Neil Smith Prairie

Here's some links for the prairie, if you ever get a chance check it out someday. There are quite a few bison there, but the best time of day to see them is at sun up or sun down. We saw quite a few deer out there as well, I don't know if there are elk out there yet or not.

http://www.fws.gov/midwest/nealsmith/

http://www.tallgrass.org/

I can't wait to go back, I want to take better and more pics of the buffalo. I have plans to return this winter, after it's snowed to take pics as well. Prairie City isn't far from here, it's a nice drive.

LeClerc Loom & Buffalo

For every season there is a... Loom? John and I went to Ottumwa yesterday to pick up my "new to me" loom. I received a phone call from from a woman whowanted to sell her loom. It's a LeClerc loom in mint condition, 4 harness, 42" wide. The loom came with a slug of yarn and fibers as well as the standard issue shuttle boats etc...

Afterwards, on our way home, we stopped at the Neil Smith Prairie. Buffalo, Buffalo everywhere. It was so exhilirating to see animals that big up close, oh and I might add quite terrifying as they can be very unpredictable. The one males head was less than two feet from the door of my truck. The pic I took was very blurry, I odn't know if it was because he was bobbing his head back and forth or that my hands were shaking that badly - from the excitement. I imagine it was both.

Felted

More felted sweaters. I bought three more wool sweaters at the local Salvation Army. I'll take pics when they are done felting in the washer. I did score two sweaters for myself, one wool striped creation the other a Scottish vest. I'm planning to dye the wool vest with Cochineal to a deep cranberry color. It's currently natural with natural brown and natural grey colors.