Snowy Retreat

Cinde P. plans a Fiber Retreat at Togwotee Lodge twice a year when the Lodge is officially closed (between seasons) in November and April. This year's November retreat was Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I considered going to the retreat in the past, but life always seemed to get in the way.

Sue asked me a couple of weeks ago if I wanted to go with her for just the day - Saturday. I agreed.

WYDOT webcam of Togwotee Pass
Friday, November 4, 2017

Then Thursday it began to snow in the mountains, it continued to snow on Friday, and on Saturday, the snow was still falling.  The roads looked pretty dicey on the WYDOT webcams and. . .

Togwotee Mountain Lodge webcam
Thursday, November 3, 2017

the webcam at the Lodge didn't look any better.  I've lived in Wyoming nearly all my life and have driven in some nasty conditions during the winter, so I tend to avoid being out on the roads when they look like this. The weather report for Saturday predicted even more snow on the Togwotee Pass. I dreaded traveling up the mountain on the snowy roads.

Friday afternoon, I texted Sue to tell her I was going to pass on the trip. Since I didn't need to get up early, I stayed up late (12:30 AM) working on a quilt and slept through my 6:30 AM alarm. At 8:00 AM my doorbell rang, and then my cell phone rang: Sue was standing on my door step.

After a bit of discussion about the road conditions, we agreed to head west. If the roads were too bad, we would turn around and head back. I threw on some clothes, brewed a quick cup of tea, and we were on the road by 8:20 AM.

The first 70 miles, we drove through intermittent fog, but the roads were basically dry. Then just outside of Dubois, it began to snow, and the roads were covered with snow just as the webcams had shown. A couple of snowplows were headed east, and traffic was light.

Slowly, we worked our way west, up the mountain, and over the Continental Divide to Togwotee Mountain Lodge.  We arrived at the Lodge about 11:20 AM, and I'd estimate 20 inches of snow was in the parking lot.

Togwotee Mountain Lodge
November 4, 2017

Inside the Lodge, thirty women who had arrived on Friday were busily working and chatting.

knitters and crocheters

A small group was near the large fireplace knitting and crocheting and some had spinning wheels ready to be used as well.

more knitters and crocheters

Another part of the large room was occupied by several quilters. They had quite a set-up with cutting mats, ironing boards, sewing stations, and table for laying out quilt blocks.

Sue O. (in orange shirt) gave needle tatting lessons after lunch

view from my knitting chair

The large windows offered a view of some older cabins. It was lovely to knit, visit, and watch the snow fall.

view from my knitting chair

By the time Sue and I left at 3 PM another three inches had fallen. The snow was up to my knees as we walked to the vehicle. Again, we met a snow plow, but our lane had not been cleared. 

Sue did a great job driving. The road was clear by the time we got to the Brooks Lake road, and in Dubois, the roads were dry. 

We talked about attending the retreat in April and staying the whole weekend. I just hope it doesn't snow . . .

Togwotee Mountain Lodge webcam
Sunday, November 5, 2017