Exploration and Yarn Just Up the Road

Exploring my Backyard:

Sometimes travel involves flying off and exploring locations around the world. Other times, we are lucky enough to find things to explore (and yarn!) right in our backyard. Or, as the case may be, just up the road a bit. 

I was lucky enough to have a free day recently and brought my daughter along to explore the Estes Park Wool Market. This annual event is free to attend and is focused on bringing together natural animal fiber producers, educators, retailers, and consumers. They offer several days of workshops/classes, a marketplace with booths, demonstrations, and the chance to check out fiber animals!

Checking Out the Marketplace:

I didn't sign up for any workshops this year (though I would love to try some next year - some tasty offerings included spinning, needle felted turtles!, brioche, punch needle, openwork vessels with natural fibers, botanical printing....). Instead I opted last minute to visit on a chilly, rainy Sunday, the last day of the market, and bring along my tween daughter. I was excited to check out the marketplace, and oohed and ahhed over the yarns, notions, and sample products. 

I was thrilled to see the booth for Rowan Tree Travel and chat with their representative about their upcoming trips. They combine travel and fibrecraft (my two favorite things!) into trips to locales like New England, Scotland, and Oaxaca, Mexico. 

Animal Life:

In short order, my child declared the marketplace "boring" and dragged me outside to observe a sheep shearing demonstration. As the masterful shearer removed the fleece in one giant piece, we noted how the fleece color matched the black and white of the skin pigment. After said sheep was shorn, we headed inside to check out the other sheep and goats. The first ones we came upon were the Jacob Sheep and I was shocked to learn they have 4 horns! Fascinating. 

We also loved these curly Angora goats and decided that they were "goat-a-doodles...." 

Next stop was another building that housed angora bunnies. The owners were fluffing them with hairdryers to such an extent that bunny fur was flying through the air and the bunnies seemed to disappear within their own fur. I managed to make out a nose on this one, but not much else! If not for our dog's favorite activity being chasing bunnies, I suspect my daughter might have taken one home.

Finally, we enjoyed watching the sheep dog demonstration, despite the chilly weather and spitting rain. I was impressed with how much work it takes to train and work with a dog to herd the sheep properly. 

Thoughts for the road: 

Our last stop was at the food trucks, which offered everything from popcorn to fried dough, to, yep, lamb. My daughter picked out a quesadilla and we submitted our votes for our favorite finished objects from the showcase before we left. On the way home, passing through the beautiful valley below Estes Park, she told me she was glad she came and that it was "pretty cool." Note that this sort of statement is rare from children of the tween years... she's not a yarn addict yet, but maybe someday! I was so glad I made the effort to travel up the road that day.