I have lived in earthquake prone San Francisco or Los Angeles almost all my life. But I am still riveted by images of collapsing highways and marooned boats coming from Chile after the 8.8 earthquake there. Just as the images of Haiti recently held our attention, another part of the world is overwhelmingly affected by a natural disaster.

This is close to home for me..Just last week I blogged briefly about my trip to Chile years ago. And now there are tsunami warnings for other places I have been – Australia, Tahiti, and just a few weeks ago, Hawaii. So I am reminded of what we all don’t like to think about: What would happen if we were caught in a natural disaster abroad – or even in another state, like Hawaii? And then I think -what if I were caught with my children?

There are some things you can do to prepare because disaster can strike at any time.

1) Register your trip abroad with the State Department. In the event of an evacuation, the State Department can assist. www.travel.state.gov

2) Make copies of your passport and itinerary and leave with family members at home, and put another copy in your luggage.

3) Bring the phone number of your doctor and the generic name of any prescriptions you take in case they get lost or damaged, or you are separated from them.. Meds in other countries often go by different names, and you need to know what is safe to take. I was in Australia during one of my pregnancies, and I didn’t know what I could take for the common cold because there was no “Sudafed” or “Benadryl”. Another time I caught a bad head cold in Argentina…and man! Whatever was recommended to me in the the local pharmacy knocked me out. The drug regulations and dosages in other countries are very different also so who knows what I took.

Last December the Wall Street Journal’s Wine Notes compiled some “easy wine resolutions” for 2010. The list was great – but one in particular is the inspiration for this post.

“Take a wine trip” is what the authors said. Most of us on the West Coast think of going to Napa or Sonoma, which are world class. However, a smaller, lesser known wine region  – although definitely growing in popularity – is Paso Robles along California’s Central Coast.

With more than 200 winerires in the area, you will find enough wine to taste. But even though Paso Robles is growing, the choice of hotels is still slim compared to Napa, especially if you are looking in the luxury B &B category.

Hotel Cheval

Recently, I sat down with Robert Gilson, owner of  Hotel Cheval in downtown Paso Robles. I make the distinction of it being downtown because many of the other B&Bs are in the country, which means a longer drive in if you want to eat dinner in town where there are some nice restaurants.

Gilson and his wife has been involved in revitalizing many buildings in Paso Robles. This hotel is their passion, and it really is reflected in the hotel’s charm and warmth.

Only 16 rooms, it is warm and personal..and with outdoor outdoor fireplaces, as well as a horse driven carriage that can take you to and from dinner downtown so you can imbibe all you want – that pretty much fills the charm category. Chester the horse has become quite popular there. The owners are horse lovers, so there is an equestrian themes bar in the hotel also.

Gilson says Paso Robles is comprised of old families mixed with new families…and it is still not a “perfecly polished” town. There is no Starbuck’s and no Coffee Bean.  (Isn’t it funny that the omission of those two chains can say so much?) There is a saloon in town, and at the time I spoke with Gilson, a guy rode into the saloon on a horse. And even though I like to write about places to bring the kids, there are better places than Paso Robles for that.

Gilson says there are advantages to the character of Paso Robles over wine country up north..better value…less snobbery…and less traffic. (Love Napa, but have you traveled on  Highway 29 during a busy weekend?)

Oenophiles: The wineries recommended for tasting visits are Justin, Tablas Creek, and Eberle. The last time I checked, Eberle had free tastings. You don’t see that very often in Napa… www.justinwine.com, www.tablascreek.com, www.eberlewinery.com. Tablas Creek used to offer a special program where guests can pay to participate in the wine making process – check on that if you are interested. Another great source for wine before you go is www.snooth.com.

Other things to do in Paso Robles – golf, and Hearst Castle is nearby.

www.hotelcheval.com. Cheers!