Estes Park Wool Market Adventures

It's lunch time! at Estes Park wool market and this is where our Saturday adventure begins.  It is always a must to stop at Haugen's for our fix of kibee (grilled lamb patty served with lettuce, tomato & delicious yogurt sauce). Yummy! 

Wool market is a place where youngsters can bring their livestock for judging.  The lamb judge is giving this gal's animal the once over.  Lots of bleeting is heard as the lambs are handled.

A walk through the alpaca tent offers the opportunity to learn how you can use alpaca fleeces.  This sample of soft down is tempting to touch and feel.

Tables are arranged with various handspun, hand knitted or woven alpaca products.

Good quality fleeces are offered for sale.

A super selection of display items give the visitor the chance to see up close how alpaca feels in the finished garment.  This is a lovely natural colored feather and fan knitted scarf in the making.

Warm and cozy are these wearables.

Want an Estes Park wool market 2012 shirt?  The merchandise table is ready for your purchase.

Inside the main vendor tent, we are treated to those who have traveled far and near to sell their wares.  Here you can most anything of natural fiber content.

These brightly dyed mohair overspun locks are always the hit of the sale.

Here are some wool rovings that are right for spinning.

Some vendors demonstated their craft during their sale pitch.

We found this bison fiber shawl on display in one booth.

Sorry--little blurry, but Brooks Farm yarns are outstanding and always a delight to touch and feel--a must buy if you are in the market for lovely quality fiber. 

This 'sherbet' colored yarn was a purchase from La Plata Farms .  It called my name as we walked by the booth.  It is 100% Wensleydale and will spin up heathery! (f there is such a word)

Bison farm vendors displayed this soft handwoven buffalo rug.

In the main arena, we watched several events take place.  This was the judging of pack alpacas.  Later leaping & limbo alpacas were featured--quite the fun show.  It was how high and low can you go with your alpaca.

Just a little late for wool fleece judgin (which is alright, as there are plenty of fleeces 'aging')  This was a ram fleece--received reserve champion

A Jacob fleece took a prize

It is always so much fun walking through the fleece barn--picking out the ones you would have given ribbons to.

Too bad the photo doesn't show the crimp on these locks--it was superb!

And the grand champion of white fleeces was this beauty!  and alas, it was already sold!

Near one of the back arenas we watched sheep shearing.  Looming in the background was the beginning of High Park wild fire, located west of Fort Collins--quite awesome to watch and know you can't do a thing to help.

The day wouldn't be complete without a walk through the animal barns.  The cashmere goats were resting after their judging feat.

And these Mo's (angora goats) were quite content to pose for a photo.

And there are the curious goats who want to eat your camera!  Wool market is always an adventure.  A place to meet old friends and enjoy the luxury of fiber.