In my recent blog posts, I have shared some highlights from the recent trip my husband and I took to parts of Europe. I have become quite fond of the suitcase on the left. We were barely back from Europe at the beginning of September when I had to start making preparations for a trip to Florida and the NINC (Novelists INC) Conference at St. Petersburg Beach. Is this not a great place to have a conference even though I only made it to the beach for a short walk one morning?
Since I live in Arizona, this involved a cross-country plane ride. A little easier than flying to Europe but still a long day when you lose three hours. I’ve been on dozens of plane trips. Although I’m not a nervous flier, I always say a prayer when we take off. I like the thought of God holding the plane in his hands.
Psalm 104:1-3 (NRSV) shows the power of our God.
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honor and majesty,
wrapped in light as with a garment.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,
you make the clouds your chariot,
you ride on the wings of the wind,
On this particular trip after the conference was over, I drove across the state of Florida to meet my husband who was visiting his aunt. It was a fun drive because it involved very little interstate driving. State highways take a person through small towns and by interesting sights. I stopped to take this photo.
This part of Florida is filled with cattle ranches. Do you think of cattle ranches when you think of Florida?
I’m giving away copies of two Village of Hope books to two people who leave a comment.
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
What a beautiful spot for a conference, Merrillee. I’ve heard great things about NINC. Florida is a lovely state, but much flatter than your great state of Arizona. Thanks for sharing your photos.
I enjoy reading the daily blogs and becoming acquainted with more authors. My husband and I love to explore back roads. To discover America. In SW Michigan it is sad to see the poverty on some back roads. So many people live in inadequate housing. This is a part of America hidden on the interstates.
Merillee, those are some great-looking suitcases! They look very practical. And I’m with you about the back roads. Some of my best ideas come when I’m driving.
Interesting blog. Thanks for sharing your experience. For me it’s always good to know about other cultures and how different or similar we all are. It makes you appreciate life even more.
I have to say – I do not think of cattle ranches when I think of Florida!
Haven’t seen the cattle ranch portion of FL, but I have seen a good bit of AZ and it’s beautiful! I love how God made so many different different landscapes!
We have a quick trip to visit our daughter in college next weekend. I look forward to the amazing vistas though the mountains. God’s creation is amazing :-)!
I love back roads! And, like Kris, I don’t think of Florida as cattle country!
I definetly don’t think of cattle ranches when I think of Florida, especially since I live in Montana. Great pictures.
Great picture, I’ve always loved to travel.
I love to travel. My last flight, I was excited not to have to take off my boots but then I was patted down. I told the woman I really didn’t know her well enough. I live off a country road. When I drive down a back road, I believe I am truly seeing the heart of that area.
I am not one to get on airplanes. I don’t like them at all. Your post was fun to read. You never know what you may see as you travel to other states. I love taking trips to little towns or land filled with beauty.
I love to travel. We really enjoy getting off of the Interstates and exploring the back roads. Back in August I took my first train trip which was a lot of fun. It was so nice to sit back, relax and leave the driving to someone else. It was also fun to see all of the small town train depots. We might take another train trip next summer.
Jill, I learned a lot at NINC. Now I just have to put it into action.
Renate, I’m glad you enjoy the blog posts.
Lee, I like to find solutions to plot problems while I drive.
Kaleen, I agree. That’s why I’m so blessed to have visited all fifty state and numerous foreign countries.
Kris, most people think of beaches and oranges when they think of Florida.
Katy, yes Arizona is an amazing state. There are so many different kinds of terrain to see.
Diane, have a wonderful trip. That’s one of the cool things about traveling is seeing God’s creation.
Valerie, someone told me that Florida has one of the largest cattle ranches in the country.
Beth, I used to live in Billings when I was a kid. One of my books, MONTANA MATCH, is set in that region of Montana. There are lots of cowboys there.
Linda, traveling is fun and it opens up new worlds.
Patti, that’s too funny that you didn’t have to take off your shoes, but they patted you down. I got pre-check both going and coming this time. I love it when I don’t have to take off my shoes and grapple with my computer.
Deana, out-of-the-way places are sometimes the most interesting.
Nancy, train trips are nice. Most of my train travel in the US has been on commuter trains which are only short trips. When we visited Alaska we took a train from Denali to Anchorage. This summer when we were in Europe we did a lot of our travel by train. It is nice to let someone else do the driving.
I am so glad I found this blog. Thanks for the fun and inspiring posts. I have done a lot of travelling, including working as a medical missionary in Africa and the Caribbean. It’s always such an adventure.
Sharon, how wonderful that you have been a medical missionary! Thank you for the work you have done.
What a beautiful location for your conference. I enjoy walking along a beach at sunset and sunrise. It is so peaceful and I find myself praying for those I know as I walk.
As the other ladies have mentioned, I did not think of Florida as a cattle ranch state.
Like you, I enjoy traveling the back roads instead of the interstate. I have seen so many interesting sites. I especially like to visit historical locations. The last place I visited in the United States was Boone’s Salt Lick north of Booneville, Missouri. In Germany It was the concentration camp Bergen Belsen.
No need to enter me, Merrillee since I have both books in the Village of Hope series! But I wanted to chime in on this post. I think it’s funny to see cows in Florida, not a picture I imagined! When I think of Florida, I think white sand beaches, crystal clear waters & waterfront resorts catering to many tourists. Not to mention the heat!
I love the Psalm you have for your takeoff prayer, I bet that it’s very comforting to you. I’ve only flown a few times in my life, but I’ve always imagined the plane in the palms of God & how He holds it up. :-) I’ll have to remember this Psalm, it fits so perfectly!
Thanks for sharing about your recent trip both to Europe and the NINC conference. You are a well traveled person (your hubby too!)
kda, you are so right about walking the beach at sunrise and sunset. When we lived in FL, I used to walk the beach many days. It was a great place to pray.
Trixi, I am blessed to have traveled to so many places.
Merrillee, what a stunning location for a writing conference! I’d love to visit Florida :)
I just did a European trip this summer as well. One of my favorite places – Haarlem Netherlands and the tulip fields… Absolutely amazing!