Ever heard of book fog? CFRR fog is a real thing too! As my hubby and I were heading downstairs for the day we saw Rachel Hauck, Susan May Warren, and Lisa Jordan with her husband in the lobby and chatted for a while. On our way out the door Kim Woodhouse and Becca Whitam were checking out of the hotel so we said goodbyes to them and were about to take a photo when Rachel Hauck jumped in for an epic photobomb. It doesn’t even matter that it’s blurry!
After we left the hotel Nate and I headed back into DC on the metro. We visited the Capital Building first and spent more time in leisure enjoying the scenes. It was about 25 degrees warmer than it was on Friday and sunny, so the weather was certainly more on our sides!
The biggest MUST-DO we had on our list for DC was to visit the Holocaust Museum. We got our tickets online almost a month in advance and already they were almost fully booked. The tickets were timed for an hour but they told us to expect to spend at least 2 inside. I knew to expect the exhibit containing shoes. When I looked at them I couldn’t help but think about the people who wore them. I spent quite a bit of time staring at them and imagining them being worn. Emotionally it was a very difficult exhibit to see.
What I was not expecting to see was a table with a man sitting in a chair with a sign stating you could talk to a Holocaust survivor. I’ve heard of people meeting survivors who’ve visited their schools as kids and such, but I can honestly say that I don’t believe I have. Is it a bit weird that it also felt like they were putting him on display though? I sat in the chair to say hi to him, but suddenly any questions left me. What DO you say? I asked him if it was difficult to have to repeat his story over and over again to people every day. I was surprised that he said “no, not anymore.” I started to tear up just trying to ask him anything, so instead I told him that I appreciated him sharing his story even though it must be difficult. I wasn’t expecting it to be that difficult. There were some other people standing around so I stood there for a moment and listened to some of his answers to their questions. (You can visit HERE to see more information on his story).
After the museum we headed back to the hotel where we met up once again with Suzie (Remembrancy) for one last dinner and to hang out for a bit before we all had to head home in the morning.
I can’t even begin to tell you how much fun I had on my trip to Rockville, MD for CFRR and Washington DC. It was an incredible experience that I’m sure will stay with me forever. If only it could have lasted longer! I sincerely hope that I can work things out to go to CFRR next year when it it’ll be in St Louis, MO. I hope you enjoyed getting a glimpse at my weekend away!
Interesting.
The retreat sounds like so much fun! Is it going to be the same week of ACFW conference next year?
Holocaust museums are always so moving. I felt like crying just looking at the pictures. Thank you for sharing the link to the survivor. I’m going to check it out right now. 💕 👐
Yes, and I heard it said that attenders would have the option of attending the ACFW awards gala as well 🙂
Ugh!! I must go!! 💕
I hope to go back myself! 🙂
Well perhaps we will meet next year then 😉
That would be exciting!! 😁
Indeed, it’s always fun to connect with people who speak my book language 🙂
Agreed 👍🏻
[…] Ahhh y’all my blog is officially two years old today! Is it odd that it feels like it’s been much longer already? This past year has been BEYOND what I ever would have dreamed. Between other readers/bloggers and authors, I’ve made more new bookish friends than I can count! In April of 2019 I attended the final CFRR event in Rockville, MD which was also my first ever reader retreat. Y’all, when I say that event changed my life I’m not kiddin’! I was able to meet several of my blogging buddies in person (along with being introduced to several more), and over 40 authors! As much as I had fun with blogging before I went to CFRR, afterward I felt a sense of connection more than I thought was even possible. I went from feeling like someone who was the low man on the totem pole to someone who truly belonged. It gave me a huge boost of confidence and I also walked away with a lot of solid advice for how I could be more helpful to authors as a book blogger and reviewer. (If you want to read up more about this you can see my blog posts about my trip: CFRR 2019- Before the Event, CFRR 2019, CFRR 2019- The Day After) […]
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