As you're reading this, I'm probably trying to keep my sleep-deprived fiance from drifting around ALL the sharp turns on the coastal highway we're taking on our way up to Northern California. I'll let you know how that goes for me.
In other words, I'm going on vacation! Woo! Something I haven't done for a very long time. In fact, something it seems like I've never done. Most of the trips that I've taken away from my hometown(s) during my life have been with a purpose: visit family, attend funerals/ graduations/ weddings, etc. This is the first time in a long time that I've taken a trip just for the heck of taking a trip. And that is an amazing feeling.
We're going to spend two nights in a bed and breakfast on the coast, camp for two nights, and even spend a night in a little seedy motel just to round out our accommodations tour-de-force. But the part I'm the most excited about is the bed and breakfast. It's a real Victorian house, literally right on the ocean. And I mean literally. It goes house--> street--> beach/ocean.
Okay, so, not LITERALLY in the sense that we are floating in the middle of the water or something, but pretty much way closer than I was expecting to get.
And the reason I'm excited? Well, aside from me just loving all things Victorian (and the ocean), I'm excited because it means inspiration. And maybe even quiet time to write-- a true luxury these days-- and the possibility of new material for my mental bank of settings and images.
The whole trip will be rich with inspiration, actually. We're camping in the redwoods and plan to do some hiking, which always opens me up to connecting with my artistic side. And on our way back down south, we're going to stop at the mother of all opulent estates this side of the Mississippi: Hearst Castle.
As long as I have electricity, I'll have some time to write surrounded by nothing but inspiration. Priceless.
And you know what awaits me when I return home (aside from a house hopefully not shredded by our cats in protest of our long absence)? Pumpkins!
I'll have an update on those soon. In the meantime, wish me luck keeping us awake and safe on the road. I won't be able to respond to comments on this post but I can read and enjoy them at least, so, tell me: what places inspire you?
4 comments:
Alas. Every time I am in the viccinity of Hearst Castle it seems like it is either two in the morning and we can't find a place to stay or the estate is closed. One day. One day I will actually get to see it.
I hope you have fun and come back dripping with inspiration. :D Traveling can be such an important part of storytelling even when --maybe even especially when --you have no particular goal in mind.
Have a great trip! Taking a break is so important to the creative process.
Ok, now I want a vacation too. :)
Is this pre-honeymoon practice? :)
Sounds like fun. I love the Redwoods, and the ocean. Here's hoping you acquire loads of inspiration!
......dhole
Have a great time, L.T., and for the record, you don't need electricity. Just take a notebook and a pen. You might find writing that way is even better than the computer.
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