2015 Year of Firsts – 2016 What’s Next
After Christmas is done and all the decorations are put away, it’s time for reflection. What was accomplished in 2015? What will 2016 bring?
For me, 2015 was a year of firsts. My debut novel, A Demon’s Witch, came out on September 25, 2015. I dared to dream of becoming a published author since I was young, and through dedication and determination made it happen. The feeling was beyond description to hold my creation in hand and have people enjoy reading it, well — it’s fantastic. I have to admit the promotion side of the business had a steep learning curve.
First interviews on blog sites for both me and my characters were nerve racking. What to say, how to say it and would people like my book? Thunder clap campaign was an experience all its own, thought it brought much needed name recognition.
Participating in my first Facebook Party after the release of A Demon’s Witch was overwhelming, but exhilarating at the same time. Learning to create my website was fun, but ramping it up to promote my books was interesting to say the least. January 9, 2016, will be my second Facebook Party a release party for a fellow author, Mary Morgan and promotion for my second release, Charm Me. I’m ready. Please feel free to join several well-known authors and myself.
Now let’s talk about a first author’s newsletter. I chose Mail Chimp as my provider, but that nasty learning curve rose up and slapped me upside the head, AGAIN. Just type the info in the boxes. Right? All kinds of wrong, arrange the boxes, add the art work, then the content. After blood, sweat and tears, in the end, I won and produced a newsletter my readers enjoyed. Whew!
Whats next for 2016? I’m glad you asked. Charm Me has a release date of January 6, 2016 and A Witch’s Journey will be out later this year. I have work in progress that I hope to submit, one is the second book in the Demon’s Witch series, the other a fun Christmas novel. I continue to strive to reach my goal of 5000- 7,000 words a week, which I met in 2015. Spend quality time with my family and friends, take long 
walks with my dog and more play-time with my parrot. Camping is high on my list of priorities, I’m in the process of making reservations for my family’s favorite camping spots.
How was your 2015? Did it meet your expectations? What about 2016? Any resolutions, changes you want to make, plans or vacations you want to take or do? Please leave a comments as to what you are looking forward to in 2016!
Wishing you a safe, heath, prosperous and Happy New Year!
Next we tackle camping plans and making reservations for the summer. See you then.
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Posted in Camping, Food for Thought, For Fun, My Say What Blog and tagged 2015, 2016, A Demon's Witch, camping, Charm Me, goals, New Year Resolutions, novels by Tena Stetler with comments disabled.
Vacation Destination – Monterey Bay, California
Point Pinos Light House
The first RV trip of the season took us to Northern California, wine country for a family reunion. I was shocked to see how brown California is from the several year drought they’ve suffered. What struggle that state is facing. Then it was out to the coast of Monterey Bay and the aquarium. The ocean breeze and moderate temperatures were refreshing. To finish the trip, it was north to Wyoming visiting friends and their parrots. After two weeks we were homeward bound, exhausted but content. When did vacations become so much work?
Monterey Bay, just typing the name makes me feel all relaxed, cool and misty. Surprisingly, this year I saw more sun and 70’s than mist and 60’s. Even sat outside around the campfire a few times enjoying s’mors, good friends and hot chocolate. The Marina Dunes RV Park in Marina was a great place with wonderful people and only a 10 minute walk to the beach.
The weather was a welcome change from the so wet, I can’t get my garden planted, to the cold so forget the garden altogether of Colorado. But I have to admit on our road trip to California through Wyoming, Utah and Colorado were the greenest I have ever seen. The down side was a foot tall lawn, but it was green and three foot high weeds upon our return to Colorado.
Octopus Click out the Octopus clip to the left.
But I digress; the Monterey Bay Aquarium was fantastic as always. I could spend weeks there, rather than a day. Guess it’s a good thing I don’t 
live in Monterey, I’d get nothing done but visit the aquarium and walk the beaches with the family Chow Chow on lead and parrot in her back pack pet carrier. And maybe, just maybe, if I lived there, I would finally get to tour the Point Pinos Light House. Over the years we have been too late, too early, wrong day, wrong season…well you get the picture and this year was no different. One of these days, I’m going to get it right. LOL
Next time, kayaking the bay behind the aquarium will be on the agenda. It looks like so much fun and lets you get 
up close to the inhabitants of the area. No, not to close as in to disturb them, just a good look with great photo opportunities.
A few blocks from the aquarium, an ocean front Mexican Restaurant was our food stop more than once. In a window seat, I watched the seals and otters frolic in the waves then crawl up on a rock to sun themselves. Sitting on the rocks, gulls protected their nest from interlopers and took turns soaring over the ocean to grab a bite to eat.
Ocean View Blvd from Cannery Row around the point to Sunset Drive are where my husband and I found the greatest tide pools, teaming with sea creatures. Okay, I admit it had to check an app on my phone for high and low tide times to avoid being drenched by those sneaky waves rolling in. Or worse yet, have my feet swept out from underneath me and landing in a tide pool; you can bet, there would be a lot of disgruntled sea creatures. When I was a kid, I knew that stuff by heart and didn’t need it in land locked Colorado.
The next adventure closer to home will find us in Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado, another longtime favorite. Ever been to Twin Lakes in Colorado? We are headed there also, check back for pictures. Until then happy camping!
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My Definition of Recreation is Camping and Hiking
The Dog Days of Summer are upon us, but there is still plenty of camping and hiking opportunities abound. So stock the RV full of food and supplies, or pack that tent and hit the road. In our case, we hit the road with a dog, parrot and 40-year-old box turtle in tow.
Steamboat Lake Sunset
Recreational opportunities abound in Colorado. Exciting state and national parks, national forests and private camping areas are sprinkled over the state. Among our favorites are Rocky Mountain National Park for its wildlife and natural beauty, Steamboat and Pearl Lake for kayaking and aquatic wildlife, Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve for hiking and Lost Burro in Cripple Creek for relaxing and a bit of easy hiking.
We encountered the mother of all lightning storms in Sand Dunes our first year camping. We hope for a repeat performance this year when we return.
One trail that you shouldn’t miss in Colorado is the one to Hanging Lake just outside Glenwood Springs and you’ll want to pack a lunch. Rated easy but in my opinion it’s more of an intermediate hike so be prepared. Make sure to wear hiking boots, if caught in rain or misty conditions the trail can be slick.
Outside of Colorado, we’ve enjoyed camping adventures in the Grand Canyon, the hiking trails and scenery there are fantastic. Yellowstone and Glacier National
Bridal Veil Falls, Yosemite Nat’l Park
Parks offer exciting wildlife, unique scenic views over a multitude of excellent hiking trails. Maps of the hiking trails and their ratings are available at the visitor’s centers or ranger stations in most national, state or regional parks.
We’ve also camped in Yosemite National Park where you’ll find activities for everyone in the family. Our favorite was the hike to Bridal Veil Falls. That place has its own atmosphere, cool and misty.
White Sands, Blue Water – Florida beach
In the Florida panhandle, we stopped in Niceville, they have several beach front campgrounds in the area next to the whitest sand we’ve ever seen. The ocean water is warm even in October, which was when we were there. Didn’t realize we were traveling at peak hurricane season then, we do now. In our defense hurricanes are not a problem in Colorado, our home base.
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Camping and Hiking – Steamboat and Pearl Lake
I think for the next few weeks, I’ll discuss the campgrounds that we’ve visited and the hiking trails around the area. First one, as you probably have surmised will be Steamboat Lake, a Colorado State Park. It’s one of my family’s favorites. We camp in a 30-foot fifth wheel with all the comforts of home.
Right Side View from Camp Site at Steamboat Lake
Left side View From Steamboat Lake Campsite
In fact, Steamboat Lake is the location for my first Cozy Mystery due out the end of 2016. The story revolves around friends who vacation together, picking a different spot each year and this year they are at Steamboat Lake. Just happens that the site Amber and Malic reserved has a trailer already in it when their friends, Jake and Tamberlyn arrive. The rangers are notified, only to discover that the trailer with Nevada license plates apparently has been abandoned with an unwelcome occupant. Upon closer inspection, all is not what it seems and Tamberlyn’s security background and computer talents are put to the test. Ok, that’s enough about my current novel in progress.
Dawn Mist Over Steamboat Lake
Steamboat Lake is a little piece of heaven on the western slope, about 27 miles northwest from the Town of Steamboat. Hahns Peak frames the breath taking scenery of this spectacular park.
Kayaking at Steamboat Lake
It offers non-electric and electric camp sites for RV’s or tents. Reservations are strongly suggested from Memorial Day through Labor Day. There are some sites shaded by aspen or evergreen trees and others are near the shoreline.
We enjoy the sites lakeside as it easier and closer to get our kayaks in the water. The lake is perfect for kayaking, especially early morning and at twilight, when the aquatic wildlife is out and about in the crisp mountain air. It’s also a wonderful lake for boats, water skiing and seadoos. The swim beach is perfect for a day of swimming or a family picnic.
Great Blue Heron, Steamboat Lake
The RV’s are not packed in like sardines and most sites offer at tent pad and campfire ring. There are several trails for biking or hiking and your canine friend can accompany you on the trails. There is a little camp store at the full service marina and the visitor’s center is just a bike ride away.
Flora at Steamboat Lake’s Edge
The information and campsite map is available on their website .
A little about Pearl Lake, it’s campsites are all non-electric and the lake doesn’t allow motorized vehicles, so it’s a very tranquil place. Surrounded by beautiful scenery, it’s just a couple of miles down the road from Steamboat Lake.
You don’t have to say goodbye to Steamboat Lake as winter approaches. There are ten camper cabins available year around. Also available are 14 electrical hookups at the marina parking lot. Just load up your snowmobiles and ice fishing gear or snowshoes and cross county ski’s and get out there.
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