In my last post, I wrote about the writing retreat/momcation I took at the end of March at Costanoa Lodge, an eco adventure resort in Pescadero, CA. Following is the second half of that post. Ta da!
My tent bungalow had real glass windows and a lock on the flimsy door, but anyone who really wants to could tear right through the white tarp walls. Because this is glamping, I trusted in my fellow campers being people of high moral values. I was not disappointed—but I was also lucky. A week later, some friends stayed at Costanoa, and their car was burgled. It didn't happen on the property but at one of the nearby beaches. Lesson learned: Always be careful. Maybe it’s the city gal in me, but I’m obsessive about hiding any objects a burglar might consider fair game, even if it’s an empty lunch bag. When I’d leave the bungalow, even just to use the comfort station (aka bathroom, which was pretty nice with a dry sauna—no I didn't try it), I’d lock my door. After all, my precious laptop and electric kettle were in there! And if I went out for a few hours, I'd first shut all the curtains. I went to Costanoa with a goal in mind: to finish another round of edits on a novel manuscript, which involved a lot of new writing for the ending. And I did it! With that task accomplished, I had the time, energy, and inspiration to work on another project that’s been back burnered—the second installment of a chapter book series. It’s kind of astonishing, actually, how much writing I got done—a bit in the morning, some in the afternoon, and into the evening. That would not have happened at home. Maybe an hour a day if I was lucky, even without my family around, just because of life's pesky distractions. Slave to a schedule? No way. I took plenty of breaks, including a couple of hikes, one in the dunes to a nearby beach, and the other around Whitehouse Canyon and Ohlone Ridge, which are on the resort's property. I even encountered a young mountain lion, a true “holy shite!” moment I’ll never forget. Sadly, I did not snap a picture—I was too focused on not getting eaten by it. I did turn on my Alabama Shakes, wave my arms, and hoot and holler to "scare" it off. For food, I brought a cooler with breakfast fixings and bought a few things from the General Store (more gift shop than grocery) and the market in town. I drove to my favorite Pescadero restaurant, Duarte’s Tavern, for their signature mix of Cream of Artichoke and Green Chile Soup. I also tried out Costanoa's restaurant, the Cascade Bar & Grill, treating myself to a cheeseburger and champagne. This was post–mountain lion, so I really deserved it. Did I do any reading? You bet I did. And yes, I also binge-watched season one of Jane the Virgin (so good!), staying up into the wee hours. It’s okay though because I could sleep in! Whenever I started to tire of whatever it was I was doing, I’d ask myself, what do I want right now? To eat? Read? Write? Go for a walk? And then I’d answer honestly and do that thing without putting something before it—some chore or errand or excuse. Now I’m like Soul II Soul—back to life, back to reality, with all of its priorities and distractions. Yet I got a lot out of my three nights away—more focused on my writing goals. More present for my family. And definitely all around rejuvenated.
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About Olivia
I'm the author of two novels, Year of the Smoke Girl and The Flower Bowl Spell. My stories have been published in anthologies and lit mags. I'm currently working on a chapter book series, a middle-grade novel, and I've posted an award-winning novel, Hearts & Minds, to Wattpad, which is free to read! Archives
December 2020
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