The Miller Tree Inn AKA The Cullen House

The Miller Tree Inn AKA "The Cullen House"

     Hidden away in the reserved little town of Forks, Washington is a gem of a B&B, The Miller Tree Inn. The home itself is over 100 years old and fits Stephenie Meyer's description of The Cullen House, with the exception that this home is located in town. That of course didn't matter once we stepped inside. Each room is decorated with Twilight memorabilia with the theme of each of the members of the Cullen family. It's a fun little game to guess who's room you are staying in. 

     The rooms themselves are spacious, with beautiful views and most importantly incredibly comfortable. While we are a bit spoiled in our travels and stay in some swanky hotels whenever we get the chance. There is just always something special about staying in that perfect B&B. When the house is warm and smells of fresh cooked meals. When the photos on the walls reflect memories and not just prints to impress. It makes you feel as if you are "home" with family. 

    The welcome we received from Bill and Susan was just as welcoming as a homecoming. They were very gracious in accommodating our requests. Unlike most vacationers we typically start our morning before breakfast is served. There is just too much adventure waiting for us! Expecting a simple cup of hot coffee, Bill and Susan, made sure we didn't leave without a proper hot breakfast. This turned out to be just what we needed for our walk out to the Hole in the Wall at Rialto Beach.

     Forks is the perfect place to delve into a Twilight Novel Adventure. The backstories of the town and how Stephenie Meyer's writings and the Twilight Saga changed the town are fascinating. With the story aside there is just so much more to Forks. It's a great location for some amazing hiking trails. Hoh Rainforest is just a short drive outside of town, as are amazingly beautiful beaches.  

Rob, our own personal "Alec of the Volturi" 

The Miller Tree Inn aka "The Cullen House"

Carlisle's Home Office 

Andrea the Tree Hugger

That's me Andrea, of Novel Adventures  hugging a giant spruce in Hoh Rain Forest. I am in awe of just how big the trees were. This tree was one of the biggest that we saw but not the biggest in the park. While we did get a nice hike in, this tree is right off the road in and even has it's own parking spaces so anyone can make it to this tree. We visited the park on November 9, and it was a perfectly rainy day in the rain forest. About an hour outside of Forks, WA on a beautifully tree lined drive. 

I have been blessed and fortunate to be able to travel and am amazed at the things I see on every trip. I have only been back since yesterday afternoon and am already booking my next flight. Novel Adventures will be attending the Thru the Stones Convention in the Quad City. We'll see you there!

Gone With The Wind Tour

Return From Gone With The Wind

Another Novel Adventure to add to our completed list. We just spent 6 days touring Atlanta and Savannah and enjoying all things Scarlett. We stayed in some of Georgia's most beautiful Bed and Breakfasts and experienced Southern Hospitality at it's finest. I truly felt I had been invited into the homes of dear old friends. It was an experience I had not expected. We had stayed in many Bed and Breakfasts while in Europe and it is hard to find proprietors who treat guests with such a welcome. Aside from the personal welcoming we received the homes we stayed in were simply breathtaking. I felt as if we were staying in 1860. The homes we stayed in were restored to Pre-Civil War grandeur. Crystal chandeliers in every room. Old wooden floors polished to a mirror shine, complete with the remains of nailed in repairs to only add to the charm. Antiques of the likes I had never seen all meant for use, not just display.  

As we traveled around Atlanta and Savannah the friendliness continued. Everyone we met from shop clerks to museum curators had elaborate stories to tell us about the history and culture of Georgia. It was fascinating. It's not very often that we encounter such storytellers in our travels as we found during this trip. By day three, we had realized that we need to factor in storytelling time into each activity. It was unavoidable, everyone had a story to tell us. I did my best to take notes so I can retell some of the stories that we heard. 

No Novel Adventure is complete without including some of the food eaten in the book. During this trip I managed to scarf down fried chicken and biscuits, many sweet potatoes, barbecued pulled pork, country ham and grits, Scuppernog wine, cornbread, mint julep, bacon, yeast rolls, apples, collards, green beans, and fried green tomatoes. All in keeping with Gone With the Wind, of course. Scarlett did eat all of these things and more during the story. I didn't want to go hungry, six days is a long journey. So, I also indulged in country fried steak, barbecued ribs, a couple gallons of sweet tea and pimento cheese sandwiches among other things. So, when I am not blogging you should be able to find me at the gym working off this tasty vacation. 

Every trip always had that one special moment. No matter how much you plan or how many photos you take, there is always that one time to remember. Mine happens to be having the opportunity to meet with an old high school friend that I had not seen for 20 years. Wow! How fast those years flew by. It was great to have a few moments to catch up on all that we have done, to discuss our families and to remember the people we were. It's amazing how some special friends always hold the same place in your heart. The years go by but the friendship can be picked right back up. I am blessed to have all the memories that we share. I left that brief meeting with remembering the things I have been too busy to remember about myself.

 That's the purpose of travel, to discover things about yourself. The destination is just the place that it happens. While I learned much of the inside story about Gone With the Wind and have a better understanding of the Civil War and how we came out a different country. I too came out different. I was reminded of the girl I once was and brought a little bit of her back home to stay. It was another great adventure.

 Book your Novel Adventure

Three city tour

Here is one of our latest request for a Novel Adventure. How about a three city tour of London, Paris and Edinburgh? This is going to be a fantastic adventure. There will planes, trains, buses, bikes and boats. Right now we are looking at a nine day whirlwind tour of some of my most favorite books. There is a love story walking the street of Paris. Magic of Harry Potter in the Muggle world of London. And mystery and love that spans two centuries in Edinburgh.
Do you have a Novel Adventure you would like to take? Come visit us atNovel Adventures.

Lacuna by Barbara Kingsolver Discussion

This has been a rough winter for many of us in the states. I'm not going to argue the fact that out here in Denver we have had it easy compared to what some of you have seen on the east coast. I am tired of seeing grey, shoveling snow, and slipping on the ice. It's time I make a break for some place warmer. 

In my "office" I have two book shelves. One shelf has the books that I have already read and the second shelf has the books I have plans to read. So as I sit here, trying to get warm, my eye wanders across the shelf of book I have yet to read. The Lacuna  by Barbara Kingsolver, of course, I need to be in Mexico. 

I have never been disappointed by a Barbara Kingsolver book and have wanted to read this one for some time. 

Over the past month we have had several travelers coming to us looking for Mexico getaways. At Novel Adventures we specialize in putting readers in the setting of their favorite novel so they can experience the story on a deeper understand of the setting, history and culture. We are always happy to send you on an adventure based on pure fun, no book required. However, since we started traveling through novels I cannot bring myself to vision a destination without a story attached to it. Every story I read now, I have to research the destination. Every destination I see only inspires me to find a novel that matches the beauty of the setting. 

I ask that you join me in reading and discussing Lacuna. Unlike my last attempt at book club, I am going to keep the reading at your own pace. Beware of spoilers, personally I don't mind if you reveal part of the story that I have not read yet.  Feel free to discuss the story. Please remember to be kind to other readers and members. 

As always, come visit us at Novel Adventures when you are ready to book your travel. 

Anna and the French Kiss, and my lack of self control

Anna and the French Kiss

Alright, so I was wrong all along. Dave is a big jerk and I'm happy St Clair took him down. Not that I condone his actions but sometimes you just take the detention. I love the way the story ended. I think St Clair is the sweetest to follow Anna out to California. I get it now. I love how Anna's character grew in the end and how home isn't always a place but it is people. So this concludes our Anna and the French kiss discussions. If you love the story and want to chat about it you can find us on Facebook @ https://www.facebook.com/noveladventure
On a side note follow here for an Anna and the French Kiss giveaway http://www.yabibliophile.com/2014/02/valentines-day-giveaway.html I believe it is today only, so goodluck!

Anna and the French Kiss Discussion 7, Chapters 19-25

I cannot wait to walk in the footsteps on Anna and St Clair. I must get to Paris and find an American Turkey dinner and let a boy sleep in my room. I want to take a ride on a Ferris wheel and eat crepes. There are just so many possibilities in this story. This is going to be a fun itinerary to write.
Wait? What? Did Toph just say what I think he did? Anna's Atlanta boyfriend and her Atlanta best friend are screwing? Yikes! That's a sucker punch if I ever heard one. Well, no biggie really since Anna is crazy over St Clair. If only the two of them would say something about it. But, I suppose if they did then this would be a rather short book. I have to admit I am a little distracted by the final line in Chapter 25. I wonder what Anna would have done on Thanksgiving had she have know this was going on back home. I can't wait to get to Chapter 26.

Anna and The French Kiss Discussion 6, Chapters 16-18

Anna and the French Kiss Discussion 6, Chapters 16-18

I do feel sorrow for our friend St Clair. You have to love Anna, she tries everything she can think of to support her friend in during his terrible time, worrying for his sick mother who he cannot be near. I image it would be difficult to spend Thanksgiving out of the United States and so far from your family. I think that is part of what breaks Anna in Chapter 18. Here she has given everything she can for her friendship with St Clair to feel rejected when herself is also in an emotional state where she needs the comfort of friendship. Once again, I am not impressed with this boy who's every word she hangs on. I have to say I was pleased to see that Anna, finally, digs down and finds her voice.
Perhaps it's just me. Maybe I am just more attractive to emotionally stable and honest boys than to emotionally unstable hungover boys with a cute smile.

Anna and the French Kiss- Discussion 5

Anna and the French Kiss- Discussion 5
Chapters 13-15

Dave? I mean he's kinda cute and all so why does Anna still hang on St Clair? Dave obviously want to get close to Anna but she allows St Clair to break a date for her. He has a girlfriend already, what nerve of this guy! Clearly Girl Scouts didn't teach Anna what to do with an emotionally unstable drunk boy. Noted: next Girl Scout meeting discuss how when a drunk boy tell you he "likes" you, it just means he wants to be that he doesn't mind being that embarrassing moment you never tell your children about. And then he pukes on her?
Run, Anna, run. Go sit with Dave tomorrow at lunch. This guy is just as messed up as his father. He has learned to be a world class jerk.  You throw in Meredith, the sick dying mother, and the recent break-up and St Clair is so not worth the drama. For real there must be thousands of cute boys with knee jelling foreign accents in Paris. Leave the drunk boy alone, and go sleep in his clean un-vomited room.
I cannot wait to see how he redeems himself after this scene.

Anna and the French Kiss, Discussion 4

Anna and the French Kiss, Discussion 4
Chapters 10-12

It is good to see Anna come to peace with her situation. St. Clair is unavailable so she can move on and just be friends with him, or can she? I like that Anna is finding her place with her peer group and finding her place in Paris. It's nice to see her explore her own interest, but then there is St. Clair. In my opinion he is not all that she has built him up to be. I don't like how he toys with her emotions. I'm still waiting for Anna to define herself, but I suppose that's what teen years are mostly for- defining yourself. Any thoughts on why Anna is so smitten with this boy? I just can't figure it out myself.

Anna and the French Kiss, Discussion 3

Anna and the French Kiss, Discussion 3

Well, it's about time our friend Anna get's out and sees Paris. She is amazed at the wonderful sights just outside of her doorstep. Why is Anna so afraid? She is so stuck on Toph, back home, but she doubts herself that there was ever anything between them. She's afraid to be herself, American. She's afraid of how other's might perceive her, despite that those around her only give her positive messages about herself.
Am an curious to see how the relationship develops between herself and St. Clair. Then his girlfriend just shows up? I hope he is not just toying with Anna, she's too fragile for all that. I do hope that she does develop into a strong female character when this story is all said and done.
As for Paris, I hope I am filled with such wonder when I first stand on POINT ZERO DES ROUTES DE FRANCE, as Anna was. I hope one day my parents just drop me off in Paris for the year. But, then of course, I'm not seventeen.

Anna and the French Kiss Discussion 2

Anna and the French Kiss Discussion 2
Chapters 4-6



Oh, our poor starving Anna! I think she is losing it in these few chapters. After the roasted pigeon she only ate fruit and bread before Monsier Boutin tells her he speaks English very well, in Chapter 6.
Do you feel that she is lost in these chapters? She is trying to stay connected with her friends back home while learning where she fits in with this new group.
Will Anna get over the culture shock from her move away from the "Bible Belt" to what she sees and inappropriate freedom? I like how she questions her parents decision on sending her. Did they know that the Residence Director, Nate, has a bowl of condoms outside of his door or that the drinking age in France is 16? I love how sweet and innocent Anna really is.
What are your thoughts?
Would you continue to point to things off the menu if you ended up with Roasted Pigeon?
       I have ordered it on purpose on the Isle of Skye, but that's a different blog all together.

Anna and the French Kiss Discussion 1

Anna and the French Kiss  by Stephanie Perkins
Novel Adventures Book Club Discussion 1

1) How do you feel about Anna in the beginning?
 Do you feel like you can relate to her?

 Me- Since we have just been introduced to Anna, I expect that we are going to see her change and mature in who she feels she is. I like that the story is told in first person, only from Anna's viewpoint. It's much easier to understand the workings of the character if you can be in her head.
My favorite part is in Chapter 2; "The whole school is as intimidating as it is impressive. It should be reserved for students with personal bodyguards and Shetland ponies, not someone who buys the majority of her wardrobe at Target." This passage, I feel, makes relating to Anna very easy. Anna feels that she does not measure up to the rest of the students, especially since she didn't choose this life change. Going to School of America in Paris was her father's idea.

2)From Atlanta to Paris is quite a culture shock to Anna. She doesn't speak French and Anna finds herself alone. I loved the comparison to Hogwarts, well played. We find that Anna isn't alone for long and soon has a group of very diverse friends. I look forward to see how the dynamics of this group plays out.

Buy The Book
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Novel Adventures Book Club

The long awaited Novel Adventures Book Club is set to begin Monday, February 3rd. We will be discussing Anna and the French Kiss , by Stephanie Perkins. You can purchase here.

The schedule for discussion is as follows:
Monday, February 3rd - Chapters 1-3
Tuesday, February 4th- Chapters 4-6
Wednesday, February 5th- Chapters 7-9
Thursday, February 6th- Chapter 10-12
Saturday, February 7th -Dream Vacation Discussion based on the first twelve chapters.
Monday, February  10th- Chapters 13-15
Tuesday, February 11th- Chapter 16-18
Wednesday, February 12th- Chapters 19-21
Thursday, February 13th- Chapters 22-24
Friday, February 14th- Chapter 25-27
Saturday, February 15th- Dream Vacation Discussion based on the first twenty-seven chapters.
Monday, February 17th- Chapters 28-30
Tuesday, February 18th- Chapter 31-33
Wednesday, February 19th- Chapter 34-35
Thursday, February 20th- Chapters 36-38
Friday, February 21st- Chapters 39-41
Saturday, February 22nd- Dream Vacation Discussion based on thee first forty-one chapters.
Monday, February 24th- Chapters 42-44
Tuesday, February 25th- Chapters 45-47
Wednesday, February 26th- Wrap up the discussion and talk about the next Book Club Book.

The Rules
1. Always be kind. We may have different options on what we read and that is fine but please be respectful of the feelings of other readers. Please do not personally attack another member or bully in anyway.
2. Everyone is welcome to read along with us. There is no age limit or fees due. Since there is no age limit, and we do cover young adult books from time to time, let's keep the discussion rated PG13 please! No offensive language or overtly sexual discussions. There are plenty of other places on the Internet for that behavior - not here.
3. It's cool if you want to read ahead but please do not spoil the story for the rest of us. Please wait until we get there to discuss your favorite part.
4. If you do not like the book we are reading, come back next month as the selection changes.
5. Let's stay on topic, this discussion is about the selected book. If you have a book you would like to mention for the next book club wait until the end of the month when we open discussion for our next book.
6. Saturday is Dream Vacation Day. Feel free to discuss travel that you have taken, or want to take but please do not spoil the story for the rest of us by jumping to scenes we have not read.
7. If you are interested in any of the travel that we have discussed or booking your own personal trip you can contact us through our website Novel Adventures Vacations  or email us at, noveladventures@outlook.com
8. There is no obligation attached to joining our book club. You are free to come and go as you like. If you do book travel with us, please mention that you are a member of Novel Adventures Book Club as we have a special gift for you for your trip.