Claire Bidwell Smith

I got home from Sedona last night and felt that same euphoric feeling of gratitude as I drove through the San Bernadina Mountains, through Riverside, and past downtown Los Angeles, that I did four months ago when Greg and I moved here.

Sedona was incredible. Not only was it visually stunning, but it was simply a magical place. Everywhere I turned there was shimmering sense of ancient possibility and beauty and it was undeniably rejuvenating to spend some time close to the earth. I’m not an outdoorsy person, but we all need to get out our cities and concrete jungles now and then.

(See all the photos here.)

Yesterday morning we hiked out into the desert and lay right down on the red rocks under the midday sun. It was spectacular.

The trip was extra-special because I was with my editor, Denise, the entire time. Prior to selling a book it had never occurred to me that writers could be friends with their editors or that they even necessarily worked with one editor on multiple books, but in fact, the opposite is true. So to have Denise alongside as I delved into some pretty heady experiences for my second book was simply more than I could have asked for. We also just had an amazing time bonding, eating insane amounts of Southwestern food, lounging in hot tubs, and laughing.

I’ve come back feeling renewed, and as though I’m entering a very new chapter of my life.