Looking for more than a casual visit? Writers can apply to become an artist in residence at several of the national parks, including Badlands National Park in South Dakota, Crater Lake National Park in Oregon, and Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona. Each program is unique, but they share the goal of celebrating both nature and art.

Or, if you prefer to enjoy nature's beauty with a group, you can sign up for a writing retreat, such as one of Page Lambert's outdoor retreats and adventures. O, The Oprah Magazine called her River Writing Journeys "one of the top six great all-girl getaways" of 2006. "The fluid nature of the river invites us to unleash our creativity. We play. We swim. We write. ... We discuss the pulse, shape and rhythm of writing," Page writes in her essay, "Where inner and outer meet." Look for the touching piece, in which she delves into her personal experiences writing in and about the natural world, in the November issue of The Writer, on newsstands Oct. 13.

 

--Sarah C. Lange, associate editor

 

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