Guess where I'm going in a few weeks? I suppose the title of today's blog post gave it away? I had thought any chance of a 'go-away-somewhere-new-and-different' vacation was out of the question once I bought new furniture, but I am going to tag along with my sister and her husband for a long weekend in Estes Park, Colorado. We'll be driving (it's about eight hours away from Omaha) and staying in a 'cabin' right on Fall River.
You have no idea how in need of a nice change of scenery I am at the moment. I haven't been to Colorado since I was a kid and went on a family vacation to Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. I can already picture myself with my feet up, sitting on the porch of the cabin overlooking the river--all blissful with a book in hand and peace and quiet, save the sound of a gurgling stream rushing by. Maybe doing a little hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park (I'm told there is a wonderful and picturesque walk around Bear Lake) or shopping in downtown Estes Park.
This is all a bit sudden and last minute, so I've not even had much time to plan and think about traveling there and what I would like to see and do, but I am sure it won't take long to come up with ideas. Is it a bad thing that I have already began mentally packing books for the long drive and the few days we'll be there? It'll be a quick trip of five days but still plenty of time to do a few things and relax a little. As it turns out there will be a Scottish Irish Highlands Festival going on at the same time I'll be there, but I have a feeling I might be busy with other things. Maybe I'll see men in kilts?
You know I always like to read about where I am going so I will be in search of something good set in Colorado. While I plan on taking 'in progress' books along with me (my reading has been all over the place--all year really--and I need to do something about it--but more about that another day), I wouldn't mind picking up a book or two to give a taste of the place between now and then. I already have pulled out my books by Sandra Dallas (I went through a big phase reading every book by her I could get my hands on some years back) and it looks as though The Diary of Mattie Spenser is set on the Colorado Frontier in the mid-1800s. I started reading her newest, Fallen Women, a while back and was quite enjoying it before it had to go back to the library and to the next person in line for it. It's due out in paper just before I leave so I will try and get my hands on a copy to take with me. I can also grab my copy of Willa Cather's Song of the Lark, which is set in a small Colorado town. You never need to twist my arm to pick up a book by Willa as I totally admire her work, and truth be told I am always looking for a good excuse to read more of her work.
And, of course, suggestions are always most welcome! Do you have a reading recommendation of a good story set in Colorado? A little mood reading, something to make me feel like I'm already there is in order about now! It gives me something to look forward to and something to draw out the pleasure of travel and seeing new places (thank goodness for stories, eh?)!