Group from top of stairs: Bonnie Rogers, Susan Murray, Audrey Wells, Susan Neidig and Kerry Courtney. Top of the stairs at back: Carol Knapp, Susan Linde, Dawn Anderberg, Debbie Sharp and Rene Courtney. Top of the stairs front: Gayle Anderberg, Ingrid Shallenberger and Kitie Main. Please click on the pictures below to see the short slideshows I have assembled for your viewing. Thanks to Debbie Neidig for her help.

Our annual spinning gathering at Stehekin Valley Ranch began on Friday June 24th. Some ladies arrived early to spend some quiet time before the rest of the group arrived. Friday afternoon found the group gathered in the dinning area spinning and catching up on the events of the past year.

Saturday morning we all gathered in the dining area to have a great breakfast and spin, knit or just relax and visit before we began our first project brought to us by Carol Knapp and Dawn Anderberg. The first project was a necklace. We all brought t-shirts which were first cut into strips then twisted for style and bound at the back. There were some creative changes with beads and unbound edges. A fun project and great way to use up those old t-shirts or new ones. The second project was a watercolor bookmark. Thank you Dawn for doing the beginning part of taping the edges of the watercolor paper to cardboard. We started the project by painting the watercolor paper in a design of our choice the while it was pretty wet we sprinkled rock salt on it and spritzed with water then let them dry. We all had a different look when they were dry depending on how much water or salt was added. Great project and we can remember a great weekend every time we use this fun bookmark.

After lunch we either relaxed and headed out on a hore adventure to Coon Lake with Blake their guide or down to Rainbow Falls to cool off on the Rainbow Mist Trail. This time of year the Falls run high so the trail is more like the Rainbow Rain Trail but amazing views through the thundering amounts of water. Adventurous ladies heading out on the horse adventure rode up to Coon Lake seeing a bear and a deer on their trip. Back tot he Ranch in time for, you guessed it, dinner of prime rib with all the trimmings. YUM!

Sunday morning finds us sharing our projects from the past year and right up to and including projects in the making or completed while visiting the Ranch. Some great project and ideas for this winter to try.

A couple of the ladies sadly had to depart on Sunday boat but the rest of us continued to spin, knit and eat our way through the day. Life is good! After dinner we all gathered on the front deck for door prizes and some fun experience gathered while plying from both ends of a ball of yarn. We learned that many hands can sometimes be a wonderful thing.

Monday morning saw the remaining ladies heading down to catch their boat down lake. It was a great weekend with lots of fun and comradery stored up for another year. Thanks for making it such a fun year!