Reader Retreat Fun

Hi friends, and happy Wednesday! 

I’m still on a high. I got to spend the better part of last week with my people—readers and fellow writers. It was Lynette Eason, Gabrielle Meyers, and little ol’ me, along with a fabulous group of readers. I had the BEST time. It was flawlessly organized by Mindelynn of Read Far and Wide. 

Mindelynn is organized, creative, so fun to be around, and downright hysterical. If you haven’t been on one of her trips, you should! I have another one coming up in May in Miami—Book Girls Just Want to Have Fun—with the wonderful Christy Barritt and lovely Connie Mann. We’d love to have you join us for three days of literary fun and a little girlfriend pampering in the sun. Shoot Mindelynn or me an email if you have any questions. It’ll be up on her website soon with all the deets. 

But for Charleston’s trip last week…

We arrived on site at the hotel to a lovely glass of champagne and a luxury hotel with beds you just want to sink into. We met at the gorgeous Boone Hill Plantation for the Notebook movie filming tour. Being a huge fan of the film, I loved leading the tour with fun facts and a variety of locations. My favorite was Pitt Street Pharmacy, which is an old ice-cream-counter diner inside the old-fashioned pharmacy. A scene from the movie was shot outside, but inside was a step back in time, filled with delicious burgers and root beer floats. 

A second tour I did was on Edgar Allen Poe. Most people know that Poe spent time in Charleston, but he was stationed at Fort Moultrie on Sullivan’s Island. We visited the fort and walked the same paths Poe once did as an eighteen-year-old. Then we visited Poe’s Tavern for some aptly named “Poe” dishes. We sat outside in the warm sun, chatting about what we’d learned, books, and all the fun that lay ahead. 

We walked the streets of Charleston as Gabrielle led a historical tour, we visited the Charleston Historical Society’s private library collection, and so much more. 

What was best was friendships deepened and new friendships made. There’s nothing like spending time with others who share your love of books. And, we may or may not have visited umpteen bookstores and came home with more books than a shelf can carry. LOL!  

Question for you: 

Would you enjoy being on a reader tour? If so, where’s the top place you’d like to visit? 

Until next time! 

Blessings, 

Dani