DISCLAIMER: Not all photos are mine, we shared and I can't possibly give credit to everyone so I'll just give a disclaimer and say thank you to all. This is a lengthy post...
When Hubby and I did a frame off restoration on our '57 Aloha I had no intention of ever towing her. I planned to leave that up to Hubby and go whenever it worked for him to take me camping.
One evening at the Mt. Baker Vintage Trailer Rally, I was in Annie making a potluck dish and there was a knock at my door. Jean and Rene' asked if they could come in and talk to me. Uhhmm, sure, it's tiny and hot in here, but come on in. They gave me a charm that was engraved with Sisters make the best friends. They told me about Sisters on the Fly and that they wanted me to join and go with them to Northwest Gathering in Cle Elum the next summer. They told me they thought I was a good fit for SOTF. I was hesitant, I explained that I couldn't tow Annie, I really was an introvert, gosh, it's nice you asked and I'm touched but I don't think I can do it. Jean, Kathy, and Rene' kept in touch over the winter and with their encouragement and Hubby's driving lessons, I joined, hit the road and never looked back.
This year the Northwest Gathering was in Silverton, OR. Since I live in Lynden and knew I'd hit traffic all the way down I-5, I left a day early and planned to spend the night at Rene's place. This turned out to be fortuitous as I got a rock chip/crack on the way down and Jeremy and Rene' own Downriver Vintage Trailer Restoration. Rene' installed a new window for me. Thanks darlin'!
We met up with Kristen and Shelly in Woodland and caravaned to Silver Spur RV in Silverton. We set up camp, connected with old friends and then met at Jean's trailer where she hosted a cocktail hour for all of the new SOTF. It was a Mexico themed dinner and evening.
Don't mind my flower crown, I saw them on Etsy for a hundred bucks and made mine for three using stuff from the Dollar Tree. haha
The next morning we got on school buses and were taken to the Santiam Train where we went in petticoat junction style for a train ride with a box lunch and and a cash bar.
There is a junk store close to the train station and yee haw, those women love junk. That guy didn't know what hit him. A windfall that he's going to be talking about for a long time.
If someone says to the sisters the word petticoat, watch out!
Our train excursion was a fun day planned by the committee. It was all of the good stuff that goes with SOTF, a lot of laughs, boots and petticoats, and some good visits. I got caught up with Kate, she drives up from San Diego, and it's good stuff to reconnect with her.
When you're at a sister's event you're living in your own trailer. After a large group excursion this loud mouth introvert runs to her trailer for some down time. It's one of the best parts for me to have Annie there for privacy and alone time, yet I'm camping next to 99 of my best friends.
Isn't this just the best neighborhood?
That evening we were on our own and a few of us went to Seven Brides Brewery. It has a cute story and good beer and it was on my list of places to visit.
On Friday I went with Kristen, Shelly and Kathy to tour the Gordon House. It's a Frank Lloyd Wright home in Silverton. We also went to visit the Oregon Garden. I am now on a quest to visit more of the Frank Lloyd Wright Homes.
We started at the gardens, then left to tour the house, then to the garden's resort for lunch on the patio.
We saw a new sister having lunch alone and invited her to join us. It was a wonderful visit with gorgeous scenery of the gardens. Welcome to the sisters, Dondy! After lunch we took the tram tour of the garden. The garden and house pictures are mixed because that was how the day went for us.
Our docent was very good at his job. I managed docents for a museum for nineteen years and trust me our tour was led by one of the best. So many stories and details yet he kept us on schedule.
It's an art.
On the first day I spotted this field behind the maintenance barn filled with bachelor buttons. I told my tribe that we were going to have photo shoot on western night. They agreed.
The forecast was for hot weather so I packed a pool and met new friends. If you inflate and fill a pool they will gather! Even though the water was clean it looked otherwise.
The last evening was Hawaiian night and Rene' hosted a cocktail hour before dinner.
There was a band, a photo booth and fondue to finish the gathering.
And there was a cribbage game for some tired sissies.
Another wonderful gathering in the books. I didn't meet this sister pictured below and she looks like she is a fun gal so I plan to go next year to meet her and others, reconnect with the new friends I met this year and spend time with my tribe.
