Banff Springs hotel, view from Bow Falls.Originally, I called this a 'writing retreat', but it ended up just being a 'me' retreat instead. But I'm okay with that. Who would want to sit inside writing when you could be outdoors enjoying the wonderful Canadian air? I sure didn't.
And mega-kudos to Grandma for stepping up, and watching, not only the dog, cat, guinea pig, Blinky the Beta, and a gazillion Koi, but also the eight year old munchkin for SIX days!! Woo-Hoo! What a woman!
On Friday (9/25) we took the kiddo lunch and said our good-byes. The entire trip to Canada went smoothly (reading material: Toni McGee Causy's When a Man Loves a Weapon)with the exception of one minor detail--neither one of us had a pen to fill out the customs form. Ooopsie! And Canada didn't seem to feel they should provide the impliment. Double oopsie! After begging a pen from a nice gentleman, I happened to get into the quickest damn line in the place and scribbled my info onto the slip. We were in Calgary Canada.
We stayed at a hotel instead of hubster's sister's house because they have a very large family and a relatively small house, so we stayed in a hotel--a Hampton Inn, BTW--they have the BEST freaking beds! Check out the revamped ones!
On Saturday (9/26) we spent time with the family. Walking, talking, hanging out and go-carting. Yeah, notice the two idiots who didn't have their helmets on? Yeah, that's the hubster and me. Little did we know that the go-carts were kamikazee go-carts, complete with sticky gas petals and stiff steering wheels. M
ore than one kid zoomed up the old tire embankments and had to be pushed off. Luckily no one flipped theirs . . . at least, none that I saw.
ore than one kid zoomed up the old tire embankments and had to be pushed off. Luckily no one flipped theirs . . . at least, none that I saw. On Sunday (9/27) we visited with the family some more. Hubster fixed his sister's computer and I chatted. His sister showed me her portfolio of metal garden art--she's really doing some awesome Objects! We had to leave to pick up one of Todd's employee's at the airport and then drove to Banff. I crashed the welcome reception and imbibed a couple of beers. We had a pretty nice room, but it didn't have the best views so I never bothered to take a picture.
Monday (9/28) Hubster went to his meetings and I took my time getting up. :-) Once moving around, I explored the castle . . . oops, hotel.
Checked out the mega expensive shops and decided to go see Bow Falls.
Going down to the falls was easy. It was coming back up the stairs that I had my doubts, so I decided to walk to town. Banff is a quaint little town that is in the middle of a Canadian National forest, so they aren't allowed to build without special permits and hotels are not allowed. If you don't want to stay at the big hotel or a B & B, you have to drive back to Canmore (@ 20-30 minute drive) to find a hotel. Anyhoo, once I walked back to the hotel I was beat and laid on the couch to read (Jayne Castle's Obsidian Prey). Dinner was at Castello Ristorante, an Italian restaurant. Very nice.
Hoodoos are next to my right shoulder.
Checked out the mega expensive shops and decided to go see Bow Falls.
Going down to the falls was easy. It was coming back up the stairs that I had my doubts, so I decided to walk to town. Banff is a quaint little town that is in the middle of a Canadian National forest, so they aren't allowed to build without special permits and hotels are not allowed. If you don't want to stay at the big hotel or a B & B, you have to drive back to Canmore (@ 20-30 minute drive) to find a hotel. Anyhoo, once I walked back to the hotel I was beat and laid on the couch to read (Jayne Castle's Obsidian Prey). Dinner was at Castello Ristorante, an Italian restaurant. Very nice.
Tuesday (9/29) I actually took my computer and sat down to write. Remember me mentioning that all I needed was a plug, a view and a beer? Well, I got two out of the three. For some reason, they don't serve beer at ten in the morning. . . go figure. Anyhoo, I wrote for awhile and managed to get 500 words written. 
Left: My view from Rundle Hall.
Left: My view from Rundle Hall.
It's not much, but it was better than the previous week! More wandering around and then hubster cut his afternoon classes. :-) 
Right: Hubster and me at Bow Falls
Right: Hubster and me at Bow Falls
We walked to Bow Falls and to town. This time we bought prezzies for our kiddo and hubster got a few things, too. Me, I got nuthin'. We walked back to the hotel to get the car to drive to see the hoodoos. 
Originally, I planned to walk to them--uh, did you know maps lie? Yeah, the hoodoo's were like MILES away! We came, we saw, we took a picture. This is our motto. Went back to town and ate at a pub and called it an early night.
Originally, I planned to walk to them--uh, did you know maps lie? Yeah, the hoodoo's were like MILES away! We came, we saw, we took a picture. This is our motto. Went back to town and ate at a pub and called it an early night.Hoodoos are next to my right shoulder.
Wednesday (9/30) Hubster went to two meetings while I packed and read. By mid-morning we were on our way to the Calgary airport--THIS time with pen in hand. The trip home was uneventful again (Tracy Anne Warren's Seduced By His Touch) I read the entire trip.
Home to our cutie-patootie kiddo and a ton of laundry and chores.
It was a nice break, but it's time to . . .
Write on!
Sounds like a great trip! Were the leaves changing and beautiful or were they all conifers?
ReplyDeleteBet the little one was glad to get you home.
Susan
So--in total you wrote 500 words while you were gone? You must have needed the break.
ReplyDelete;)
such a beautiful place. The Rockies are incredible.
ReplyDeleteHubs and I played the golf course while we were. It was in September. It snowed! Here we are trying to play golf in freezing weather. I'd take off my winter gloves, hit my golf ball, put my coat and gloves back on, huddle in the golf cart, and move on the next shot. We were miserable! LOL I don't think we made it 9 holes before I said, "ENOUGH!"
Did you lots of elk? They were everywhere. Any moose or other wildlife? We saw a bear while we were there.
Hey Susan!
ReplyDeleteMost of the trees were pines of some sort or another, but there were a few yellow trees--no clue what type they were.
I think I needed a reading break. I'd been beating my head against the wall with this second middle-grade novel, so I've decided to give Rosewood Manor another shot. It's an RS with some paranormal--I'm going to try to finish it for the Golden Heart. Talk about a CHALLENGE!
From what we heard, Cyndi, all the elk were hanging around the golf course. I never made it down there to get pictures. :-(
Margaret, I have been most of those places and they are gorgeous. Thanks so much for sharing the photos.
ReplyDeleteI have written about 10,000 words over the past week and a half. I think I'm an all-or-nothing sort when it comes to writing!
Awesome word count, Jody!
ReplyDeleteI decided to put my middle grade story aside, for now--as I don't have a decent enough plot to hold it together.
BUT I'm working on a synopsis for a story I'm thinking of entering in RWA's Golden Heart--I just need to finish the damn story!
Anyhoo, once I finish the synopsis I'll send it to you to see if it makes sense.
Sometimes you just have to go where the creative muse takes you. Nothing comes out worse-sounding than 'forced' writing. The plot will reveal itself to you when it's good and ready.
ReplyDeleteI'd love to take a look at the synopsis, so send it any time.
Thanks, Jody!
ReplyDeleteI hope to have a 'rough' synopsis in a day or two.