Everyone is in sensible shoes. I am at Centrum, a writing conference at Fort Worden Historical State Park in Port Townsend WA, walking through crackly dry grass and covering some distance between buildings for events. Nikes, Merrills, Hokas, Tevas, Keens in all shapes and sizes sprint off during lunch break, efficiently walking the mile to-and-from the gleaming lighthouse seen from the classroom windows, with plenty of time to return for a quick bite before the afternoon sessions. I lean back barefoot on the grass and wiggle my toes. The sky is as blue as the ocean below us and everywhere I look all the shades of color melt together like a Rothko painting. I do not wear the same sporty footwear. I do not hike to the lighthouse and get all sweaty in this free hour. Instead, I unlace my tried-and-true Keds Triple Kick leather sneakers, a shoe that perfectly supports my ridiculous high arches and narrow tapered feet and picnic shoeless and alone on the vast lawn. The briefest white cirus clouds float overhead and trail to the sea. I execute a few yoga moves. I crunch a carrot: I don’t care that I look like a camper on her first day in bright white tennis shoes; I have crossed the country for my own version of adult summer camp.

Six days intensive workshops on Place in Story. Six afternoons in craft and other workshops. There is no sunbathing, umbrella cocktails or massages. Instead, I am working my mind and my words. This is really fulfilling — even the critique sessions on my writing — and just as it has taken me decades to decipher what fits with my high arches and narrow, skinny feet it has taken me the last fifteen years to realize I like to work more than lounge.

My Mini hummed and my brain fired all the way here. I like going places where I am anonymous even if adrenalin, anticipation and fear are dominant emotions this week. Thrown amongst complete strangers sharpens me.

Day one is done. The week is young. I have a few more freckles from lunch break. I have met new writers that have engaged with me and my words. My smile is even brighter than my shoes. With any luck I can stay awake to read a few pages of a good book tonight.