So… We Took a Trip

You may have noticed my absence on the blog over the last two weeks. There’s a great reason for that—I’m in deadline mode.

Sometimes, writers must get words on the page rather than write a blog post. It’s that little thing we call balance. Knowing what to prioritize in our lives and sticking to it.

Still, I’ve missed you and I wanted to share a little about my recent trip to Bartlesville and Pawhuska, Oklahoma.

Why those towns? Well, both areas are rich in history and unique in culture, and Pawhuska, of course, is home to The Pioneer Woman, Ree Drummond.

My friend Julia and I decided now would be the perfect time to schedule a little R&R. It’s so important writers water their creative wells and nourish their spirits.

We’re not effective storytellers if we’re overextended and exhausted.

For the past year or so, we’d talked about a trip to “The Merc” (Ree Drummond’s abbreviated term for The Mercantile) and late April seemed like the ideal month to get away before the busyness of summer found us.

We made reservations several weeks in advance at a nice hotel in Bartlesville, about a thirty-minute drive from Pawhuska. We wanted to stay at the The Pioneer Woman Boarding House, but when we checked into availability, we discovered that rooms were booked almost two years out. Imagine our surprise!

While that disappointed us, we remained upbeat and assumed Plan B (the Hilton Garden Inn in Bartlesville). The Hilton offered complimentary breakfasts with our stay, and we appreciated the friendly staff and lovely accommodations. Not too pricey and within walking distance to nearby shops and eateries.

I have to tell you, though, when the fire alarm jolted us awake one night, that did give us pause. We assumed it was a battery malfunction since we didn’t hear any activity and saw nothing in the hall, but our overactive imaginations ran wild. For writers, it doesn’t take much. A seemingly little thing, and we’re off to the races!

Next time we visit Pawhuska, we may check out the newly opened Frontier Hotel across the street from the PW Boarding House (again, availability is limited) or we may reserve a room at one of the local B&Bs like the Grandview Inn. Julia and I never know where our adventures will lead us. (Julia’s my writing buddy, traveling companion, and good, good friend of the past seven or so years. Oh, and remember the groundhog story? Ahh… Good times!)

As creatives, it’s good to laugh at ourselves and “do crazy” once in a while. It de-stresses us. Having (healthy) fun means we’re embracing life as God intends.

We arrived in Bartlesville on a Friday and since it was only a two-and-a-half hour drive from our little niche in the Missouri Ozarks, we checked in and still had a good chunk of the day to sightsee a bit, eat, and relax.

We indulged in some mouth-watering fried macaroni bites and bourbon chicken at the Painted Horse Bar and Grille (what a cool building!), and later, we  visited Hideaway Pizza and savored some of the most scrumptious pizza I’ve tasted in a while. Oh goodness—the food! But we did split our meals to save room (and spare calories), so there is that.

The next day we ventured on to Pawhuska where we spent the entire day immersed in the culture, quaint shops, and new friends.

It’s impossible to recount everything we did, but suffice it to say, we made the most of our time there.

From a horse-drawn carriage ride to dinner at “The Merc” to perusing all the little shops to pounding the pavement as we scoped out more fun, Julia and I rocked our Oklahoma adventure in true #writersgonewild style. (Yes, we really did hashtag our Instagram shots with that. If you saw me attempting a bookstagram pose hanging outside Julia’s sunroof, you’ll know why. 😉 And this was totally her suggestion. I’m not kidding!)

While visiting The Mercantile, we didn’t spot Ree, but wow, we certainly felt her presence. The general store, bakery, deli and restaurant all mirror her down-home persona and her genuine heart for people.

And can I just tell you that I even enjoyed my trip(s) to the Ladies Room?! Those little purse hooks beside the old-fashioned sinks are pure genius and very much appreciated. Thanks, Ree!

If you decide to visit Pawhuska, here are a few suggestions.

• Wear comfy clothes and great walking shoes
• If it’s hot, you may wish to carry your water bottle
• Ditch the idea of having a good hair day
• Consider allowing more than one day to visit. It’s not enough!

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SHARING IS CARING

 

Sometimes, girls just want to have fun! Check out my recent trip and see what I’ve been up to!

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We’re not effective storytellers if we’re overextended and exhausted. Here’s what I did to water my creative well.

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Writers gone wild? Who knew! Join me for a quick recap of my recent adventure.

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 Need a reading take-along? Her Hope Discovered is just what the doctor ordered!

…And if you enjoy it, I sure would appreciate it if you’d post a book review.

Thanks ever so much! ♥

 

Tell me what you’ve been up to lately! 

What’s your next big adventure?

How do you fill your creative well?

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Until next time…

Much Love and Many Blessings,