Traveling eastward, once I hit Texas, the influence of the oppressive humidity coupled with an invitation from friends in Austin who have a beautiful air conditioned home, a pool, and a fantastic real bed made me rethink my tent camping strategy. From Austin, I headed to Baton Rouge, Louisiana where I planned to camp. I remembered that my friends Drew and Robin Patty lived there. I hadn't seen them in perhaps 20 years and I reached out to see if they wanted to have dinner. They offered up their air conditioned guest house that sits right next to their pool. What's a girl to do??? When a blessing is offered, it should be received. Drew and Robin are the kind of friends who, no matter ho
The first time I went to Esalen, I was 14 and since I moved back to California in 2008, this sacred and beautiful ground has become a place of great refuge for me. I left my car in Austin to fly back to California to attend the Esalen Writer's Camp. I was there for 5 days with an all-star faculty (Cheryl Strayed, Steve Almond, Alan Heathcock, Pam Houston, Sam Dunn, and Faith Adiele). I arrived, thinking I had a lot to write about. And, I do. But I couldn't seem to produce words on paper. In fact, I half-heartedly attended only 3 of the 9 classes offered. Instead, I spent time listening to the ocean, knitting a sweater for my granddaughter, soaking in the baths, taking walks, communing
