamiliar culture.

We live in a global village where fishmongers may also be day-traders. At the same time, most of us are still proud of our traditions and are willing to share them with intrepid globetrotters. Responsible travel allows visitors to make direct contact with local culture in a meaningful way. It also helps local people earn a fair income from tourism. As a result, they can support local conservation and social projects, to help minimize negative environmental and cultural impact.

As a tourism specialist, I believe that travel organizers and consultants should recognize the responsibility of doing our part to re-invent the tourism industry for the long term benefit of everyone - whether it's tourists or local communities. Together, through our travels, we can be attributed to the preservation of the world's natural wonders and cultural heritages.

Looking at my guests over the years I’ve decided that we all have a little bit of the “Indiana Jones” in us. I even have the hat, and am regularly called “Indiana” by passing Spanish schoolchildren, as well as probably less complementary things once they are outside my reaction distance! I am sure we can all remember Indiana’s first movie “Raider’s of the lost ark” when he ran along broken walkways pursued by all manner of dangers including an enormous granite ball. 2 good things are true about that chase, one, it was exciting to watch and two, it was only fiction.

However, here in Southern Spain we do have an actual walk with a similar level of extreme challenge. It was built in the 1920’s as an access way to the Guadalhorce Reservoir complex and its water supply for the El Chorro hydro-electric power station. The then King of Spain, Alfonso XIII, was invited to walk along it to officially declare the project complete in 1921. The walkway was named after his visit as “Camino Del Rey or The King’s Way”.  It appears to have received very little maintenance since then! Now large sections of the concrete pathway are missing with only the reinforcing steel rods for a foothold above the river gorge far below. The path is set at right angles to the sheer rock walls of the “Desfiladero de los Gaitanes” better known as the El Chorro Gorge.

This incredible natural marvel is about 2.5 miles/4km in length and uo to 1300ft/400m tall. However, it is the narrow width of only 33ft/10m in places, which is perhaps the most spectacular aspect. Before the arrival of the AVE (Spanish high speed train which cruises at 220mph), the main train line from Cordoba to Malaga ran through El Chorro Gorge, and you could catch tantalizing glimpses of the walkway from the comfort of your train seat. The dangerously degraded state of the walkway has resulted in it being closed off with steel doors but people still use it, legally or otherwise, to access some well known climbing areas.

Fortunately one of them used a video camera to and so you can safely enjoy the experience at http://www.brightcove.tv/title.jsp?title=1438490562

If you want to see the real thing, with the view in the photo, from a completely legal and safe viewpoint, then come and see me!

Yours Davy

Before attending a trade show in Lyon recently, I traveled to Paris first. What better way is there then meeting friends for lunch, for tea time and for dinner – and always seeing the famous sights as backdrops wherever you go and sit. It is quite spectacular.

I really had no time to spare when I got off the RER train from CDG airport, arriving at the Gare du Nord. I basically ran down the Blvd. Magenta to meet webmaster & friend & host Josef and Ric who hosts the site for InTouch Travel at the Place de la Republique. Off we went to a restaurant close to Josef’s work. You’d think this buisnes lunch would be serious. Instead it was carefree and light hearted with a Josef who is a little on a shy side but with a tremendous smile and spirit, delightful to be around. Josef promised to do these corrections and updates to the InTouch Travel’website. Yet his world is really the world of photography. So as we sat across a market hall where he had taken photos of fashion shows for Vogue.  He was thrilled about the fact now needing to learn the java script language for his project at Matphoto. Rick who just arrived at that morning from New York was amused by Josef and me comparing our newest toys: IPod and Blackberry and he took many photos to capture our smiles.

Soon enough I found myself in a metro going to see my friend & host Larry who lives with his family across the Ecole Militaire, as back drop here you find the Eiffel Tower. When I walked up to the fourth floor I was greeted by a whisteling tea kettle, a cat and a 17 year old very old doggie, and a beaming Larry. I always enjoy Larry’s company with his quick wit and good humoredness. He has an acute sense for buisness ideas and making quick bucks. I enjoy immensely our brain storming about this or that.  Larry’s 12 year old son Chas and his wife Deboarah had just returned from school. Chas began a conversation, mind you, not in English nor in French but in German. It blew me and his parents away. Here is a 12 year old boy studying German for just  8 months exchanging opinions, and a banter going back and forth…and holding his own. Amazing. To soon I had to leave them.

I hopped into bus number 87 that would take me to one of my favorite neighborhoods in Paris: Place Odeon & St. Germain. Here is where our new host Emmanuelle awaited me in the quiet elegance of the Relais & Chateau Hotel Catherine. Emmanuelle has plenty of stories to tell: She married an American and spent most of her married life abroad: England, Germany, Switzerland and the United States, before returning once more to Paris after her husband passed away a few months ago. Foreign diplomats seek her services to guide and navigate them not only through Paris but also through French life. She also offers her services to language school where students are eager to be taken around Paris. We definitely enjoyed a wonderful and peaceful time together surrounded by such a distinctive elegance and atmosphere before she headed out to check on her son working on some papers at home.

You or your guests can have the same enchanting visit in Paris as I did.  You can become locals by meeting a real person for lunch, tea time or dinner with gorgeous backgrounds! This experience is something you can make happen if you connect with any of our 100 personable hosts featured on the InTouch website.   

Sorry about the sad state of the dollar? Not as unhappy as the owners of tourist haunts around Europe.

So it's come to this: Harry's Bar , between the Grand Canal and the Piazza San Marco, is giving a 20 percent "poor American" discount . Just on the food, mind you; the bellinis (invented here) are still almost $25.

But airfare from Seattle (via Paris) is a relative bargain at $800.

Anyone want to join me?