The winner of VICTORIA FALLS is Rick Robiinson! Rick, you can contact James Hornor on Gmail; he's jbhornor.
JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: This week is the midpoint of summer, half-way between Memorial day and Labor Day. Everyone is busy traveling, writing, visiting friends, and hopefully enjoying everything the season has to offer, so it's the perfect moment for another Fast Five!
Favorite ice cream flavor? Mint chocolate chip, especially Hood's Red Sox Green Monster Mint, where instead of chips you get tiny chocolate socks.
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel? Ferris wheel. Ross and I went on a roller coaster ONCE when our usual roller-coaster loving friend wasn't available and Youngest desperately wanted to ride. Greater love hath no parent than to induce nausea for his child.
Hat, sunglasses, or both? Both, and sunscreen. Mr. Sol is not your friend, people!
Beach house, lakeside cottage, or mountain retreat? I should say mountain retreat because it's more on-brand for my fiction, but I'm going to go with lake house. Preferable one that's also near a ski resort.
Best part of summer so far? Working on time organization with Celia, July 4th on the eastern Prom in Portland, with fireworks and the PSO, Thrillerfest weekend in NYC!
LUCY BURDETTE:
Favorite ice cream flavor? Can I say root beer float? That's sweet cream ice cream and old fashioned root beer, yum...
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel? Ferris wheel--turns out a distant relative used to manufacture them, so how could I not?
Hat, sunglasses, or both? Ball cap and sunglasses
Beach house, lakeside cottage, or mountain retreat? We're doing double family reunions this summer. My side's took place beside lake Superior, which is incredibly beautiful. Next week beach side with 50 of John's family on Cape Cod. By then we'll need another vacation!
Best part of summer so far? Magical trip to Scotland with a dash of Ireland.
HALLIE EPHRON
Favorite ice cream flavor? The rose and lychee flavored gelato I had in Tuscany.
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel? Pass. Because ten years ago it would have been roller coaster. LOVE roller coasters. But I've read too much about how your brain sloshes around in your skull when you ride one.
Hat, sunglasses, or both? Definitely both. I have a straw hat that started out red and blue and green and it's now bleached pastel.
Beach house, lakeside cottage, or mountain retreat? Beach house. I like to take flat walks.
Best part of summer so far? Of course, teaching in Tuscany for Minerva Education. I worked with the most fantastic writers, ate the best food, and got to bring my husband along. Alora... when are we going back?
HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN:
Favorite ice cream flavor? Jamoca Almond Fudge. This is coffee ice cream with chocolate covered almonds. I ASK you--how great is that? Summer flavor, though--pineapple sorbet.
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel? Roller coaster, theoretically, if don't actually have to ride it. I think amusement park rides may be a thing of my past. Ferris wheels are, forgive me, boring.
Hat, sunglasses, or both? Both. Most def. Although my one regret in life (!) is that I look terrible in baseball caps. Sigh. But sunglasses are a gift from the heavens.
Beach house, lakeside cottage, or mountain retreat? Beach. No question. Because bugs.
Best part of summer so far? I bought watermelon strawberry seltzer thinking it was pink grapefruit. But! Mixed with vodka and ice and fresh lime? Winner. And..I dunno, happiness.
DEBORAH CROMBIE:
Favorite ice cream flavor? Haagen Daz Rum Raisin. And vanilla in a root beer float.
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel? Ferris wheel, if I must. Roller coasters are high on my "You couldn't pay me to..." list.
Hat, sunglasses, or both? Both. Love my big straw gardening hat.
Beach house, lakeside cottage, or mountain retreat? Hmm. Beach. I've never stayed in a beach house. Putting on my bucket list.
Best part of summer so far? My trip to visit my friend in Kansas City at the beginning of June. Lovely garden, lovely weather, lovely food, fun outings, and a homemade Cosmo or two.
Favorite ice cream flavor: Three Twins salted caramel
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel? I hate anything that goes fast but can tolerate a Ferris Wheel. Especially a giant one with a view over the city.
Hat. Sunglasses or both? Both when I am out walking or sightseeing. Never leave home without my sunglasses all year after cataract surgery.
Beach house, lakeside cottage or mountain retreat? Beach house. Definitely. Love beaches especially white sandy ones bordered by palm trees.
Best part of summer so far? That one's easy. Spending two weeks with my daughter's family in a house on the River Seine in France. Such a wonderful time, sitting late on the deck by the river, enjoying a meal and laughing a lot.
Now it's your turn, dear readers! Cut and paste the questions and give us a glimpse of your summer in the comments.
Favorite ice cream flavor?
Roller coaster or Ferris wheel?
Hat, sunglasses, or both?
Beach house, lakeside cottage, or mountain retreat?
Best part of summer so far?
