Saturday, July 22, 2023
Stats: 100 miles driven, Colorado Springs and Castle Rock
Book Launch Party Day!!! Not for my book, but for my on-line writing friend, Julie Cordova. I’m so happy that the timing of our trip worked out for me to celebrate with her.
In case you aren’t aware, I’ve been in a writing group of 8-10 women for a few years. We meet online each Monday, Wednesday, and Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. Eastern. We share what we plan to do, then turn off our mics and video, implement the plan for two hours, and check back in. As individuals, set monthly goals, read portions of our writings to each other, and receive valuable feedback.
We are an eclectic group representing numerous genres including poetry, non-fiction, faith-based fiction, mystery/thriller fiction, and children’s literature. We live in Florida, Tennessee, 2 in Texas, Wisconsin, 3 in Colorado, and Canada.
I can’t imagine that I would have published Aunt Kitten without these women. We have become good friends.
I’ve met Julie once while she vacationed in Florida. I met Marie in Canada two weeks ago. And I met Danelle who lives in the Denver area tonight.
Gregg and I had planned to have a low-key day, starting with seeing the famous Air Force Chapel. Sadly, Gregg realized this morning that the chapel is closed for renovations until 2027.
Plan B was to get some computer things done in the hotel breakfast area. My blog email which is automatically generated by MailerLite was sent out this morning with links that didn’t work. Again. So I was online with customer service for a while and I formulated and sent out a new email with the blog contents in it. For some reason, that link didn’t work, either. At least it didn’t matter since the contents of the post were included in the email.
Should you get lost or stuck in my blog, it may help to look at the very top of the web page. In the periwinkle bar along the top are tab labels. Click on the word “blog.” That should take you to my main blog page which lists all of my posts.
If you have trouble, you are welcome to contact me via email or the contact page on my website.
After leaving the hotel, we went to Costco for gas and to meander. Costco has marvelous mountain views in front and back! Amazing! We bought a few things, then headed north a bit to Castle Rock, where Julie lives.
The town is so cute! It is probably a bedroom community for Denver and Colorado Springs since it is located between them. There is a huge rock formation on top of a hill so it looks like a castle up there.
The downtown area is an inviting place to hang out. They have great walking and biking trails, a small river running through town, and a wonderful park where they hold concerts and events. There is a splash fountain where many children were cooling off by playing in the water.
We found a delicious ice creamery. They make their own ice cream and gelato. Yum! And we could see Castle Rock in the distance from our window bar seats.
We drove around town and the residential areas, got the car washed to remove a layer of bugs, wandered around Target, and just hung out until 6pm – party time.
I was the first to arrive and Danelle was the second so it was fun for the three of us to have a few minutes to take selfies and chat.
Julie’s husband, son, and daughter-in-law had worked hard to prepare delicious foods. Julie was so creative to select food and decorations that blended well with her theme. And she served wine that they had bottled and labled specially for this occasion.
It was a lovely evening and we sat outside eating and chatting up a storm. There was even a gorgeous sunset. The time flew by way too quickly. It was a very special evening! The Other Side of the Rainbow is officially launched! Congratulations, Julie Cordova!
