Thursday, July 12, 2018

At the Lake With Two MIT Dudes by Vonnie Davis #vacation #inovermyhead #greattimes

I'm back home from a week at Lake Marion in Santee, SC. As I mentioned in my last post, Mike, my baby boy (tongue in cheek here), and his wife Tina decided Kelly, his wife Katrin, and I should travel with them for some relaxation after the Celebration of Life for Calvin.

They rented a large SUV that hauled seven--Mike, Tina, Kelly, Katrin, Ryan, me, and Ryan's five-foot telescope to set up on Ron and Debbie's dock.

Ryan positioning his telescope for best night-time viewing.

Oh, and let's not forget packing in everyone's luggage plus Ryan's three laptops, guitar, trumpet, and Kelly's two laptops. The ride down was like MIT on wheels. Kelly did his undergrad degree there. and Ryan is halfway to his undergrad degree in Computer Engineering with a minor in Music technology. As the ride progressed my mind swirled with conversations about bitcoins, string theory, writing computer code, and Kelly's expertise at Mozilla--artificial intelligence. In rapid-fire communication, the two moved onto deep-brain thinking. What the heck is that and where do I learn how to do it?

Calvin would have been right at home. Me? I was in over my head and I'd yet to reach the lake. When I did, some adult beverages would most definitely be in order to clear my mind.

At a local Mexican restaurant--Tina's Dad, Ron, Mike (aka Baby Boy), and Margarita Momma
(note dazed and confused look from ride to Lake Marion). 

The days were filled with zipping up and down three lakes connected by channels in Ron's new boat or walking through historic Charleston just an hour away. Nights brought star and planet gazing. I saw Venus and Mercury. Ryan would play on the trumpet as we sat on the dock. Neighbors in this gated community would cheer and applaud. 

AND I woke up  one morning with a series idea! One that involved a book I've slowly been working on. Getting away and seeing new things really does help the creative bent of the mind. Mine had been in a tight knot of grief. Evidently it's starting to loosen.

I'm hoping my next trip will waken the Muse. Two weeks from now I'll be in Paris. Calvin had told me several times before he got so sick that he wanted some of his ashes sprinkled in a green space in front of 21 rue Galande. He'd lived there for almost a year while on sabbatical in a fourth floor apartment. Kelly thought it was a perfect idea. He's flying in from Berlin so we can do it together. Here's a picture of Calvin in front of the building, reminiscing.


I'm staying in Paris for a week. Since this will probably be my last trip there, I have a few art galleries I want to meander through.  Once I leave there, I'm flying to  Edinburgh, Scotland. After writing six books set there, I figure it's about time I got a look at the country. All my research has been done online or in travel books. Finally, I'll get to see the real thing. I've got day trips booked for the Highlands, a whisky distillery with a wee bit o' tastin', and Loch Ness. If my energy holds up, I want to take a train ride to Glasgow and check it out. Aaaaad a day at the Highland Games where guys in kilts do "manly stuff." Mainly because a woman would have more sense.


Since Edinburgh is home of the deep-fried Mars Bars, I'll be forced--forced, mind you--to eat a couple. All the while, I'll be soaking up sights, customs, and local color for future bear shifter books. Och, aye.


To read more about my writing, go to www.vonniedavis.com or follow me on Facebook. Vonnie Davis is the name...writing is my game.

20 comments:

Leah St. James said...

South Carolina sounds wonderful, Vonnie, every bit, even the confusing ones. :-) (I would have been there with you, mind swirling.) So glad your muses are beginning to waken. The trip to Paris sounds perfect, as does the trip to Scotland! I can't wait to read all about them!

Margo Hoornstra said...

What a great celebration of life you had. What a great, great family you have. Your trip sounds absolutely fantastic. Um...how many Mars Bars do you think you could fit in your luggage for the trip home? Just asking. Enjoy your upcoming trip, and do report back.

Margo Hoornstra said...

I forgot. My oldest grandson and only brother sat up late one night at my house discussing the string theory. I kept up with the conversation for about two seconds. Go me?

Brenda Whiteside said...

Vonnie, you had such a wonderful trip and more to come. Love hearing about the travel. Take me with you!

Jannine Gallant said...

I'm so happy to hear you had a wonderful time on your trip. And that your creative muse is on the mend. Looking forward to hearing about your Paris/Scotland adventures!

Rolynn Anderson said...

You had me at fried Mars bars. Fried ice cream is still a puzzle. Bitcoins are a beyond understanding. But you produced your big brained sons, so you are brainy, too. I'm so glad you had a good time Vonnie; gazing at stars and listening to trumpet music in the night...perfect. I am so excited for you about your trip to Europe...what a great itinerary. Stories will come flying out of your head, fully formed! Thanks for the pics of the family...generations having fun together. All's right with the world.

Andrea Downing said...

Sounds like you had a wonderful vacation and have another one planned Try and (not) behave yourself out in Scotland. That photo is a bummer—they don’t usually have anything on underneath

Alison Henderson said...

That trip to the lake would have had my head spinning, too, but what a wonderful, fascinating family you have! I'm so glad your healing process has started with a burst of creative thinking. Your trip to Paris and Edinburgh sounds perfect. Best wishes and bon voyage!

remullins said...

Sounds like a wonderful and restorative time. Good.

Vonnie Davis said...

Leah, I'm sure there will be stories to tell. Calvin used to say I never missed a thing. I found pleasure in every detail when we traveled. It's the odd details I remember. Maybe because my mind is a little odd? Oh, let's not go there. :-)

Vonnie Davis said...

The idea of a fried candy bar just appeals to me, Margo. Since I normally don't eat fried foods, lets hope it appeals to my stomach. I don't want to be in Scotland stuck in the loo.

Vonnie Davis said...

Brenda, I'd love to take you along but I have a history of losing things when I travel. Like my luggage. I'd be afraid I'd lose you! My oldest son, who does security work for the Redskins and rock stars at concerts in the DC and Baltimore metro area, told me "world famous authors should have a bodyguard to keep the crowds away at airports and restaurants." I laughed. "Who's world famous? Certainly not I."

Vonnie Davis said...

Thanks, Jannine. My Muse was grieving, too. Calvin was so much a part of my writing. I was always asking, "What's a stronger word for this or that?" He'd tell me to give him a minute and then he'd fire back some possibilities. I miss that easy interaction.

Vonnie Davis said...

Rolynn, I'm very lucky to have such a close relationship with Mike and his wife. We ate dinner one day at a restaurant along the marina in Charleston. Our waitress smelled so good and I remarked on it. She told me the name of her perfume and within a minute my DIL had ordered me a bottle online. It was waiting for me when we got home. It's called Dark Sin. What a title for a book!

Vonnie Davis said...

Don't worry, Andrea, I might have to accidently hike a few kilts as I stroll along. LOL

Vonnie Davis said...

Alison, I kept thinking about a conversation with Calvin earlier this year. He told me if he passed first, he wanted me to enjoy life. So, with his blessing, I'm trying to move forward. But I miss turning to him and asking if he saw that.

Vonnie Davis said...

It was wonderful, R.E. My grandson and I had long talks which was awesome. He was born on my 50th birthday. What a sweet gift.

Angela Adams said...

Vonnie, While reading your post and looking at the photos, I'm thinking to myself, "there are a lot of stories here."

Vonnie Davis said...

You're right, Angela. I hope a few come into my mind with characters that scream for their story to be told. LOL

Diane Burton said...

What a marvelous trip, Vonnie. And to think you got a series idea out of it, too! Wow! Your trip to Paris sounds wonderful. I envy you the trip to Scotland. Do you have room for me in your luggage??? :)