Passports With Purpose 2012: Win a Dog-Friendly Weekend in Mendocino!

NOTE: This contest ended December 2012. Check back in November 2013 to learn about this year’s charity and this year’s prizes!

When I first learned about the annual travel blogger fundraiser, Passports with Purpose, I was immediately sold. I feel incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to travel the world as we do and I love the idea of using this little blog to do something real for a community in need. Best of all, we get to do it by providing the winner with a great travel-themed prize!

What is Passports with Purpose?

In its fifth year, Passports with Purpose unites travel bloggers around the world in raising funds to benefit a worthy nonprofit organization. Last year, the organization raised over $90,000 for the organization Room to Read, to build two libraries in Zambia. In 2012, the beneficiary is Water.org and the goal is to raise $100,000 and build five community wells to provide clean drinking water in Haiti. Access to clean drinking water is important to me.

As part of the fundraiser, each participating blogger procures a prize to away to travel-loving participants.  Readers (i.e., you!) donate $10 on the PwP website and list which prize you would like to win. You get one entry per $10 donation. If there’s something you really want to win, you can make more than one donation to increase your odds of winning it! Or you can donate toward multiple prizes.

All of the prizes are then are then raffled off to participants after the contest closes on December 11. Winners will be announced on December 18.

So what are we giving away?

We wanted to give something away that we would be really excited to win ourselves. In this case, it’s something that Kevin and I, AND POSEY, are all excited about…

A Dog-Friendly Weekend in Mendocino County!

We LOVE Mendocino County in Northern California! The rugged, rocky coastline, with deep blue water, the lush green forests, and the mist that blankets the hills. It’s paradise, and just a short drive from the Bay Area.

Posey enjoying a romp on the beach

It’s also an awesome place to take your dog! We were there a few months ago with Posey and she had the time of her life, running leash-free on green and wild coastal cliffs and barking at seals from the beach.

The good folks at The Andiron, Seaside Inn and Cabins very generously donated a 2 night stay in one of their king cabins! The best part, is that the cabins are pet-friendly and you can bring your canine best friend along for the ride! (Obviously, you don’t need to have a dog to win this prize but if you do, you can bring him or her or even your pet cat for no extra charge). The prize is valued at over $400.

The Andiron is located in Little River, 3 miles south of the town of Mendocino, CA on Highway 1. We haven’t had the chance to get up to visit yet, but it looks amazing and comes well-rated by their customers.

The owners, Scott and Madeline, love all things vintage, and their cabins reflect it! They incorporate vintage, salvaged, recycled, and rehabbed decor: unusual furniture; old toys and games (like vintage Viewmasters); unique lamps; and mid-century fabrics. Every cabin is unique and has a lot of personality!

The “Curious” cabin is perfect for astronomy buffs, like Kevin!

Any of the king cabins are eligible: “Nature”, “Here”, “Read”, and/or “Curious”. Each of the cabins includes a king bed, kitchenette, wood-burning fireplace, deck, BBQ, free wi-fi, weekend happy hours, and access to a hot tub in the woods!

Guests with pets receive one pet “kit” per pet (bowl, treat, a sheet to cover the bed if sleeping together, and towel to clean off muddy feet).

The fine print: You can bring up to two dogs with you at no charge (the normal dog fee is $20 per night per pet). Dogs cannot be left alone in the cabins. The offer is valid for any day of the week, but not valid for stays over US holidays.

*** HOW TO WIN ***

1. Go to the Passports with Purpose DONATE Page.
2. Search for “Win a Dog-Friendly Weekend on the Mendocino Coast!” (mid-way down the page).
3. Type in the number of entries you want ($10 each).
4. Enter your email address and click DONATE!

Some photos of former canine guests:

Pup and owner enjoying the deck of one of the cottages

Resting after a long day (shown in the “There” cabin)

If you’ve never gone away on a road trip with your dog, here are some dog travel tips that will make it fun and easy for both you and your pooch.

Later this week we’ll be sharing some dog-friendly things to do in Mendocino to help you plan your trip!

All photos of the inn courtesy of The Andiron Seaside Inn. Special thanks to PwP 2012 Contest Sponsors: 

Expedia, TripIt, TBEX, HomeAway, TravellersPoint, HostelBookers, and Go with Oh.