Gillian Philip

The Storm Of Dogs Tour: Boulder, CO

 

Well, I thought I was heading for more snow when I set off for Boulder, Colorado, but I couldn’t have been more wrong. I arrived at night but by the time I woke up in the morning, the sun was high and the air was warm and people were already basking in t-shirts on the sidewalk. The weather’s weird, but I’ve got to say I like it when it’s this weird!

I was lucky to have nearly a whole day off, so I set out to explore the gorgeous town of Boulder. When I mentioned on Twitter that I was heading for Colorado, a friend tweeted straight back to say “Go to Boulder, fab little town!” And Claire, you were so right… I started in the Pearl Street Mall (fabulous), moved on for a hibiscus cooler (or three) in the Dushanbe Tea House (breathtakingly beautiful), then took a hike up Boulder Creek towards the mountains (stunning!). With my John Denver earworm in my head (apparently everyone gets that), I managed to tear myself away from this gorgeous neck of the woods, only so I could make a planned call to my kids back home.

 

By 5 o’clock I was getting very excited for my event at Boulder Books on Pearl Street – a lovely bookstore that, like Doctor Who’s Tardis, is a lot bigger on the inside. Erin (another one!), together with her fabulous staff including Megan, Sarah and Patty, gave me a warm welcome, as did you Erin Hunter fans – Claire, Laurel and Audrey, I loved your cat outfits! Your graphic poster “How the battle with the Dark Forest SHOULD have ended” was just brilliant! And Audrey, I adored your drawing of Storm – so sad yet determined, and you even included her torn ear. I’m going to show it to Inbali, too, and she’s going to love it. And a shout-out to Caroline, as well! It was so great to see you all.

I had so much fun meeting all of you who came, and talking about Survivors – and answering all your questions. I can’t say it often enough – I have so much fun chatting to Erin fans. You rock!

Finally, I just have to mention the Hotel Boulderado – it’s totally haunted! – which is an amazing place. Big thanks to everybody there, and to William and William my fabulous drivers (I was thrilled to bits when William #1 quoted my book Firebrand!)

I could have stayed, basking in the Boulder sunshine, forever… But it was time to set out for Portland, Oregon. And I’ll let you know very soon how much I enjoyed that too!

Pack-howls from a Rocky-Mountain-High Gillian/Erin!