Hi Ho Hi Ho … It’s Off to FORKS We Go

Raincon Poster with Kris

Hi Ho Hi Ho

It’s Off to FORKS We Go

Early tomorrow morning, I set off to Forks, Washington with two friends, Lisa and Ben (from Tacoma and Olympia respectively).

 

We’re planning to arrive in Forks between noon and 1, because we can check into the motel at 1 pm and then grab lunch just before set up time at the Rainforest Arts Center at 3 pm for Raincon 2019.

 

I’m sorry to say we won’t have any free time to explore the Forks peninsula area, which is something we’ve all wanted to do, and planned to do, for more than a year.

 

But we’ll be at Raincon all afternoon and evening Friday and all day Saturday from 10 am to 7 or 7:30 pm because I’ve been asked to be one of the judges of the costume contest at 6 pm that evening.

 

I’m not sure how long we’ll be there Sunday morning before we decide to head out. I-5 will be undergoing construction all weekend northbound between Lacey and Tacoma, so it’s going to be quite the slog coming back home.

 

Even if we drive the northern route home, we’ll be stymied by construction in the southbound lanes of I-5 at Fife, so there’s no real way to avoid a slow journey  either way we go.

 

If we leave early enough Sunday and drive the northern route home we’ll see more of the area, though, so it’s tempting. And we could divert to Auburn and take another route home instead of I-5 but I imagine that one will be jam-packed, too.

 

Of all the weekends to fix the freeways–Raincon and Father’s Day weekend! GRRRRR!

 

Anyway, Lisa and Ben say they’re in no hurry to get back on Sunday, so I really shouldn’t be stressing over this. I should be saying, “Que sera, sera–whatever will be, will be!”

 

But I know I’ll be weary on the way back and wanting to get home and hit the hay,  so I’m borrowing trouble right now and assuming the worst. (Bad Kris, Bad Kris! Stop that!)

Every other part of this adventure, I’m very much looking forward to.

 

I’m not in the least bit nervous about my appearance, which is unusual. But I figure I’m there to visit with De’s fans, so what’s there to be nervous about? They’re just friends I haven’t met yet because they share my love and respect for him.

 

It’s going to be like going to a convention when De was alive: I get to hang with other Kelley fans and share memories and thoughts. It’s going to be a blast!

 

I love the way I’m defined in the Raincon poster: Kris M. Smith: Author/Public Speaker. Author, yes! But I’m going to be more a Public Visitor or Host during my time in the limelight.

 

I know my story, so I don’t need to worry about forgetting what to talk about. I did prepare a list of talking points to hit, though, so I have a beginning, middle and end during the time allotted to me. I’ve been given an hour, so there should be ten or fifteen minutes left to answer any questions.

 

I’m taking several framed photos and posters of De and me, and I’m bringing the McCoy standee (Jodi Riker requested that!).  I don’t know if they’ll end up on stage with me, or at my book table, or where.  I guess Jodi will direct me…

 

Fellow author Chris Bailey sold me one of his book display racks (several tiers high) because it serves my needs PERFECTLY, so I won’t have books laid all over the table. a Tiered display rack will create space to sign books, to display photos and to not look desperate about selling books. It frees up space for visitors to feel seen and acknowledged, not sold to. YAY!  (I’ll take pictures of the table so you can see it later. There will also be a video of my appearance a week or so afterward on this website.)

 

I’m very much looking forward to meeting the convention organizers and volunteers. I’ve been emailing them and talking to some of them on the phone, but I have yet to meet them in person.  There’s also a reporter there I want to meet.

 

I’ll be donating some of my books to the cause and IF the auction can start the bid for an authentic signed photo of De at $500, I will offer one to them because they need to raise money for next year’s convention.  (The convention is FREE to attend as a guest, so I hope the people who come will spend their money with vendors and ensure the event’s success so they can keep offering these experiences annually.)

 

Next year I may be in Forks again (in September 2020) because a kiwi (New Zealand native) and her daughter will be flying in to go on an Alaska cruise and, if they can arrange it, the daughter wants to attend the Twilight Festival before or after the cruise.

 

I’m still trying to find out the date of the Twilight Festival next year. I think the cruise starts on Sept 4th or 6th and lasts a week, so I hope it doesn’t conflict!

 

It would be a real shame for her to come all the way here, get this close, and have to miss the Twilight Festival. (That would be the perfect time for the rest of us to tour the Forks areas and see the rain forest and other natural treasures on the Olympic Peninsula.)

 

Well, guess I’d better hit the hay. It’s going to be a long. lovely weekend and I need to get my beauty rest!

 

 

 

Please follow and like us:
Posted in

Kris Smith

Leave a Comment





As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases

This weekly blog is reader supported.

If you enjoy my posts, and want to show your appreciation, please do so via PayPal. (My email address for Paypal is kristinemsmith@msn.com. Remember the m between my first and last names so your gift doesn’t misfire. If you go this route, please be sure to include your email address in the notes section, so I can say thank you.

Which I am going to say right now. Thank you!