Trip highlights so far

No, I haven’t fallen into the San Francisco Bay. Just been busy, busy, busy since leaving home last week. Because I’m sure all of you have been waiting anxiously to hear my travel tidbits here’s a rundown.

Last Wednesday — Drove the 3.5 hours to the train station.

Thursday — Rode train to Chicago, boarded second train for California; too tired to work on manuscript, so read Simone Elkeles’ Leaving Paradise (up for a YA RITA this year), watched Penelope on my laptop, and read stuff for the board meeting. Traveled through Illinois, Iowa and Nebraska.

Friday –  Traveled through Colorado and Utah. One of the prettiest part of the trip, the winding along the Colorado river in western Colorado. As usual, there were tons of rafters, several of whom mooned the train (also common). I think the most beautiful stretch of this day is Ruby Canyon on the Colorado-Utah border.

Friday — Traveled across Utah and into Nevada.

Saturday — Crossed Nevada and California. The Sierra Nevada portion was lovely as always, and I actually like the run across the desolate desert of Nevada because it has a stark, remote beauty of its own. When we went across the salt flats, it’s so flat that you can see forever. Arrived in San Francisco and good friend Theresa Ragan picked me up and took me to the hotel. Thanks, Theresa! Since the rest of the board members had arrived earlier, they’d already eaten dinner so I got some Chinese takeout and fired up my laptop to find I’d received 400 e-mails in two days!

Sunday — RWA Board of Directors meeting, followed by more takeout with everyone.

Monday — Long day to finish board meeting at 9ish last night.

Today — My day off! Had a wonderful guided tour of the city. Took a ferry over to Sausalito, a cute seaside village, where I had lunch with my agent. Then we boarded a shuttle to ride back across the Golden Gate Bridge, which was so cool! It was the first time I’d seen the bridge. It was kind of seeing the Statue of Liberty in person for the first time. Saw Alcatraz and Angel Island (the West’s equivalent to Ellis Island) from the ferry. Visited the Palace of Fine Arts, the Japanese Tea Garden at Golden Gate Park, Lombard Street (curviest street in the country, maybe world), saw the Presidio as we drove by, and walked through China Town. Personally, I liked the Golden Gate Bridge and Sausalito the best. I wished I’d had more time to explore the little town, but after eating lunch it was time to meet the shuttle.

Tonight, I had dinner with the Romance Bandits, and a great time was had by all.

Tomorrow, the conference kicks off, and the schedule just gets busier and busier. But it’s great to see friends and soak up the great energizing vibe I always get from writing conferences.  More reports to come.

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TAGS: RWA National Conference