Where do I start??
I haven't been on a solo trip for YEARS. Like maybe 20 years. Greg and I enjoy visiting new places together, and except for easy local visits to family I just haven't done much on my own. For a long time. Now with an aging dog with horrible anxiety issues I just never felt ready to tackle it. But this year I turned 50 and my brothers decided it was time that I did something just for me and they sent me the cash meant ONLY for a train ticket to Vermont.
"...adventure funds; not clay funds, artist space funds, paint the doghouse funds or Greg's Beer Supply funds! These are Adventure Funds."
My family knows me well enough that once given the funds earmarked for a trip I would finally make the move and DO IT. And I had been talking all year about the possiblity of going to Vermont on my own, on the train, to attend the super secret 50th birthday party of my good friend Kristen of Gilead Fiber Farm. And I would get to see the farm!
And. I mean. VERMONT. IN THE FALL.
So as the birthday plan would go, Kristen would know I was coming. By staying with her we avoided her making big farm plans that would keep her in her neighborhood while the super secret arrangements were being made.
TWELVE hours on the train.
(I won't whine becuase the idea of driving north on I95 is oh SO MUCH worse.)
But 12 hours is a long time. The last 2 were killer.
It was rainy when I left DC (there were flash flood warnings the entire time I was gone.) And still wet and dreary when we went around NY.
I tried to get some knitting done....
But once we hit Massachusetts the rain had lifted and the colors were just too fantastic.
I arrived in Randolph VT after dark with Kristen (and her loyal dog Max) to meet me and whisk me away to dinner. (On my brothers.)
I just had so.much.fun. It was glorious.
Here are pictures. :)
My buddy Fred.
I just had so.much.fun. It was glorious.
Here are pictures. :)
We spent the day out and about (avoiding the neighbor hood to keep the big secret...)
I got alpaca kisses. :)
The party was a total success! Secrets kept!
Morning chores. (Actually a mix of days...)
I milked a cow!! (But not very well!)
Kristen was surprised that the usually reserved llamas came so close. I think the hay was calling!
Iris the (very vocal!) cashmere goat.
Atlas (on the right) and his mom.
Knitting break!
Ginger
Lotus and Leah, guardian llamas. This is coyote country....
Yea, that's the spot! Ecstasy!
Moving huts to the new pasture. And I didn't just watch and take pictures...I moved one too.
Good Morning All!
Boo
My buddy Fred.
And next post....POTTERY!
