Sketches from Washington

Last week I got to take a special trip with my dad and sister. We drove up into Washington and went to two national parks that none of us had been to. In Mt Rainier Park we hiked to Snow Lake, and in Olympic National Park we hiked a couple different trails on Hurricane Ridge. Both of these places were incredible.

At Hurricane Ridge in particular you really feel up VERY HIGH. Like, you look out and see the tops of other mountains, and you feel level with them. I've never felt that high up while on the ground.

For the first park we stayed in Packwood, and for the second we stayed in Sequim (which, for non-locals, is pronounced like squid (with an M) and not like sequin (with an M.)) We had an incredible view of Sequim Bay as well as a friendly neighborhood cat, so I drew the first in my sketchbook and the second on the guestbook.

I have one more writing event coming up before the end of the year, which is that I will be at the Ashland Mystery Festival very soon!! I believe there are still a few tickets left for this intimate, cozy event in the beautiful theatrical town of Ashland. Ashland is tiny and artsy and the festival will kind of take over the little town for the weekend, with so many fun things to do. (Cooking demos with your favorite cozy mystery authors! Mystery dinners! Author tea parties! ETC!)

I'm gonna run a kids' event at the library with fellow author Jennie Englund, as well as doing several other panels and a dinner. I am ALSO gonna see The Importance of Being Earnest at OSF while I'm there, because you can't go to Ashland and not go to some theatre. It's just a rule.

It's turning to fall in Portland, and it's lovely so far! (Yes, and peaceful, quiet, quirky, etc--the terrifying, war-torn hellscape of Portland is just as beautiful and full of long brunch lines as usual.) And I don't want to jinx myself, but I am rather thoroughly deep in the writing of a new novel! More to come.

xo tina