Writers spend a lot of time staring at a computer screen. Waaaaaaay too much time. We research on the internet, we write, we edit, we network, and then we write some more.
It’s good for us to get out in the sunlight once in awhile.
This week, I’ve traveled from my home in Oregon up to Port Angeles, Washington to visit the setting for my new novel (in progress), First Impressions. This story has grown from pieces of an old family story in which my grandfather (and other Port Angeles residents) crossed the treacherous waters of the Strait of Juan de Fuca in rowboats to buy Canadian whiskey. From this image, a story has grown–the bootleggers, their families, the federal agents…such a fun story to write!
So this week, with the help of my family, I’m walking the beaches in Port Angeles, visiting the local museum, taking walking tours and best of all–getting away from my computer. Well, except for right now, of course!
These photos are taken on the shore at Freshwater Bay, just west of Port Angeles. This is where we think the rum-runners typically landed their boats.The land you can see in the distance is Vancouver Island, British Columbia. Victoria is approximately 20 miles across the Straits.
It’s considered a dangerous trip for a motorboat because of the changing tides, weather conditions and busy shipping lanes. I can’t imagine making the crossing in the 1920s. In a rowboat. At night. Yikes!
I found it ironic that I stumbled over a discarded whiskey bottle on the beach. Obviously, it’s NOT prohibition-era–but it does show that even though times have changed…other things haven’t.
In a few days, I’ll wave good-bye to the beach and trudge back to my computer. I can’t wait to see this story leaping off the page. Or at least off of my computer screen.