Travels

Guess where I went!

Kyoto, Japan !!

I love to travel. So far, I have visited 44 states and 12 foreign countries on three continents. Much of my travel in the states has been during six cross country treks. I highly recommend seeing the USA first-hand - from Niagara Falls, to the Grand Canyon, to colorful La La Land, there is always something around the corner that will take your breath away.

In May of 2018 I left the country. For good reason. I fulfilled a dream and spent a week in KYOTO, JAPAN - and fell in love with that country. I can't wait to go back to that hypnotic place and explore even more. But next time, I want to take a group of writers with me. Contact me for more information.

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In April of 2022 I went to historical -Jim Thorpe, PA

THE ROAD TO LATTIMER, by Virginia Rafferty, (see the Works in Progress page) is a book about the immigrants of Eastern Europe who moved across the world to work in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. Recently, I was hired to write the movie of version of this book, and whenever I write, I like to do research. As soon as I could, I drove 300 plus miles to see first-hand what that part of the world looked like. The story takes place around Jim Thorpe, Hazleton, and Lattimer, and I stayed in Jim Thorpe, a picturesque community with plenty of history. And of course, I dug into mining country - pardon the pun. Although I grew up in Kentucky, and saw strip mining up close, this kind of coal mining was deep in the mountains. And I needed to see it.

While in Pennsylvania I was able to go to the Eckley Miners Village (http://eckleyminersvillage.com/), where the movie The Molly Maguires was done, and the No. 9 Mine and Museum (http://no9minemuseum.wixsite.com/museum), as well as the site at Lattimer where 19 miners were killed while marching for higher wagers and better working conditions.

It was like stepping back in time - and it was all very informative.

In addition, I discovered a film festival I was not aware of, the Jim Thorpe International Film Festival,

(https://www.JimThorpeindiefilmfestival.com/), and was fortunate to be able to attend their fifth year festivities. There were some excellent foreign and domestic films that really inspired me. And I met so many really wonderful people.

So here are a few of the pictures I's like to share

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In May of 2017 I went to friendly vancouver, b.c.

I was honored to have had my script MY OLD MAN chosen as a finalist for the screenwriting competition in the Vancouver International Women in Film Festival. #VIWFF So I decided to go.

When I got there I checked into my hotel, and immediately felt like a celebrity. A room with a view! At night the lights were spectacular and in the afternoon I could see the cruise ships on the water. There was also a great restaurant in the hotel with desserts to die for. Next time you're in Vancouver, you might want to stay at the Century Plaza Hotel.

The #VIWIFF festival took place at Vancity Theatre, a modern facility with lots of places to meet and meet up. Not only did I find an enormous wealth of smart, supportive women, but also an abundance of remarkable films. I attended dozens of screenings and sat in on the panels afterwards. I also participated in a panel on writers, then went to brunch afterwards with a few new friends: Joan MacBeth, writer and screenplay competition organizer; Maja Aro, filmmaker, stunt coordinator and all-round badass; Michelle Muldoon, writer and producer at Paisley Productions; and Leslie Mapstone, writer and documentarian. I was happy just to be part of the festival, so when I won, it was an embarrassment of riches.

And did I mention that the city was beautiful? Vancouver is full of the kind of architecture and history I seek. I took a short tour, visiting some of the historic homes in the area, (see the birdhouses in the tree?), and then walked to the water. Even through the rain I could see the beauty of this city.