Artwork in the Garden at Rowe by Ann Marquette
Ok, I know, I am nine days late getting this out. No valid excuse. But, here I am finally posting more of my trip…in case anyone is still interested, and if nothing else, I write this for myself.
Day 2
After selecting my breakfast choices from the hotel’s continental breakfast bar I ate in my room while watching some of the Today Show. Then it was time to pack up, make my travel cup of Starbucks Italian Roast extra bold instant coffee for the road.
Destination this day was a hotel in Bear, Delaware for the overnight rest. It was a long drive including through D.C., some toll booths, over bridges, and through a tunnel or two before arriving around 6:20pm. As I entered the lobby there was a musty smell, and what smelled like body odor! I wanted a first floor room, but told the hotel was booked out for the weekend (this was a Thursday evening), so my room was on the 3rd floor. By the way, this hotel was not in a great area and the only visible nearby place to get a meal was across the highway. If I had only arrived before 6pm I could have cancelled my booking at no cost. So I had to stay there. I got to my room and found it hot and smelly from the heat. I had to turn on the AC full blast for it to cool down and get rid of the smell, which took about an hour. I had hoped to relax that night by watching the season finale of Touch. Wouldn’t you know, they were having issues with their cable and three of the stations were not working. Of course, the one I wanted to watch was one of them. Eventually I feel asleep on the little couch.
Day 3
This was the final day to reach the end of my 1,000 plus miles with many stops for potty breaks, stretching my legs, getting gas, and the occasional meal. I am grateful to Laurie Buchanan’s blog Speaking from the Heart post about her favorite writing tool, her squishy buns. http://holessence.wordpress.com/2012/05/22/squishy-buns-my-favorite-writing-tool/ It was just what I needed for such a long drive. I went to www.gelcoproducts.com and purchased one of their Gel Seats. What a great product. It helped me to sit straighter and more comfortably. And, for the first time after sitting in the car for long periods I did not feel stiff at all when I got out.
Yippee, this was the day to arrive at my real destination…the Rowe Camp & Conference Center in the Berkshire Mountains for the weekend writers’ retreat/workshop. Registration was 4-7 PM on this Friday, June 1st. With hors d’oeuvres starting at 6 PM I wanted to be there in time to get settled and join in the networking and snacks J Do you think it was food on my mind?
I made it up the mountain, arriving at Rowe Camp & Conference Center just before 5 PM.
Entrance to Rowe Farmhouse by Ann Marquette
Ann – It sounds like you had a wonderful time; comfy buns and all
Thanks Laurie. The 3 travel days on the way up were pretty good. Next I will write about the actual workshop and more pics
I know we will enjoy reading about the workshop. I could feel your pain when you didn’t get to see that programme and had to stay in a smelly room!
Thanks for stopping by Claire. Yes it was frustrating enough to have to stay in that hotel, which was not so nice, then to have issues with the cable and not be able to relax while watching Touch…! Oh well, I got over it
It is funny that I am reading this post about attending a writing conference as it has been something on my mind a lot lately. I have never been to one, I am a new writer and I am ffinding it hard to focus on my novel with all this blogging going on. I kept thinking ‘If only I could disappear to somewhere nice and peaceful, somewhere inspiring where other writers can share their lessons learned with me. So I can feel like I have a little more clue what it is I am doing!’
I hope you have some good tips for how to choose a reputable writers retreat, and maybe what I can expect. Thanks for the sign!
Hello Claire and welcome. I have written maybe three posts talking a little about journey to the writers workshop, but now need to write about the actual event
This was my very first one and I loved it. I heard about it because I subscribe to The Sun magazine, which I highly recommend you check out via its website http://www.thesunmagazine.org/ there you can read partials of the articles, and read ABOUT the magazine and how it came about. It is free of all ads and is supported only by subscribers.
I don’t know where you live, but you might also subscribe to Writer’s Digest which always tells about various writer’s conferences, retreats, etc. I LOVED The Sun workshop very much. However, I would love to have quiet time alone at a beach or a lake just to focus on my writing for a week
I can’t wait to hear about how things went Ann. Glad to hear your buns are in tact!
I have been so slow writing about this journey!!! Actually I have been slow these days writing about almost anything. I am reading, mostly books, etc. which are inspirational and helping me as I walk this transition path.
Gotta say mairzee, the Gel Seat is awesome. Sitting on it you can actually feel your back sitting straighter and feeling good.
Sorry about the hotel but….its the ‘climb’ that matters…you made it! I love your ‘pictures’…from your camera and your phrases. Still good reading, thanks.
Thanks Joyce. Blessings to you Dear Lady.