If you could take a trip with your best friends and money were no option, where would you go and why?
Answer this question in the comments, and you’ll be entered in the drawing for a $10 Amazon e-gift card. Drawing ends on Friday at midnight. Winner will be announced in next week’s post.
(My Answer: If money is no option, I’m heading to Hawaii. But as I discovered 10 days ago, I can be cooped up in a hotel, surrounded by the DFW airport, and still have fun. My experience at the American Christian Fiction Writers conference was fantastic. I averaged 4.5 hours of sleep because I didn’t want to miss a moment with my friends, but it was totally worth it. In addition to connecting and learning more about the industry, I came away with a greater sense of God’s presence. The weekend was a writing conference and spiritual retreat all wrapped in one.)
For those who like pictures, here you go!
My fantastic roomie, Keli Gwyn
My critique partner, Krista Phillips, with her debut novel!
Katie Ganshert and my other critique partner, Jeannie Campbell. Love to laugh with these ladies!
The fabulous and funny Jill Kemerer
Lindsay Harrel (Isn’t she gorgeous?!)
Super-sweet agentmate, Cynthia Herron (Don’t you love Jessica Patch’s face in the background? 
)
Courtney Walsh – I loved hanging out with this lady.
My long-lost twin, Ashley Clark. Apparently my face + Ashley’s voice = Twilight actress Anna Kendrick. We’re still figuring out how to capitalize on this.
Pepper Basham, who just signed with Agent of the Year Nicole Resciniti. Woohoo! Congrats, Pepper!
*The winner of last week’s Rachael Phillips giveaways are Jessica Nelson (Cedar Creek Seasons) and Judy (Greatest Show on Earth)! I’ll contact you this week with details.
I’d sail around the world , in style, and keep on going.
I love it, Mary. Why would it need to end, right?
I think the best vacation would be one where all of us could be together. My best friends and I are currently living in 3 different states and 2 different countries. Coordinating 6 different schedules and that many locations is definitely a challenge! It wouldn’t matter where we are as long as we could spend time together!
I know exactly what you mean, Debbie. I think that’s why the writers conference is great no matter where it is. The likelihood of getting that many friends in one place on my own would be impossible.
First of all I love the pics! You’re a little eensy, beensy thing–cute as a button!
Not trying to be a copycat here, but I have wanted to go to Hawaii ever since I was a little girl, and got it in my head somehow that pineapple juice came out of the water fountains there instead of water. My sis-in-law was born in Hawaii and visits all the time, and she thinks that is just the funniest thing! Kinda hurt when I found out it wasn’t true….sorta like when I heard Santa wasn’t real…only not that bad! That was devastation time–no Santa!
LOL, Diana, I love the pineapple juice story. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?!
New Zealand or Belize or heck, CA with you in say, one week!
~ Wendy
Oh my word, Wendy, I’m countin’ down…
Looks like you had a great time! Thanks for sharing the pics. It was nice to see everyone.
I would travel to WY – the Grand Tetons and general area. That would be a fun trip. Happy Monday!
That’s an area I’ve never visited, Karen. I’m hoping to get there someday with my family.
Australia — I’m heading to the real Outback, not the restaurant (which my family loves to go to, by the way!)
Thanks for another glimpse at ACFW. Love the photo-bomb of Jessica Patch. And I had no idea you were lucky enough to room with Keli Gwyn. It was great to see you again — and thanks for the advice on workout clothes.
Yes, Beth, I have a feeling the real Outback is nothing like the restaurant.
And workout-gear advice is always free here. I’ll make sure to follow my own advice next week.
Ooh, ooh, I’d totally start in London and visit British friends and then go all over Europe. Ahhh, fun. And now I’m dreaming it.
Loved the ACFW photos. I think I’m still on the high from conference…so, so good.
I can totally see you living it up in Europe, Melissa. Man, you guys are all coming up with great locations. Now I might have to change my mind…
I am just a reader, but would LOVE to attend an ACFW conference and meet all you wonderful authors! And see books, books…..I always enjoy the pictures of conferences!
Jackie Smith
Oh Jackie, We would love to see you at a conference! And the bookstore they have there….seriously drool-worthy.
I would go to Ireland to find my mom’s brother and other family members. And while there visit all of the castles and old churches.
Oohhh, Amy, I might have to change my mind again. Irish castles sound fantastic.
Fun pics, Sarah!
I’d definitely head to Italy. It’s my “I’m not going to die before I see that place” place.
LOL, Heidi, We’ve all gotta have a place like that. Except, I wonder if there’s a shorter title out there…
I’d travel with my parents to Israel, since I know they would love to see the Biblical sites.
On the other hand, I would go on a Europe tour with my siblings (and parents too). It’s our big dream to travel there.
Israel would be amazing, Jemimah. I think it would be surreal to walk the same streets Jesus walked.
Sarah! Your caption on our pic makes me blush. You are the sweetest and I’m soooo glad we finally got to meet.
Hmmm. I’m really stumped by your question, but I do think somewhere on some beach would be amazing. But I’d have just as much fun nestled in a cabin somewhere talking writing and watching chick flicks.
Oohhh, writing and chick flicks. I love it, Lindsay. Toss in a little chocolate and coffee and it sounds like heaven.
i would travel to europe for sure….scotland, ireland, italy are just a few i’d want to hit.
love the pics! so great seeing you!
You too, Jeannie! I’m getting all sniffly seeing the pictures again.
Oooh, yay, I won!!!
I don’t know about the traveling…there’s so many places!!! Maybe I’d take a European cruise or tour so I could hit them all up at once. *grin* Love the pics!!
We have a lot of Europe votes, Jessica. You might just have your travel crew right here on this blog.
Great photos! I’m with you. I could go anywhere as long as the ACFW crew was with me.
Amen, Julie!
We’d definitely go to Australia!!! Eventually I’ll go there!
Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right, Liz?
Great pics! I missed seeing you this year!
A retreat with friends? Oh, my idea of fun probably changes from one day to the next, but….today, I think a mountain retreat would be ideal. Somewhere with lots of trees, an amazing hotel room, and a spa!
I missed you too, Cindy! Maybe next year??
Great pics! I’m glad the conference refreshed and encouraged you.
I’d love to travel to every state in the union and meet up with all my blogger friends.
Oohhh, I love your answer, Susan! That could take months, but what a fun trip!
I’d head for Paris. We once spent 2 days there … it definitely was not enough for all that we wanted to see. So I’d plan an extended stay and explore everything!
I so love your attitude that you can be cooped up in a hotel and still have a great time. In reality, anyplace can be wonderful if we just choose to see it as such.
Isn’t Paris beautiful? I went there for a long weekend a couple years ago, but I agree…even four days wasn’t enough. I rushed around to see everything and ended up exhausted by the end.
I don’t really enjoy traveling, so I’d rent some cabins up at a Lake Tahoe and fly all my friends out here so they could experience the beauty of this gem of the Sierras and I could enjoy their wonderful company. And of course, I’d have all the meals catered, luxury limos at my guests’ disposal, and an endless supply of chocolate and coffee for those who consume. =)
Count me in, Keli! I’ve never been to Lake Tahoe, but I’ve heard it’s gorgeous. And if you’re offering catered meals, limos, and chocolate and coffee? I’m so there.
Definitely go to Canada! There are some beautiful lakes there that would be beautiful to explore. Great pictures.
What a great idea! Some of the most beautiful places are closer than we think.
Greece! We went their for our honeymoon and I would love to go back!
Oh wow, Stephanie, I might be [slightly] jealous of your honeymoon destination.
Love the pictures! Thanks for sharing them. Looks like you had a wonderful time!
I would go Austria.
It was a great time, Loree. Hopefully I’ll get to see you at a conference in the future!
I’m glad you had a good time at the conference!
I would go to Germany because I speak some German and I would love to go skiing in the Alps.
Oh wow, Marissa, I’m impressed you speak German. The only thing I know is “Guten morgen”. Which does me no good after 11am.
Love the pictures, Sarah! You’re so gorgeous.
Well, I have to say Germany.
Can’t wait to see where my hubs grew up!
Aw thanks, Melanie. I missed you so much this year. Can’t wait to hear about your adventures in Germany!
Another trip to Italy followed by a week in Greece, for sure. Or maybe a tour down central America: beaching it in Belize, surfing in Nicaragua, then ziplining in Costa Rica. Of course, I might choose to just go to Fiji and never come back. Decisions, decisions….
Loved the ACFW pics!
Oh man, Kathy, I like the sound of all those places! I’ve heard zip lining in Costa Rica is fantastic, so I might be swayed there.
Glad to see you had fun on your trips! You look so happy in all of your pictures
If I could go anywhere, I would go to Greece. My best friend is Greek and I love Greek food- not to mention all the beautiful ruins and history that is there!
Oh my goodness, Jea, the love of Greek food…..Yummo! I love it all….Feta cheese, olives, tomatoes, olive oil…..Have I said yum yet?
This is a good question. My friend and I will go to Japan.
We like Japan’s culture. and to see cherry bloom in spring.
How much fun to see these pics at ACFW! You are so darling! I hope you enjoyed your time there, it sure looks like you did.
love all of your pictures sarah…
my dream vacation would be charleston, sc