How I Spent My Summer Vacation
Last Thursday morning, the architect dropped me off at the airport for my magical three-day trip to New Orleans. I had two purposes for visiting: the first – to hang out with and old (and I mean old…) friend that I’ve known for fifteen years (that might make me almost old).
The second was research related. Although I’m mid edit on my first book (and I got through another four chapters on my trip), my third book is primarily set in New Orleans and just outside Santa Fe.
There are cities visited in my trilogy that I don’t feel bad not having experienced myself (or not having experienced with the book in mind), but I really wanted to get New Orleans right. The city, the culture, the atmosphere.
This is my house inspiration for a large part of the book.
So when aforementioned friend said he was thinking about going to New Orleans, I invited myself along.
It was an amazing city and I had a wonderful time. I might even go back someday. But holy hell, was it humid. I went out for my Saturday morning run and couldn’t even make my three mile goal. I have never been so sweaty in my life.
Sweatiest of sweaty selfies
The coffee was amazing, though, and we did hit up Bourbon Street every night and stay out too late drinking ridiculous drinks out of ridiculous glasses.
I was actually a lot more sober than I look. It’s hard to do a responsible looking selfie with a glowing skull full of booze.
I bought silly souvenirs.
We had fancy dinner.
We went on a ghost tour where I was the only one taking notes. (When I texted that tidbit to my PSM, she replied, “You didn’t choose the nerd life.”)
Word.
I walked more than 7 miles each on Friday (cemeteries! Ghost tour!) and Saturday (disappointing run! disappointing cemetery! Louis Armstrong Park!).
I saw a animal – a winged unimule. A unimulasus. or a pegamulicorn. I think pegamulicorn.
I saw zombies, although my friend says it was just some hungover dudes.
I did not see any vampires. As far as I know. Maybe I did and they were just blending in and didn’t introduce themselves because I’m not good vamp-turning material. That is fucking tragic, is what that is.
I stayed up too late and woke up too early and managed to be both eerily productive and find some bikini lounging time
Checking “wear a bikini in public” off my life list! Go me!
I got to spend a lot of quality time with my really old friend, eat some fantastical foods, and overall had a simply fantastic vacation.
Cafe au lait and beignets? Don’t mind if I do.
I am, however, delighted to be back with my family. I missed them all – especially the small one who seemed to have had a good time without me.
Huge shout-out to my sister-wife who took such good care of my dudes while I was gone.
Now – who wants to go to Santa Fe with me? I can’t promise there’ll be hurricanes, but I can promise it’ll be fun!
