There wasn't room for more....

Covered Bridge Festival (click all photos to enlarge)

...in this weekend! And what a lovely time we had, with work and play and lots of people to see and places to go!

The weekend started early, on Friday when we went down the mountain to set up the tents for the Covered Bridge Festival. The adventures came even earlier, as we decided to go down "Belcher Mountain", a winding dirt road that switches back and forth down the mountain. A harrowing journey at the best of times, there were a few more thrills than usual because of a logging company's activities at the foot of the ridge. Wallowing around in sand that was mud a few days would have been fun with four wheel drive; with my modest little pickup it was a tiny bit frightening!

We made it safely, though, and the rest of Friday was spent getting the water back in working order (hurrah)! My house is still a disaster but at least I'm clean! Many thanks to Mom for use of her shower during the week!


Linda and her mom flicking wool

Saturday was beautiful, with cloudless skies most of the day and warm weather. I was just finishing the set up of the booth at the Covered Bridge Festival, with Mom's help, when Linda from Goin' Up Cripple Creek came up with her spinning wheel and boxes of newly dyed Suffolk wool. Linda's mom joined us, and we settled in under my canopy for a wonderful day of talking and working. I was spinning some beautiful moorit wool roving from Rising Meadow Farm. The girls spent most of the day on wool preparation and it seems that they both were enjoying the experience as purple dyed fleece became clean fluffy clouds.

Since this festival was in Patrick County I saw lots of people I know, received some nice compliments on my work and sold some wool to a couple of young women that use drop spindles. There was another spinner there that I was able to speak to; Janet Thompson from North Carolina. I didn't get the chance to find out much about her, but she was doing some lovely yarns! Sue was there with her gourds, and there were lots of other vendors. I didn't get out to see many of them, although Linda graciously minded the booth while I found my way to the food vendors for lunch!

We were between the covered bridges, and watched the horse drawn wagons pass all day. A hay ride pulled by a tractor and a lot of antique cars also went back and forth, and a group of motorcyclists on a poker run all waved at us as they passed. The festival was a lovely experience, thanks to the hard work of our tourism and chamber of commerce departments.


A foundation at last!

Meanwhile, back at Greenberry House, things were busy as the foundation finally went up, thanks to my step-father's connections and a block man he found for us. The job was done well and quickly, and now we can start some carpentry work and start store keeping sometime soon. Maybe!


Haymaking!

And still more work went on at the farm, as the farmer came to bale the hay he cut on Thursday. A nice family effort, resulting in loads of fresh hay for cattle, horses and maybe even the bunnies! If anyone out there wants good hay in square bales let me know! There are four beautiful wagons full sitting down by my driveway.

Sunday was quieter, spent at the craft tent. I sold several items and we had a blacksmith demonstrating. I finished spinning the moorit and started on some Coopworth wool in a natural silver that I love working with; it spins up so fast. This week I'm planning to do some plying, in between other jobs. We're really getting things together with Fiber Femmes, and should be well on schedule with the July/August issue. It's wonderful to see the enthusiastic response from fiber folk!