The title of this post is a bit misleading as my 3 1/2 day trip was too brief to see much of Arizona, but the part about an evening with Diana Gabaldon is true enough.
I was invited to this private event, benefitting Diana’s favorite charity, which was organized by this tireless, fearless and faithful fan, Dorianne Panich, and her crew. Psst….she is also very nice!
Photo courtesy of Dorianne Panich
Arrived Friday (March 22) evening to meet two lovely roomies, Auntie Toni and her niece, Laura. We bonded instantly, sharing wonderful experiences, stories, wisdom, and interests. Couldn’t have asked for more splendid roommates. Outlander creates community!
Photo by Laura Acuto
Toni greeted and gifted me with a wonderful T from one of her three Outlander groups, Sisters of the Blades, and a beautiful hand-made pocket book with key fob! Check out its lovely Outlander fabric festooned with for-get-me-nots, Scottish thistles, and Stuart roses.
Saturday found us at The Poisoned Pen, a local bookstore specializing in Diana’s tomes.
Surprise! Many of those attending the main event were also browsing this fabulous Scottsdale bookstore; small, but packed with a terrific selection of books and assorted paraphernalia conducive to curling up with the written word.
Photo courtesy of Dorianne Panich
Not far away was Hole in the Rock, an attraction just outside Scottsdale – not to be confused with Hole in the Rock at Lake Powell. Lots of folks enjoying this stunning sandstone rock.
Excited to join the crowd, I scampered up the rock and gasped at the wonderful view. Easy to see what so many were eager to see!
Turns out there are two “holes in this rock!” Looking up, a second one pierces the ceiling!
Then, we went next door to the splendid Scottsdale Botanical Gardens! Some cacti were in bloom!
Some were not. But, a wonderful, well-designed desert garden. Plants are thriving!
Then back home to change for the big night: “An Evening With Diana Gabaldon!” A local restaurant hosted our group with festive tables, good food and an assortment of refreshing libations.
Photo courtesy of Dorianne Panich
The organizing committee offered thoughtful swag including honey, a photo of Diana from Outlander episode 104, The Gathering, and a beautiful teal scarf printed with lines from Love Songs by Catullus.
Diana soon arrived, wrapped in a splendid shawl of brilliant red – perfect color for her! We enjoyed a four course meal, followed by short chats, autographs and gift-giving.
Photo by Lori Sterns
My gift to Herself was a beaded necklace created with Peyote and Ndebele stitches. The piece was made to honor the presence of Native Americans in Drums of Autumn. Clearly, I was inspired by Native American beadwork, but, the design is my own.
Needless to say, I was delighted when she opened the box and put it on. I had no idea the necklace colors would complimented her beautifully embroidered top!
Our evening then came to a closed. A splendid time was had by all.
Next day, we headed north to Sedona with a stop at Montezuma’s Castle, a 20-room cliff dwelling build some 800 years ago by the Sinagua people. I wonder: will our homes still be standing after eight centuries?
Dedicated as a National Monument by President Theodore Roosevelt, the site is beautiful, serene and inspiring.
Then, on to Sedona where we stood on a magnetic mesa outside town. Purported to be a vortex because iron deposits in the ground form a giant magnet, I pondered Ley Lines and I tried my luck at “finding Jamie!”
It worked!
Well, sort of. I hastened back to the mesa because Angus was waiting on the other side!
A very competent driver, Laura was our patient and lovely chauffeur for all these expeditions.
That evening I dined with Kirsten Carpenter Norling, who lives in Phoenix. Kirsten is an administrator for the Outlander Online FaceBook group. Again, I had never met her, but we bonded like old friends.
Kirsten became the second admin of this group because its originator is Australian and needed someone in another time zone to help. A few hundred friends at that time, Outlander Online now boasts six admins and 15,000 followers!
Like many of us, Kirsten was a late comer to Outlander books and didn’t begin reading them until 2016. She read Outlander in four days. Then, over the next two months, she binged seasons one and two and read ALL big books, novellas and LJG series! Today, her favorite method of “reading” is listening to the divine voice of Davina Porter on audio books.
Her favorite book is Written in My Own Heart’s Blood; fav character is Jamie (naturally), and fav Outlander season is the first! Her favorite episode is Castle Leoch with The Reckoning and The Gathering close seconds!
Kirsten is a supportive and positive fan of both book and TV Outlander. Her group also maintains a thoughtful, civil and kind fan group, without sacrificing interesting and thought-provoking discussions and fun posts. If you are looking for an inclusive FB group to join, you might try this one.
Thank you, Kirsten, for letting me pick your “outfander” brain!
Next day was time to return to the Pacific Northwest. Farewell to a beautiful state, lovely friends, old and new, and our fav author!
A deeply grateful,
Outlander Anatomist