If it is possible to contain all I love, outside of my children and family, in one place, that place is The Writing by Writers Workshop at Tomales Bay.

The smell of eucalyptus and sage surrounds you as you walk to your workshop in the morning. You look out and the fog is still an apparition over an otherwise crystal blue Tomales Bay.

There is lovely food, three meals a day, prepared by the smiling and gentle staff at the Marconi Center. This leaves you plenty of time to sneak in some writing, except you will be busy going from early morning workshops to late night readings.

These sometimes include oysters and wine, or port and dessert. They always include great conversations and laughter. You’ll step outside of Buck Hall with your arms full of new books and a plate of oysters in one hand, to watch the sunset.

Before you go to bed, your mind will feel like it’s been hooked up to one of those bikes you pedal to make electricity. It will be hard to shut it off.

But you will sleep in your comfortable room, wake early, and listen to the mourning doves as you walk through the hovering fog to get your first cup of coffee and set out to start the next day.

The outstanding 2013 faculty includes Ron Carlson, Pam Houston, Fenton Johnson, Antonya Nelson, Carl Phillips and Cheryl Strayed.

Randy Giusto NothingToDeclare Tom Moyer Photography Serge LeBlanc[/fusion_text]