When I was younger, I woke up one morning and asked my mom what the funny looking rows of branches were beyond our backyard fence. She replied, its a vineyard - the man that owns the land grows grapes and turns them into wine and sells his bottles at the store. I grew up along the foothills in a Northern California suburb with a vineyard, rolling hills, and a seasonal Christmas tree farm as my extended backyard.

It never dawned on me how lucky I was to be born and raised in one of the most beautiful states in the country, California.

Some of my best memories growing up were taking family trips to the different beaches along the Pacific Coast Highway or driving down to Disneyland or Sea World in our blue Dodge van. Little did I know that one day, instead of driving a blue van up and down the coast of California, I'd be cruising at 35,000 feet in a Canyon Blue 737. Times have definitely changed as I've learned to appreciate harvest and wine in Napa and am happy to be a Southwest Airlines Marketing Manager of three wonderful gems within California - San Francisco, Napa / Marin County and Lake Tahoe. With my digital camera always at hand, I'm able to bask in the California sunshine and capture memories of my favorite moments. This summer, we're partnering with Joie de Vivre Hotels on an exciting photo contest.

Join me in sharing your best California moments! Upload your photos that reflect "Your California." The more photos you submit, the better your chances of winning hotel stays for a year at Joie de Vivre Hotels with flights on Southwest Airlines' 100 nonstop daily departures within California.

Upload and vote for photos at jdvhotels.com/photocontest from now through August 31, 2008.

No purchase necessary.