On Wednesday, April 30, I was getting ready to go to the Creative Industries Summit in Salida, Colorado when I saw an email from Etsy.

A woman in Portland, Oregon needed a FantaFaces mask by Friday for a Gala Event. I sent a message back saying I knew it would cost at least $20 to ship it and if she wanted me to do that, to call me in the next half hour.

I had hoped to pack the night before, but hadn’t gotten it done, so was packing earlier in the day trying to figure out all I needed. I hadn’t traveled in a while, so was not getting it done in perfect manner. And little did I know then, that I would forget something that I needed, but luckily could do without. I did get all my Young Living Essential Oils I really needed packed. And I took each of my books in case I could use them in some way at the Summit.

About 10 minutes after sending the email,  my phone rang. The woman who wanted the mask asked if it would cost the same to ship two masks. I said yes, so yes, she wanted me to ship her two masks. She immediately paid for them and I packed them up. Since I was driving, I thought I would go to a UPS store thinking that might be cheaper than the Post Office and they guarantee two day delivery.

I got everything in the car, or so I hoped. Quite a bit later than I had meant to be leaving, but off I went. This trip was basically paid for by Manitou Springs Art Council and Commonwheel. And then I had lodging with a friend, so it was pretty much a free ride for me and I intended to enjoy it fully.

When I got to the UPS store, the clerk told me the cost would be $32 to be guaranteed delivered by Friday. That was the cost of a mask . . . I went out and tried to call the client. No answer, no way to leave a message. (What I didn’t know was that the phone number that had showed up on my phone was not her actual phone number.)

Thinking it through, I decided that if she didn’t want to pay the extra $10, it would still be better for me to just send them off and consider that I had paid a commission to Commonwheel as if I had sold it there, not Etsy. So I went in and got it shipped to her. When I asked the clerk if he wanted the email for the client, and he said it wasn’t necessary. (My second mistake, not insisting he put that on the information sheet.)

I had decided to drive the beautiful Arkansas River canyon rather than go through South Park as I have done many times. It was a really beautiful drive and I stopped a few times to take pictures, but didn’t do a walk as I was getting a later start than planned. It was really enjoyable and beautiful to see the snow covered mountains and the very blue river surrounded by walls of interesting rocks on one side or both in some areas. There were many fishermen in the river enjoying the sunshine.

I arrived in Salida about 5pm and got to my friend’s home before she got off work. I was pretty sure I was at the right place when I saw all the plant starts seen through the window. As I walked to the door, I could see her Corgi inside. I was very happily greeted by her newly acquired Corgi and a kitty named Easy. The both just wanted petting and I was happy to oblige.  This home was away from town and had 360 degree views of mountains in the distance.

When my friend got home, we relaxed for a bit, she changed out of work clothes and gave me a tour of the homestead. Then headed into Salida for a dinner at a Riverside Cafe. I had a fish taco and Margarita, perfect way to end a day. She showed me the best way to get to and from the location where the Summit would be held at the Steamplant Event Center on the river.

I still couldn’t get in touch with the lady who ordered the mask to tell her that they were shipped. And when I was unpacking, I realized I had not packed my other pants . . . Luckily the ones I was wearing would work with the tops I had packed. This was a good test “drive” for packing for the week long Young Living Conference at the end of June.

Next morning I got up and took some photos of the surroundings and listened to the birds that were filling a field next to her yard.

Hard to leave, but headed into Salida to register. There was a new magazine, “Colorado Journeys”  for advertising galleries around the state. I thought that very interesting and got the information on it to show our marketing person for Commonwheel.

The first day started with registration and got to see some vendors with information that related to ways to advertise or training of youngsters. Then there was the first session. After that was lunch. Lots of networking with other people that were from various cities and had other interests. An singer and a video created from his song with the help of his band members was the main focus of the presenters during lunch.

Two more sessions afterwards, then an incredible reception of local food and breweries giving samples of wines, beers, whiskey and more. Yum, and enjoyed some bourbon and wines. Then went on the Art Walk to galleries with another MSAC Board member. It was interesting to see how many galleries were also the studios of the owners. Some galleries were owned by someone who was not an artist. One had many artists work that we knew, which was fun to see. My walking partner was really good at engaging the owners in conversations and we learned a lot about the art world in Salida.

I was a little bit tired and missed the driveway to my friend’s house, but realized it quickly and got turned around and back to her place before it was totally dark.

My friend mentioned her feet were sore the other night and I had shared my Young Living Pine Essential Oil with her. She told me that it really helped her. I gave her a copy of my “Discover Essential Oils” book to learn more about how that one and others might help her with some other health challenges she was experiencing.

I sent an email to the person who bought the masks from her computer seeing that they had arrived in Portland that day, so felt sure they would get to her home on time. Still couldn’t reach her by phone, and I couldn’t get my voice mail in this area, so quite trying to call her or anyone.

The next morning started with a breakfast at 7am. I got there a little late, but on time enough to meet and talk with a few other new people and some I had met the day before. It was really chilly in the tent, but the food and conversation warmed us up.

There were two more sessions in the morning and the Governor’s Award Luncheon. The Guerrilla Marketing session was really interesting and gave me some ideas to use in the future for both the Festival and the Gallery. The music of Ian Cooke and the poetry reading by a young National Poetry Out Loud winner was a perfect bit of unusual entertainment for a group of Creatives.

In front of the tent was a crazy car that was part of the Trinidad Artocade that was created by an artist friend, Rodney Wood.

Wild and crazy, always had people looking at it. Had a short visit with him and another friend who lives in Villa Grove and was in charge of the video equipment.

After the luncheon, I headed for home. But not before taking some photos of the kayaks in the river and the most fun bike rack – a radiator – near the Event Center. Rafting and kayaking are two major recreations on this river. And bikes are the basic mode of transportation for residents of Salida.

I stopped a few times to take some more photos, but at the places that one could park, there really wasn’t anywhere to walk very far, so I just kept driving. And I was really exhausted for some reason. Thank goodness for my Young Living Peppermint Essential Oil, that kept me alert. Wish I had thought to bring some Ninja Red with me, but I hadn’t. So it goes.

I pretty much collapsed when I got home and slept deeply, knowing I couldn’t have done anything else.