Yes I really do own pink lugggage. My sons bought it for me for Christmas and I love it. No more searching the carousel at the airport to see if the luggage is mine or not. There are very few of us who carry pink luggage.

I'm so excited because two weeks from right now I will be landing in San Antonio airport for five days of Texas fun. My husband and youngest son will be traveling with me and we are going to relax on a dude ranch in Bandera, Texas for three days before traveling into San Antonio for the annual Merritt Conference hosted by my crazy friends from the San Antonio Romance Authors group.

Anyone who knows me knows I have this weird affection for Texas and in particular the Hill Country. I can't wait to get back there and get on a horse and ride out. There is nothing like that feeling in the world. This is my husband and son's first trip to my favorite State and I'm eager to show them all the native plants like paddle cactus and the ranches and of course the Riverwalk and the Alamo.

This Texas trip is one half of our vacation this year; the other half will be five days in Washington DC during the RWA conference. Hubby and son will tag along for that one as well and my oldest son will be comign too. He's going to check out law schools. We all love DC; such a neat place to visit. The museums are all free and there is nothing like walking into the Library of Congress. As an author to stand amidst that kind of history, the writings, the books, etc. is truly a spiritual experience. I urge anyone who is heading to DC this summer to take an extra day so you can do the sightseeing thing; its well worth it.

For the writers in us, its impossible to not take a vacation anywhere and not get inspired. Going somewhere new, getting out of your routine helps the creative juices flow more steadily. I've written some amazing stories while I was away from home. Something about stepping out of you routine brings out the muse in all of us.

Enjoy.

Roni