NorthStar Women Write in D.C.

by Michele Bowden

As an adventure junkie, I love breaking away from the daily grind. Lately, I’ve been adding fun to my day off by inviting friends to hang out in new places—coffee shops, creative spaces, state parks—you name it.

Recently, we planned a writing day in D.C. for our NorthStar Writing Group. The itinerary? Visit the interactive Planet Word museum, grab lunch at Tatte Bakery, and wrap up with personal writing time in the Portrait Gallery Atrium. Genius, right?

The forecast called for nonstop rain, so we geared up in jackets and boots—only to be met with perfectly blue skies.

When we all met at a park near the museum, I burst out laughing. One of the participants turned out to be a long-lost friend I hadn’t seen in years, and the reunion made the day even sweeter.

Planet Word was a highlight—interactive exhibits, language games, audio stories, and even a printed story for takeaway. I highly recommend it!

At Tatte Bakery, I had the best Lamb Hash, and they even had a gluten-free cookie that didn’t disappoint. Be warned: the line is long, but absolutely worth it.

We ended the day writing in the Portrait Gallery’s atrium. It's beautiful, but bring headphones—the acoustics are no joke. I learned way too much about a stranger’s insurance woes and teenage romance drama (and yes, I really wanted to define “elope” for them).

By late afternoon, we wrapped up with shared stories and coffee for the road. My heart was full, my mind refreshed, and my adventure cup overflowing.

Consider this your official invite to join us on our next Writing Group outing. Stay tuned!