This weekend, I’ll be joining about 100 readers and 40 writers at the Read, Write, Rendezvous in St. Louis. It’s always a joy to mingle with readers and fellow writers. I’m looking forward to a fun weekend filled with bookish delights.
Last weekend, however, my husband and I drove to Tulsa for the Will Rogers Medallion Award banquet. I was a double finalist in their western romance category. Since Tulsa is halfway to St. Louis, my hubby and I decided to make a week of it. We spent a few days in Springfield, MO to pass the time bewteen the two bookish events. I wrote in the mornings and we adventured in the afternoons.
On our way from Tulsa to Springfield, we decided to stop in Joplin, MO for lunch . . . and a waterfall. I’m a sucker for a waterfall, so we paused to enjoy Grand Falls.
Then we went into town and had Sunday brunch at a place called The Big Biscuit.
It lived up to it’s name!
We made it into Springfield, got settled in our little Airbnb, then decided that after that Big Biscuit Brunch, we needed some exercise. So we took a bike ride. My husband loves to bike. I go along on occasion but am usually home writing. Springfield has some wonderful paved greenways, though, that wind along creekbeds and through forests. We spotted several deer along the way and ended at this lovely river with a touch of fall colors shining along the bank.
Feeling good about our afternoon exercise, we moseyed down to Ozark, MO to eat at Lamberts. Home of thrown rolls. 🙂 We had plenty to take home to eat the next day.
And here is video evidence of both the roll throwing and the author catching. 🙂
Then on Tuesday evening, we had the highlight of the trip – a visit to Sight & Sound Theater in Branson to see David. We saw Esther last year and absolutely loved it. David was excellent as well.
All in all, it’s been an excellent impromptu vacation.
Where was the last place you visited away from home?
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Such a fun trip! A few years ago, we saw Esther there! Home of the throwed rolls is great!
Esther was phenomenal! I think I liked it better than David, but David was still wonderful.
Congratulations on you awards – love those books! Great pictures of your trip. You did so many wonderful things. I’ve been to two Sight and Sound productions in Lancaster, Pennsylvania – always amazing.
The last place I visited away from home was the Red River Gorge in eastern Kentucky. We had a family reunion there at the end of June. The big attraction was a water filled cave that had kayaking trips. My niece in South Carolina posted a picture on FB, and my daughter in California replied, “Great place for a family vacation.” So it began, with my niece setting it all up. Their family came from S. C., my daughter and family DROVE from California, and my son took me, my Granddaughter, and her friend from Virginia. When we did the kayaking (my daughter paddled for me), we found out the ‘cave’ was actually an old mine that filled with water.
What an adventure! That sounds like a great time, Betty!
So fun! And congrats on the well-deserved awards! Enjoy the reader rendezvous! I’m so sad I don’t get to attend this year. It is such a fun event.
I’m sad I won’t be there this year either. I was a blast sharing a table with you last year. Maybe we can “rendezvous” next year ;-)#Pineapple
This is my first time to attend, D’Ann. I’m looking forward to it!
The last place we visited was Branson, MO and also went to the Sight and Sound Theater! The performance this year was even better than the previous 3 years we’ve gone there, especially the music! Loved the story of David! Even bought the music CD which I listen to often in the car! Congratulations on your well-earned book awards! I’ve read most of your books, including the two you just won for, and they were excellent!!! The way that you weave a story throughout your books is never boring, always entertaining (with humor!), and inspirational in surprising places too! LOVE them!!!
Thank you so much for the sweet words, Denise. 🙂 Sight & Sound has become my new obsession. I look forward to whatever show comes next. I’ll have to find an excuse to return to Branson.
You were kinda sorta in my neck of the woods, Karen. And nice catch on that roll! They are piping hot, aren’t they!? We love Ozark, but have a Lambert’s closer to us in Sikeston, MO so that’s where we usually get our throwed rolls. 🙂 I’ll be waving at you from the Christy gala Friday night in our camper van parked near Jefferson City, MO. We’re on our way to watch our grandsons run in the State cross country meet in Columbia Saturday, then on to Kansas to visit my family. 🙂
How fun, Deb! Cheering your grandsons on! 🙂 Hope they have a great meet!
Karen, what a great way to spend the time between two bookish events. Have a WONDERFUL time at Rendezvous!
Thanks, Becky. This has been the most relaxed vacation we have had in a long time. I’ve loved it. I think I need to plan more trips like this in the future. This will be my first year to attend Rendezvous. I’m really looking forward to it!
Congratulations on “If the Boot Fits” & “Cloaked in Beauty” winning awards!!!! The whole Texas Ever After series is phenomenal! Such fun photos! ☺️📚💚
Thanks, Emilee! 🙂
Congratulations on your awards! The last place I went away from home was Chattanooga, TN. My husband had a work conference, and since we homeschool, my younger son and I tagged along. (We did school while my husband went to his conference.) We spent an extra day there to check out Ruby Falls and a few other places. Back in the summer we went to Branson and saw David. It was amazing!
How fun! We went to Ruby Falls several years ago. We chase waterfalls whenever we can. 🙂 Sounds like a great trip!
Looks like you both had a great time! I went to visit my aunt at the end of August, first of September. It was great to spend time with family, since I hadn’t seen them in four years!!
That family time is precious and so important. Glad you got to go!
Congratulations on the well deserved awards!