Linda Goodnight here, on
the topic of summer vacations. As a writer I use trips as both leisure and
business, researching as I go. You just never know what little town, curvy
road, or snippet of conversation will ignite a story idea. In May I took my
first “across the pond” trip to Ireland. (I'm not a great photographer but you can see a few photos here.)
Now,
I’m gearing up to take the family…somewhere. I keep thinking of that song, “Heads
Carolina, Tails California” by Jo Dee Messina. We can’t decide, though we love
mountains and haven’t seen any of the Appalachian chain. I’m thinking the Blue
Ridge in N. Carolina. My husband wants to see Kentucky. As you might guess, we
like remote, off the tourist track sites. And hopefully one of these will stir
up some great new settings for future books!
Where are you going/did
you go on vacation this year? Any suggestions for me as to scenic places to
visit?
Writers, have you ever gotten a story idea from a vacation spot? Tell all!
Leave a comment to be entered in a drawing for a free copy of Linda's current release, BABY IN HIS ARMS, either digital or print. If you are outside of the U.S., you can still enter for the digital version! Drawing to be held on Friday.
Posts
Hi Linda! Wherever you go, you're sure to find inspiration for a story. My husband and I keep returning to Glacier National Park in Montana every 2-3 years. We love it so much that we're going back again this August. We keep saying that we need to go one more time while we're still physically able to climb those mountains. Since I dwell in the flatlands, mountaintops inspire me with awe for the majesty of God's creation. I used the setting for my third book, All Roads Lead Home. Enjoy your vacation!
ReplyDeleteWe're creatures after your own heart :) We love odd roadside attractions! We've seen the largest man-made grotto in the world, we've had marbles made just for us at a marble factory. If it's weird and off-beat, we'll give it a try!
ReplyDeleteChristine, we are the same way about mountains. Always Awed by God's marvelous creation. We saw Glacier Park once years ago and it is absolutely the most stunning place on earth. Breathtaking.
ReplyDeleteSherri, I like the off- beat too! Anything away from the madding crowd.
ReplyDeleteNorth Carolina and Kentucky are both beautiful! Maybe you can do both. :) (Says Missy who was born and raised in KY and whose son went to college in NC). :)
ReplyDeleteWe actually did a big vacation this year! That's not normal for us as we usually just visit family (which we love, by the way!) Our son is going to grad school in Philadelphia (we live in Oregon) so we decided to go see New York City for the first time. It was awesome. What a city! We wouldn't want to live there but it was a fantastic vacation and we loved it. We took our 17 month old granddaughter with us and she was so good....cute as a button! Our daughter, who is a teacher, went along too so it was a family vacation AND an exciting trip in one! Just one of our children couldn't make it - sad face!!! We also visited the historical spots in Philadelphia. A wonderful trip!
ReplyDeleteValri, sounds like a fantastic trip!
ReplyDeleteHubby and I recently spent a couple nights at the lovely Lodge, at Calloway Gardens, Georgia. We enjoyed the pool, gardens, a special butterfly house, a birds of prey show, man-made beach at their lake and just "down time" to enjoy nature. We're planning another trip since it's only an hour away.
And, yes, the Gardens will play a role in one of my upcoming stories.
Missy, do you know of any remote rental cabins in either state's mountains?
ReplyDeleteOooh Valri, that sounds like an amazing trip. New York is full of stuff to do and I would love to visit the historical sites of Philadelphia. did you see Freedom Hall, the Liberty Bell and all that cool stuff?
ReplyDeleteAnd your home state of Oregon sounds great too! Is it is a beautiful as I've heard?
Debbie, I'm a big fan of butterfly houses. Oh my. So beautiful. Georgia is a state I've not seen much of even though my brother lived there for years. When we went to his house, we just hung and visited and never saw anything. (Other than CNN, of course, since he worked there. lol)
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ReplyDeleteMy favorite vacation spot is Cape Cod in Massachusetts. I'm a little biased since my family has owned a summer house there since I was a toddler. Sun, sea, sand, seafood. What more could I ask for? It's been really nice watching my husband and kids fall in love with the Cape also. My second favorite vacation spot is France, which is a rare treat. So much to do there and so many quaint villages to explore!
We recently took a trip with our daughter, son-in-law and two granddaughters. We drove from Tucson, AZ, to Del Mar, CA, near San Diego. My daughter said we should get out of the June heat in Tucson. It was much cooler in the San Diego area. We went to the beach, but this grandma wasn't going to swim in the cold water. :)
ReplyDeleteLinda, one of our favorite spots is St Louis. My brother lived there while attending seminary. The seminary grounds themselves are gorgeous, full of history and worthy of a visit. There is SO MUCH to do & see in St Louis. And a lot of it is FREE...i.e. their zoo (which has an amazing penguin habitat), the awesome Art and History Museums, The Muny (outdoor theater), & their Science Center...which is a blast for kids and adults alike. And Turtle Park was one of my kiddos favorites. Of course you also have the Arch...which has a free museum downstairs. There are the St. Louis Cardinals to watch. FUN. You can go see the famous Budweiser Clydesdales and lots of other animals from around the worlds at Grant's Farm. One of our favorite spots costs some money...but gave us some wonderful memories...and that is the City Museum. It is an indoor funhouse. I am unsure even how to try to explain it. Imagine a McDonald's play area...now expand it to a HUGE multi-story warehouse and make it as adult friendly as it is kid friendly. There was so much to do. Lots of places to climb around, explore & hide in. Craft areas. A multi-story slide! Skate boarding areas. Food court. I know I'm forgetting a LOT. That place was fabulous.
ReplyDeleteMy brother has since moved...and we have talked, several times, about going back again! :)
BelleC, I have never been to Cape Cod or any of that area along the NE coast and would absolutely love to see it. I researched the area for a book once and fell in love with it.
ReplyDeleteAs to France...that's a dream and someday I hope to see it.
Missie, I agree. St. Louis is a fabulous place to visit, especially with a family. So much to see and do that costs very little. My daughter lived there for several years and I visited her a couple of times and roamed the city, went to the Magic House, their wonderful zoo, a Cards' game, etc. But I missed the City Museum. Hmm? Maybe I need to go back sometime.
ReplyDeleteMerrillee, you made me giggle. I feel the same way about getting in that cold water!
ReplyDeleteLinda Have you heard of Helen Ga, they ever have some prospecting for gold there, not far from callaway gardens area too.
ReplyDeleteI was raised in Ky and plan a trip home and then brother-sister and I are going to macanac island MI, none of us have been there and will be wonderful to do it together...
Hope you have wonderful trip wherever you end up going...
Paula O
Paula O, you'll love Mackinac Island. It's lovely, has no cars (only horses and bicycles allowed), and is the oh-so-romantic setting of the old movie, Somewhere in Time with Jane Seymour and a young Christopher Reeve.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Smokey Mountains are my favorite place on earth- esp in the autumn. There is history, beauty, streams and rivers, flora and fauna and tucked away from the bustling crowd you can even find peace and quiet. Love it. I tell people it is God's greatest gift to America.
ReplyDeleteYes, Linda we saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall (including all the buildings around it!) It was awesome! I'm an American History buff and my daughter teaches 3rd grade so we loved every minute! So touching to see the actual room where the Declaration of Independence was signed! In NYC, going to the 9/11 Memorial was super humbling too.
ReplyDeletePaula, I'm unfamiliar with Helen, GA and had no idea they ever had gold in Georgia! Fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI've never been to Michigan either. Gee, I need to get out more! :)
Joyce, I've wanted to see the Great Smokies for a long time but my husband thinks it would be crowded and touristy. Is that not the case? Maybe I can talk him into it.
ReplyDeleteValri, I would positively squeal to in the room where the Declaration of Independence was hammered out and signed. Like you, I am an American history buff, taught it for years and just love anything from the Colonial period. In Williamsburg, during a teacher institute, we teachers were privileged to enter a very special library and handle historic documents. (with gloves, of course.) I touched a letter Thomas Jefferson wrote and I will never forget the impact of that moment.
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