Here I am

 I have 2 huge bags including a serious hikers backpack (for the spinning wheel mostly) and a hockey bag for everything else including my carry on which I stash when I have to move anywhere without wheels.
We set off at 4 :15 from our house and were half way down the block when I realized i had left my favourite pants in the dryer. We rushed back and I went in through the garage doors and (woops) left the door ajar.  I decided to run to the washroom one more time and came out to see our husky Shiraz, slip out into the morning haze.  She hesitated for a moment then trotted through the garage -into the alley.  I heard pete honk and I got out as soon as i could to see her reach the end of the alley .  We called hopelessly - she just kept trotting along - obviously had spotted some animal to hunt and we ran after her. I saw her stop at a house for a bit hoping it was not a neighbour's cat.  Pete followed on the bike.  She went further down the road and turned the corner - Pete turned the corner.  He got off the bike and was able to call her to him - what a relief!  I grabbed the bike and followed them home.
When we got back in the car pete asked if I notice a strong smell - i didn't but he was insistant.  When he got home after dropping me at the train station he was convinced Shiraz had been skunked.  He showered and changed and when he got to work he went into the cafeteria where a little girl said to her mom -"Mommy, I smell a skunk." Mommy said,"Me too - that's odd."
Pete made a bee line to the store to pick up some air freshener and hurried back to school where he found the incense he had used as a prop for his 60's talk and lit a number of them before his first class.
Anyway it worked and no one complained of skunk smell for the rest of the morning.
Meanwhile I was making my way to Seattle with the rest of the sleepy people on the bus.
We arrived and got on the train heading to Sacramento where i had a 3 hour break which I used to get breakfast, coffee, and advil for my new cold that developed that morning - rats! - hope it does not get worse.
I got back on the train to head to Colorado where I find myself now getting ready to go to Encampment Wyoming for a spinning retreat at the Sheep Shed.
The train trip was great - desserts, forest, mountains, beautiful canyons - I took lots of pictures which I will try to add.
This is the first time i have had access to the internet so had to skip some of my immediate impressions.
There was a slight glitch when I arrived in Granby - the hostel told me there would be a cab but none existed  and further the hostel is in Fraser - 15 miles away -so after some nervous moments at a gas station I finally realized I could rent the car one day early if I was able to contact Janice the rental lady.  So I called and she picked me up with a flourish and rented me the car in about 5 minutes and I was on my way.
The hostel is lovely - big room- clean bathroom - and A SHOWER!  after 3 days on the train it felt fabulous.
So here i am - my cold is getting pretty uncomfortable - and I am going to drive to Encampment- but am deciding whether to visit some  yarn shops on the way - it will take longer by a few hours - but I don't have anything to do here so maybe I might as well.  There is actually a mill here in Granby that I thought I might visit.
to be continued when I next find the internet.

one more day

I spent last week taking the natural dyeing course from Maiwa.  It is absolutely amazing!!! I learned so much about culture, history, chemistry, not to mention actual dyeing.
Totally worthwhile but a lot of work - everyone was exhausted at the end of the day.
Tomorrow is my last day to prepare for my fibre  oddessy .  I got my ticket to Seattle today.  yesterday I picked up my  treats from Birkland to distribute on the way.  Pearl gave me a little companion that I will photograph - but he is packed right now. Maybe someone can think of a name for him.
I bought a hockey bag to stash all my stuff - it is easy to fill - I will borrow a hitchhiker spinning wheel from Carmen tomorrow. She is a life saver.

preparations

I feel kind of crazy with all the things I have given myself to do before I go.  The last few days I have been dyeing non-stop.  I think I have about 40 rovings ready to spin for the craft fair I have entered in November.
Need to do some labeling and pricing too.
Bought a huge backpack to carry everything in - except my wheel which I think will go in the golf bag.

Dedication

This blog is dedicated to all the fine people connected to the Birkland Bros Knit Group.  Each one of you has inspired me and enabled me to become a wool addicted basket case.  Without you I would still be a respectable home owner and teacher.  Instead I find myself about to set off on a wool oddysey in a couple of weeks across the United States questing after the perfect fleece and a set of combs.  I hope you are happy.  I hope I return without spending my way into oblivion.  I hope Carmen misses me and gives me chocolate.