Tag Archives: Travel Bug Tuesday

Behind the Falls

07 Tuesday Mar 2017

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I admit it. When I think of travel, I sometimes totally forget how awesome the Pacific Northwest is, often looking for a more exotic destination than the area’s gorgeous scenery. Shame on me!

I was reminded of all this gorgeousness when I met up with a few of my friends recently. See, with all the crazy-ass snow and ice we’d gotten up to that point, we were pretty much bouncing off the walls and ready to get outside and DO SOMETHING on the first somewhat warm, non-rainy day that finally showed up. Well, okay, it did rain a bit, but it wasn’t the drowning kind, so I’m glad we braved it! Take a peek!

_dsc0104The Silver Creek Falls hiking trails take you behind a couple of the water falls. Like, you’re standing behind them! This is the northern most fall, with this constant roar as the water dumped itself over the edge – way cool!

This summer I plan to explore more of the local area and take advantage of the sights and sounds and general awesomeness that makes up my part of the world. So excited!

What treasures are in your part of the world?

Happy Travels,
Melia

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All the Curves

10 Tuesday Jan 2017

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Ooooh! I loves me a good surprise! Which is why roads that curve intrigue me. Think about it. Anything could be on the other side of the bend. A trailhead…a roadside fruit stand…even a boat ramp where I could pull off and sit by the river for a while. How fun is that?

It recently occurred to me that life works the same way. I mean, here we are, motoring along, enjoying the scenery when life curves, leaving us no choice but to follow it if we’re to stay on our life path. And if we look around when we do that, we can come across some super cool surprises! Maybe we let go of old friends and pick up new ones. Or end up in our dream job! Maybe we even discover who we really are because the road turned when we least expected it. And then we decide we like ourselves even more!

I suppose it isn’t a surprise, then, that when I look at the following pic I see something deliciously optimistic ahead…

_dsc0125What about you? What do you see? Please share in the comments below!

Happy Travels,
Melia

The Virgin Moments Continue

04 Tuesday Oct 2016

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I’m pretty well convinced that this is the year of virgin moments for me. It’s kinda like waking up after a long, long, LONG nap and finding all these cool things that I’ve yet to experience. Like paddle boarding on the Deschutes River.

IMG_7039I wasn’t sure at first. After all, that water was COLD! And the thought of slipping off the paddle board…well, let’s just say I wasn’t looking forward to getting my hair wet.  🙂 But once I got myself on it, I was hooked!

There’s something so freakin’ cool about gliding along on the water with few peeps around. Makes for a very contemplative time, time I used thinking about the characters in the book I’m working on now. I thought about how to take two broken people, make them whole so they can come together and create something bigger than each of them. Pretty heavy stuff, huh?

Well, whatever it is that feeds La Muse, I’m all for it! Unless it involves jumping out of a perfectly good airplane…I gotta draw the line somewhere!

I know there are more adventures to come, and I’m looking forward to sharing them with you, so thanks bunches for hanging with me!

What activity do you participate in that makes you contemplative?

Happy Travel Bug Tuesday…

~Melia

The Bells Toll at St. Michael’s

03 Tuesday Nov 2015

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Well, okay, I honestly don’t remember if the bells tolled when I first saw St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral. All I remember was that I was in a new city in a different state, and I got a chance to explore sans kids or husband. Translation: It was pure bliss!

Let me explain…As a writer, I tend to get lost in story when I come across anything interesting. Doesn’t seem to matter what it is – a smell, a sound, an awesome pair of shoes…Maybe one that a certain writer might gift herself with once she finishes her next book and sends it in to her amazing editor…*insert happy sigh!*

But I digress…

Let’s just say La Muse loves sipping her Bourbon, smoking her cigar and making stuff up at the slightest provocation…Unless, of course, I’m on deadline. It’s generally at this point she decides she needs a vacay. (Nice, huh?)

Anyway, while on a recent trip to Boise, I walked around the city a bit (and ooohhh, did I come up with a great story idea! But, again, I digress…sorry…) and came on this really cool little church just a block from the state capitol.

Isn’t it pretty? I love the details in the glass, the iron, and the woodwork. Gorgeous!

It didn’t take long before La Muse spun a few ideas about what might’ve happened in this church — sassy, sexy, fun kind of things! (Ssshhh! Don’t tell my mother…) And some of it was pretty good, too! Good enough to make it into a future book, even. 😀

Do you sometimes stumble on certain objects or places or things that make your head spin a tale? Please share!

Happy travels,
Melia

 

Writerly Retreat

17 Tuesday Mar 2015

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One of the beauties of having such generous writerly friends is the chance to visit their wonderful get-aways. Or, in this case, writer-pal Delilah Marvelle‘s GORGEOUS home!

Set on eighty lush forest-y acres, Delilah and Mr. Marvelle are busy renovating the existing house on the property. Aaannd…I’ll have my own room in it! For when I come visit. Which will be often. Thanks, Delilah! 😉

Welcome to the Marvelle’s!
My very own room!
And the view outside my room!
Loving the invitation to explore the grounds!

I’m so looking forward to the peace and quiet, to the calming beauty, and the chance for La Muse to crank out some amazing pages.

Aren’t I lucky? I think so! 🙂

Happy travels,
Melia

Winterscape

30 Tuesday Dec 2014

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Happy Travel Bug Tuesday!

Now, personally, I’d prefer the beach this time of year. And not anything like the Pacific Northwest type, you know. More like some place that doesn’t require a windbreaker over a really cute bikini.

But for those who actually like snow, a dear friend trekked through some hills in our part of the world, and sent me this pic:

WP952014122895026Don’t know about you, but I’m thinking there are at least a couple of great stories here. Stranded damsel in distress? Or maybe a stranded hero saved by the heroine? Maybe he was running from some bad dudes, or chasing after them? Maybe he was saving the heroine! *Sigh*

What do you all think? I’d be interested in what you come up with, so please step up and share!

Happy travels,
Melia

Christmas Visits

24 Wednesday Dec 2014

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Welcome to Travel Bug Tuesday!

One of the bestest parts of the holidays is visiting with friends and family. 20141223_091522Especially when you actually like them! So it was when I trekked over hill and dale and through mud and sleet in bare feet…Well, okay…So I really packed a bag and shoved it into the car trunk before heading up the freeway, but still…

Anyhoo, I got to spend some wonderful quality time with my lovely writer pal Fiola Faelan! We talked writerly stuff and life stuff, and I was reminded yet again how incredibly lucky I am to have amazing people in my life. And that includes you all!

Thanks so much for stopping by, and for leaving a message or two. As I continue on this publishing journey, your presence here means more to me than I could ever express!

Happy travels,
Melia

Christmas in The Philippines

16 Tuesday Dec 2014

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I’m fortunate to have extended family within driving distance. And while I don’t get to visit as often as I like, it’s a real treat when I do make the two-hour trek to see them. Recently (just last night, in fact), my nephew practiced a speech he was to give to his class. 20141216_202241

The topic was Christmas and some of the cultural differences between his Philippine heritage as compared to that in the United States. It was adorable (because he is, after all, seven!), and it reminded me so much the traditions I’d grown up with. For instance, the typical Barong (which he was kind enough to model for me – isn’t he cute?) is worn by males during special occasions. There are also different games played, and definitely different food that graces a traditional Filipino table during the holidays (a roasted pig, for instance, complete with an apple in its mouth). Yum!

There were even visual aids used, like the FILIPINO FRIENDS book he brought with him (displayed here by his sister). And the part I’m most proud about? This little guy was thoroughly comfortable standing in front of a room full of people and giving his speech! How many adults can say that?

Even as a seven-year-old, he reminded me about the wide range of experiences (a.k.a. back story) that we all carry with us as we travel on this road called “life.” It’s these same experiences that guide us as we make choices and deal with what comes our way. It’s through testing our experiences that we grow. At least, I think so!

And as I plot my next book, remembering his speech helped emphasize the importance of my characters’ back stories. Apple, anyone?

Happy Travel Bug Tuesday,
Melia

Christmas at Grand Cayman

09 Tuesday Dec 2014

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Happy Travel Bug Tuesday!

I’m one of those peeps who loves collecting Christmas mementos when I travel. 20141209_194055There’s something about holding an ornament that, when gathered on a special trip, evokes some pretty powerful memories.

This one was picked up in Grand Cayman several years ago. Even now, I feel the warmth of the water as we played with sting rays on a sand bar….I taste the turtle burger we had for lunch….I feel the Caribbean breeze caressing us as we walked the dock. And it all makes me smile.

Travel mementos are beautiful reminders of happy times. For me, they’re also the promise of what can always be: a lifetime of collecting special memories.

Happy travels,
Melia

Bear Country, USA

02 Tuesday Dec 2014

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Happy Travel Bug Tuesday!

One of the traditions I adore is picking up a Christmas ornament when we travel. This one always makes me smile. Well, okay, it makes me laugh out loud, too. 20141202_055954

When I see it, I’m transported back to one of the most amazing vacations I’ve ever had. Road trip 2011. With family. Five adults and two kids in a minivan with ten days worth of clothing and two coolers of food and drinks. Yep, we were pretty tightly packed….

So it shouldn’t have been a surprise when ten minutes out of the driveway, ten-year-old nephew yells from the back seat of the minivan, “Mom! Sister’s in my zone! Tell her to stop!”

And, yeah. This ornament brings it all back. The laughter. The tears. The bonding that took place. ‘Cause, really, how could it not?

Do you collect Christmas ornaments? What’s one of your faves?

Happy travels,
Melia