What
inspires you? Tell me in a comment to be in a drawing for a free e-book.
Research is a large part of a writer’s world, especially when he
or she writes historical novels, and often provides ideas for other novels. I
love research and have trouble keeping on task. One of the fun parts of
research is the day trip.
Years
ago, my husband and I took a trip to Palo Pinto County, Texas for a driving
tour and that’s when I fell in love with the area. To be truthful, I already
loved driving through the hills and valleys. This tour, however, convinced me
this was an area in which I would set many books. So far, I have two series set
here—The Men of Stone Mountain and Bride Brigade—and a time travel, OUT OF THE
BLUE.
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| Palo Pinto Mountains in distance from the valley |
To most
people, these would be considered hills, but geologically, they are mountains.
Don’t ask me why, I’m just a writer. There are many picturesque areas and I
enjoy driving through at any time of year. Now, however, is a prime time for
the leaves are changing and it’s easy to see why the Native Americans dubbed
them “painted posts”.
Although
many live oaks dot the forests, most are smaller scrub oaks which turn colors
and lose their leaves. Live oaks lose leaves, but they’re replaced and always
have dark green leaves year around, hence the name. Also in the area are cedars
and they provided fence posts material as well as small logs for cabins. Add in the cottonwoods, pin oak, red oak, hackberry, bois d'arc, elm, and don't forget the late-comer mesquite that plagues ranchers.
In Palo
Pinto County are many hot water springs, the most famous of which is the crazy water
well in Mineral Wells. According to accounts, a family with a mentally
disturbed wife moved to the area and the husband dug a well. While drinking
that water, the woman was cured. It should be called sane water, but that doesn’t
have the ring to it that crazy water does.
To this
day, Crazy Water Crystals are available for sale. Frankly, I believe these are useful as
little more than laxatives now due to the water's mineral content. The county's largest town was named Mineral Wells for a reason. The original well went through a lithium
deposit and that provided relief to the woman’s condition. I doubt the FDA would allow over the counter lithium sales.
One of
my favorite ranches is the Belding-Gibson Ranch, which has a spring that never
dries up and was a favorite Native American campground. This is a beautiful
ranch that has been continuously run by the Belding family and descendants
since 1859. The original cedar log cabin dating to 1854 has been incorporated
into the ranch home, as has the smokehouse and the dog trot and second cabin. This place is so dear to my heart.
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| Belding-Gibson Ranch Home includes preserved parts of original cabins and smokehouse. |
I enjoy
this entire county, although I’m glad I live in a Fort Worth suburb with all the
shopping and medical conveniences I prefer. While visiting Palo Pinto, I can
visualize life as it was in the last half of the nineteenth century. A drive
there sets my imagination’s cog wheels turning and generating new ideas faster
than I can write them. The drive also makes me smile and dwell in my happy place.
Do you have special areas that
inspire you? I’ll give away a copy of my first Bride Brigade romance,
JOSEPHINE, to one person who comments today.
