travel & turning points

In 2001, my husband and I drove the length of Baja California and back (that's Tom in the chair). This is Playa Santispac, an a gorgous bay on the Sea of Cortez side of Baja. The beach had a restaurant that started cooking after the fishermen arrived with that day's catch. It's one of the best meals I can remember.

We camped here and at some unknown beach a few days away. That time we drove down a sandy road and eventually found a man sitting under a palapa in his front yard. We traded him a couple of beers for a night camping at his beach. We were visited by crabs and cows that night, but it felt like were the only humans in the universe.

 

We lived in El Paso at the time but wanted to move to California. I had applied for a job as the Executive Director at the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce before we left. Back in this time before smartphones, I checked my email at a hotel in Loreto, several days farther down the coast. I had an email asking me to call to set up an interview, so I found a payphone and made the international call. We finished our trip cutting off a couple of days on the backend to travel to Los Angeles for the interview.

 

I ended up getting that job, and it was one of my favorites. You never know where you'll be when that call comes. I've also learned that all of these life experiences and pivots have contributed to my novels. Driving the long, windy roads of Mexico - check. Running a community organization - check. Doing it all with my best friend - check. I can't wait to see what's next.

something for you

If you're familiar with my newsletters, you know I love to travel. I especially love travel stories that are life-changing, whether because of something you learn on that trip or because it's when you get that special call. I'd love to hear your travel stories.

 

Email me about a special trip you took. I'll pick two winners and send you each a signed copy of my new novel, El Diablo. Just click here or reply to this email.

book recommendation

If you haven't read a book by Atul Gawande, I highly recommend it. He's a physician with an easily read style whose nonfiction books deal with important topics. This book covers how we should and do deal with aging. My book club read this one, and our discussion was deep and personal as we discussed our parents getting older as well as our hopes and fears for our own later years.

Happy Travels: Norway

Haven't received your copy of the novella La Paloma, Tequila Midnight's prequel? Download it by clicking here.

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