We spent a lovely, lively four days with my sister, brother-in-law and two nephews in Calgary, Alberta, last week. Alberta is the neighboring province to our west. We also took a little with a side trip to the picturesque town of Banff located in the Rocky Mountains that divide Alberta and British Columbia.
How’s that for a geography lesson? A teacher I am not. That’s my sister! She’s also a foodie. So we ate very well while we were there. Porridge with a variety of toppings for breakfast, homemade tomato for lunch, trout for dinner. Lawd, it was delicious. Good company and good food make for good times!
My husband and I lived in Calgary for four years after we were first married. We loved it there, but it just wasn’t where we were meant to live. I love my wide open prairies and my small city. But I still enjoy going back to the mountains and we hadn’t been there for far too long. Writers gain inspiration from all kinds of settings. But there’s something about being surrounded by the majesty of the Rocky Mountains that stirs the creative juices. For a romantic suspense writer the possibilities are endless. Every setting comes with it’s own dangers. With it’s own storms. It’s own extremes. Own challenges. There are high divides, passes and alpine lakes here. Variations in weather and season. These mountains are home to moose, bighorn sheep, mountain lions, black bears, and others from butterflies to eagles. It is a rich environment to draw from.
What settings inspire you? Have a favorite book set in the midst of a mountain range? Do you pick books because of setting?
Great pics, Karyn – sounds like you had a lovely vacation!
Your post reminded me of a romance novel I read where the town literally was cut of by some evil men. The woman running the B&B had a guest that wasn’t your average holiday-er. The handyman (love interest) and her managed to save the day. I think it was a Linda Howard, but couldn’t find anything when I did a Google Search.
I might have had more luck! Is it Cover of Night by Linda Howard. Now for something shocking…I’ve never read a Linda Howard novel! I think I need to fix that sad fact and this sounds like a good one to start with.
The Rockies are just beautiful! I’ve been in them in both US and Canada. What a great place to set a story. I’ve been working in Alaska for my last three books and that’s a good setting, too.
Hi Ilona! I’ve always wanted to spend time in our Northern Territories and Alaska. I wonder if those places are anything like my imaginings? I guess the best way to find out is to check out your books 😀