SOTF NORTHWEST GATHERING 2024

For a few reasons, I have been dithering about whether I would blog about this event. A “Gathering” is an annual event that is held in each of the different regions and draws many of the sisters. This year’s Northwest Gathering (our region) was held in Mount Vernon, Washington and drew about 150 women to enjoy the festive time.

Checking into the Fairgrounds — the venue for this event — involved a long line of camping rigs.

Waiting in line I was able to get a photo of our friend Nese driving her well decorated camper onto the grounds.

And then we were there ;’-).

Normally, at any of our outings, I announce to everyone that I keep a blog that might include a photo of some of them. I ask that anyone who does not want their picture on my blog to please let me know and I will bed sure to not include them.

This time I was not really able to do that as I would surely miss someone of this large group, and might post a photo in error. This meant that I would not be able to post anyone’s picture that I had not gotten permission from. That makes blogging about the event very difficult as I often do post such photos doing some activity. And there were so many wonderful activities!

One of those activities was the bike ride that Susan and I led for 16 of the women. Here, I post distant photos or ones that are unidentifiable just to give an idea of the fun.

Two modes of transportation here…

We gather up in the shade of the tree on this sunny and hot day.

After checking that everyone had bikes in good enough shape, a little of a safety talk, and a brief description of the route, we were on our way.

First stop was a visit to our friends, Shirley and Sherry’s Alpaca Farm. This gave us a chance to check how everyone was doing as well as some photo ops of the alpaca.

Everyone happy and doing fine, we continued along the almost traffic free country roads with views of Mount Baker, farm lands and farm animals to stop for lunch at Snow Goose Farm Produce stand — the halfway point of our journey. Bikes parked at the outside, we grabbed tables to enjoy our packed lunches, supplemented with fresh fruit and other goodies from the produce market.

One of the old barns along our route,

Soon we were back on the route for our return to camp and Susan got this photo of our regrouping at the bridge.

Back at camp we all talked of the great time we had. A very successful bike outing for all.

So many activities that I cannot blog about but will at least mention:

Horseback riding (I did not participate in)

Crab lunch cruise. (Nese gave permission)

Mat stenciling

Hilarious live auction with the BEST auctioneer (funds raised at gatherings always for local charity — this time donated to NOAH, animal rescue).

More fun and belly laughing at the stick horse rodeo — bronc busting and all.

Cigar Box guitar making (and playing)

Bigfoot Bingo every evening.

Plus, breakfast and dinner was provided every day.

A small sampling of the many trailers and rigs that were at the Fairgrounds for this GRAND Event.

Four days of Fun. Frivolity and Friends as Sisters On The Fly live up to “making girls out of women’.

Of course there were more activities – so many I could not recall all of them, but surely the Cowgirl Prom deserves mention ;’-). No photos of that without faces ;’-(.