FaithWriters 2013 Conference is planned!

[Gentle1]

I meant to say "the 2013 FW Conference"!! Anyway, my husband says I can definitely attend!!

I am soooooooooooooooooooooooo EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I've never been to a conference before, and I will look forward to it eagerly for the next several months.

Myrna

[itsjoanne]

YYYAAAYYY Myrna! SO exciting!!

[srashmi]

Putting this on my calendar.

[itsjoanne]

Ohh Seema - would LOVE to meet you face to face. Praying it works out at my end (and yours!)

[Sparrow]

So exciting that it'll work out for so many, and hope Jo and the rest who aren't sure can make it. Myrna, registration will be somewhere around $100 for Friday night and all day Saturday meetings/workshops, and the cost includes Saturday breakfast and lunch.

[Gentle1]

Thanks, Amy, for the registration cost info. I'm definitely "in" and excited!!

Myrna

[Sparrow]

Looking forward to meeting you!

[Christine Ramey]

Amy

How many site seeing things are you planning? I'm just wondering for how long to plan to stay because as you know. . .I don't have any major plans. I love doing that kind of stuff the only concern I have in doing site seeing is I can't do a lot of walking because of my arthritis. So I'm hoping you are taking that in to consideration when planning for folks like me that can't do all of that walking. Just saying to keep that in mind.

Also for the Florida trip. . .there is a lot to do in the Disney area. So much to see and do. Just know that when planning you need to have a lot of money to go to those places. Some of the fees are ridiculous there.

Like the Holy Land that is there is almost $50 or it may be more now. There isn't a lot to see there more history type of stuff from what I remember when I went. But a lot of dinner show type stuff is available in that area too. It's only a few hours away from me.

[WriterFearNot]

Living in Southern California, I get to see the ocean often, but I'd love to see what it looks like along the Oregon coast. I am so excited about the Oregon conference!

I'm considering making it a family vactation. I've been a foot past the border of California and Oregon, but that's it, and we have not gone as a family. So writers and conference veterens out there, tell me, is this advisable? Is it reasonable for me to assume I can take my family with me, we'll spend a few days together, then they can wander off while I attend the conference?

Theresa

[JesusPuppy]

Bring them along. There is enough to occupy them while you do the conference, and more to do before and after as a family. And the Oregon coast is definately better than Cali, except for the sunshine, but we do get sun in the summer.... sometimes.

[WriterFearNot]

Thanks for the advice, Jesus Puppy! I just may take it.

[Sparrow]

For sightseeing, I'm open to other options or timeframes but currently I'm thinking maybe something along these lines. (Check out one of the past posts for more details about each of these sites.)

Friday afternoon before conference: Fort Vancouver (walking required between buildings, but lots of benches and chairs scattered all around)

Sunday afternoon: Drive along the Columbia River Gorge to get to Multnomah Falls. (the beauty of the falls can be enjoyed from the ground, and there is a lovely bridge over the bottom level of the falls about one flight of stairs or less upwards. It's mesmerizing to lean over the rail and just watch the water fall. For those who do want to hike, there is a trail all the way to the top, but it is quite a hike!)

Monday morning: Mt. St. Helens Observatory

For those wanting to go to the Oregon or Washington coast, I'd advise adding several days before or after the trip and staying a few days right on the beach. My brother-in-law's family owns a vacation house a couple blocks off my favorite beach, Rockaway, Oregon. I think it can sleep something like 10 people. We may be able to rent if for a small fee and have a group there, though we'd have to allow time to clean it after leaving. Rockaway doesn't have much in the way of touristy stuff, but it's a beautiful sandy beach that is never busy even in peak times. There are touristy towns within a half hour drive or so, such as Tillamook to the south, which has a cheese factory you can tour and scenic train and such. Cannon Beach to the north has an amazing Haystack rock with tide pools that are full of the most amazingly colorful starfish and anemones, plus barnacles that are way more alive and cool than I'd ever realized.


Pacific Beach warning! Contrary to the name, the Pacific ocean is very rough and requires awareness and caution. Though they aren't frequent, there are sneaker waves (large, strong waves that suddenly come waist-high far onto the beach up much farther than previous waves) and there can be a strong undertow--a current near the bottom that sucks out to sea. Those two combined especially can be scary. Don't swim out too far and make sure to use the buddy system and keep young kids fairly close, and don't keep your back to the ocean for long periods.

Also, even in summer the water is still very cold. I never swim in it, but do enjoy wading out above my knees in warmer times. It's common to see people wearing shorts and sweatshirts.

Don't let this scare you. I grew up playing on the beach and bring my young nieces there often. Just be aware of what the ocean is doing and aware of where your friends are.

[Christine Ramey]

Amy,

I'm thinking of staying for a week long period. Just because I need it. But I'm wondering as it would fall over the fourth of July is there anything interesting to do there that I may not have to do here in Florida?

I'd love to venture out a little but want to keep my cost down too. Just need some time away so I'm looking forward to it. I just have to worry about the walking distance as well but if I have lots of spaces to sit down at and I'm not in a hurry it might be okay. I'll know what can or can't do. So I'm okay with that I just don't want to spoil anyone else's fun.

[Allison]

I should be able to make the conference, but now, with having to take medical leave Feb. to May, I'm not sure I'll be able to spare any extra days. The good news, though, is I WILL have enough leave from work to cover my entire medical leave period, which means I'll be accumulating more leave while I'm on leave (sounds odd, I know) and will have enough for Friday for the conference. Though I'm not going to purchase my plane ticket until I know for sure how much time I can take, obviously.

[Sparrow]

Glad you'll be able to at least make it to the conference, Allison.

Christine, I have mobility issues too, so we can always sit and chat while others are being more active.

There is a cool 4th tradition, actually at the above-mentioned Fort Vancouver. They have the biggest fireworks display west of the Mississippi, with concerts and such before it. They set the fireworks off from a boat in the middle of the Columbia River, so it's extra pretty with the water reflections. It does cost to get in, but sometimes my family will bring blankets and go sit on a hill nearby outside the park and just watch for free from a distance.