Interview With A Traveling Mama: Author Allyn Evans

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Today the Traveling Mamas have the award-winning speaker and author Allyn Evans with us. Allyn is the author of the inspiring book “Grab Your Queen Power and Live Your Best Life”. Recently she was very much a Traveling Mama when she took a girlfriend getaway to a Mississippi spa (fun!) and today she’s going to tell us all about it.

1. You recently went on a getaway to a spa. Where did you go and who did you go with?

My first cousin, Sheryll, started it. For her birthday she wanted us to all chip in to fund a massage at The Alluvian Spa in Greenwood, Mississippi. She’s a school teacher and mother of two boys and said she needed some self-care. This has turned in to annual event for her.

My cousin, my sister, Suzanne, and I all have birthdays around the same time. We all decided to join in Sheryll’s annual fun. We invited my mother and aunt and made plans to experience The Alluvian Spa!

This wasn’t my first time to visit The Alluvian. A few years previously, I had attended a book signing event at Viking, a Greenwood, MS based corporation that manufactures professional kitchen appliances for home use. Morgan Freeman, a famous Hollywood actor who also lives in a nearby Mississippi town, agreed to host the event. Much to my dismay, at the last minute Morgan was called away for a Hurricane Katrina event. However, his wife and granddaughter joined us making the event special as well as successful. Because the event took place in the evening, we spent the night at The Alluvian Hotel. Remembering the luxurious room, the private dining available next door at Gardianas and the amazing complimentary breakfast, I called Sheryll back a few says later and said: “We have to spend the night!” Our plans turned into an overnight trip and evening out at Gardiana’s, the restaurant next door.

The Alluvian is a new place and the mastermind of Viking CEO Fred Carl. Wanting to create a “Viking” experience, mainly for the many Viking distributors and guests who travel to Greenwood, Carl led the renovation of The Hotel Irving, which had opened in 1917 and thrived throughout World War II. Later converted to a residence hotel it stayed viable through the mid-70s. The accommodations as explained in their promotional material are “surprisingly cosmopolitan luxury boutique hotel”. The 45-room Alluvian also includes five suites. All the rooms are custom decorated and feature Mississippi artists.

2. How did you prepare your daughter for your trip?

She’s 11 and spent our one-night away with her cousins and grandfather, who treated them like kings and queens! Because we had planned a fun get away for the children too, I didn’t have to prepare her at all.

3. What was it like to have time for yourself?

I rarely am without my daughter, except when she’s at school or with friends. But on the other hand, I have always been very protective of my personal boundaries and need to rest and rejuvenate. For me, it wasn’t about needing to get away and relax, but more about being with my favorite people—my sister, cousin and my aunt. My mother was scheduled to join us, but had to change her plans at the last minute.

4. What was the best experience you had at the hotel and spa?

The hotel staff treated us like Queens! We all enjoyed our massages and facials. I suggest skipping the manicure, pedicure and make-over. Transitioning from the Tranquility Room and other treatments to the pedicure, manicure and/or make-over rooms seemed abrupt and mood-spoiling. And the makeover seemed more about selling products than delivering a service.

5. What do you think about moms and getaways? Should it be a requirement for a mom?

Definitely and in all stages of her life…even post children!

6. Is there anything else you would like to add?

One of the highlights of our trip was meeting one of the Viking dealer groups. They were from Holland. As we left the restaurant and returned to Giardina’s Bar, members of the visiting group stopped us to ask about living in America and Mississippi. We spent the rest of the evening laughing and talking with our new friends. I imagine that any night of the week one could find interesting people to meet at The Alluvian. We certainly did.

Thanks, Allyn. It sounds fabulous! Next time can the Traveling Mamas join you girls?

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July 16, 2008 | Filed Under Girlfriend Getaways, Luxury Travel, Mama Interviews, The Cookie Jar 

Comments

15 Responses to “Interview With A Traveling Mama: Author Allyn Evans”

  1. Boedus Travel Blog - Web Digest of Travel Resources » Blog Archive » Interview With A Traveling Mama: Author Allyn Evans says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    [...] Originally posted here: Interview With A Traveling Mama: Author Allyn Evans [...]

  2. Janet Elaine Smith says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    What a wonderful experience, Allyn. I’m green with envy. I love that you planned something special for your daughter too.
    Janet Elaine Smith

  3. Allyn Evans says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    Thanks, Janet!

    We should ask my dad what he thinks about our night away! Ha! Actually, he reported all went well. I’m sure he spoiled them, but that’s what grandfathers are for…right?

  4. Camellia says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    My hometown! Fun. I haven’t been to alluvain spa…maybe because one of my friends who worked for Viking said she couldn’t get a massage from someone she might meet on the street. Maybe I should get over that. The tranquillity room sounded just right.

  5. Nicole says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    I know where I’m going to go the next time I visit Greenwood! WOW! Now I need to find one around here. I’m sooooooo ready for a spa day! Thanks for sharing! =)

  6. Suzanne says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    As the sister mentioned in the article, I can attest to the fact that our spa getaway was exactly what I needed. It was the perfect end to a busy school year and the perfect beginning of summer! As a full-time working mother of 2, it is very difficult to find time for myself. Getting together with my sister and others while enjoying some “pampering time” was just what I needed! Did she say this was an annual event?? :)

  7. Carolyn Howard-Johnson says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    When I was raising my kids (a long time ago), things were different. We didn’t live near either my husband’s or my parents so no built-in babysitters. And every time we tried to get away, we had a mini disaster. This was before NOW and the women’s movement so, believe it or not, it never occurred to me to go on my own and let my guy tend the kids. Or the other way around, for that matter. I’m so glad that Traveling Mama is keeping possibilities for women up front and center. And your experience, Allyn, sounds absollutely luscious. How about a traveling grandma!? LOL
    Best,
    Carolyn Howard-Johnson
    Award-winning author of This Is The Place and Harkening
    http://www.howtodoitfrugally.com

  8. Allyn Evans says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    Yes, Suzanne…I said “annual!”

    And come on Grandma Carolyn. You’d LOVE it. :)

  9. Judith W Colombo says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    Allyn,

    Your trip sounds wonderful. The only trip I went on without my husband or son was a confrence to Saratoga, New York with other members of the faculty and that I had to go on. Usually I went on family vacations, the three of us or Ben and I if Vincent had to work.

    Travelling Mamas sounds like fun.

  10. Kathe Gogolewski says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    Okay, I realize I DON’T have a birthday in the summer, and I’ve never traveled with any of you before…but I’d still like to go next time! ;)

    It sure sounds like an adventure. Guess I’ll just have to round up my girlfriends and entice them into a Girls’ Night of our own!

  11. Allyn Evans says:
    July 16, 2008 at

    Come on down. Mississippi is a wonderful place to visit and explore.

    I’ll happily serve as a tour guide any time. Just give me an excuse to visit Mississippi. I’m there!

  12. Ned Mitchell says:
    July 19, 2008 at

    Okay, I’m the grateful Grandfather! Those grandchildren are so nice and beautiful that I will keep them (at least for a night) anytime! AND, they treat Me like a King. They’re much nicer than their mother’s and aunts were to me at that age!!

    By the way Allyn, Giardina’s is spelled–well, Giardina’s. I loved the article. Dad

  13. Ned Mitchell says:
    July 19, 2008 at

    By the way, The Alluvian “name” was originated to commemorate the fact that Greenwood and the rest of the 200 mile long and 60 mile wide valley known as the “Mississippi Delta” are located on an alluvial flood plane of the Mississippi River, and the area contains some of the most fertile soil in the world. That’s probably more than anyone wanted to know.

  14. Bettye Mitchell says:
    July 19, 2008 at

    I am the mother who missed the trip, but that won’t happen again! I also missed keeping the grandchildren, but they were in good hands. Allyn, you do tell a good story- I just wish you could pass on all the stories that were surely told and the reasons for the laughter during the evening. Next time—–

  15. Allyn Evans says:
    July 19, 2008 at

    Ah…yes…next time. :)

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