I’ve been busy working on the online travel auction for SATW.  It’s open to the public, so here’s your chance to bid on fabulous travel packages:

TRAVEL THE WORLD WITH THE CLICK OF A MOUSE during SATW’s online Auction, “the eBay for those who love to travel.”  log on to: www.satwauction.com 

All this and more is available just in time for your holiday shopping. The SATW auction will be online from October 20 through November 20, 2008. You’ll find all sorts of lots from five star hotels and beautiful resorts to superb golf and ski getaways and even some gift baskets. You’ll see that starting prices are often amazingly reasonable so anyone can have a chance to bid. Values of the donated items range from $50 to $5,422!    

How does the auction work?  Similar to Ebay and other online auctions. Browsers and bidders will log on to http://www.satwauction.com with a specially created ID and password and bid as often as they please.  The auction will be updated in real time, and will be held from October 20 to November 20, 2008.  Bidding closes at midnight EDT on November 20.    

 ** REMINDER: The auction is open to everyone, so tell your friends and families to mark Oct. 20 – Nov. 20 on their calendars for the SATW Online Auction, and log on to www.satwauction.com.  Ready to check out the items up for bidding? Go to www.satwauction.com Take a look at a sample of these auction items: 

Time to travel, kids! Diana

Howdy!  I brought my cowboy boots along for this trip.  I’ve been traveling the past week or so. 

Last week I began my journey in Austin. I blogged about that visit at www.travelinginheels.blogspot.com – check it out.

I hung out at the famous historic Driskill Hotel, at the same time of the Austin Film Festival. Previewed the movie “W” — interesting flick, definitely an Oliver Stone delivery with exceptional actors but not a blockbuster, in my opinion.

Friday I headed back to Houston for the SATW convention where the city rolled out the welcome mat and we’ve been wined, margarita-ed, dined and explored the city. 

Here’s a few highlights:

• Lots of Professional Development sessions!
• Opening reception and fashion show at The Houston Galleria
• Reception hosted by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo including a photo opp atop a live steer!
• Late night at House of Blues, grand opening was Saturday, kicked off by motorcycle run with 1,000 bikers including a quasi Blues Brothers reunion, Dan Akroyd and James Belushi.
• Season and place with Chef Monica Pope, Midtown Farmers Market
• A fabulously hosted dinner at three generation, family-owned Molina’s Cantina, including a “lesson” on history of Tex Mex and tequila tasting, complete with special guest
• Golf Tourney at Houston Memorial Park Golf, an okay municipal course. I won the prize for women’s longest drive (180-ish yards) on 14th fairway
• Houston’s Own Brew - Saint Arnold Brewing Company
• Closing banquet at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

If you’re exhausted reading this, just think how I feel doing all this?  Great trip, but ready to go back to Denver!

Don’t forget your cowboy boots!  Diana

Wrote a blog about my site visit to Hotel Magnolia Denver on Monday.  LOVED it — especially enjoyed people-watching at the local hangout,  Harry’s Bar, part of the hotel! The just completed renovation rocks — funky, swanky, 70’s, with a touch of Old World.

Take a look at my other blog’s longer review of Hotel Magnolia Denver:  Traveling In Heels — and enjoy.

Toured the new Riu property today.  Tommorrow I move from the “classic” Riu to the new “palace” design, Riu Palace Pacifico.  I am twittering about my trip, so check my twitter out at: www.twitter.com/dianarowe

 I’ll blog as I have time, but hey the ocean keeps calling.

Diana