Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival

Springtime in Maryland. I couldn't have asked for a better season to visit this state for the first time. I had been invited to the Sheep and Wool Festival by a myspace knitting friend, Sarah. What a gift! It was a new experience for me, traveling totally alone. Besides the speeding ticket I got 10 minutes outa Baltimore airport (first in 31 years!), I navigated well and arrived at the Sheraton Hotel in Columbia none the worse for wear.
The Festival was overwhelming and wonderful. Spending the day with Sarah, all that wool, live animals and spinning wheels galore had me dancing on a cloud. Bought a few things (cashmere yarn for baby, wonderful microfiber ribbon, and fingering yarn for Victorian beaded scarfs as Christmas gifts). Loved every minute of the day.
Tired, but happy, Sarah and I headed back to the Sheraton to regroup before she drove home. Just as we were about to walk in, two ladies stopped us with a bright "can we see your stash?". I was tickled! Two more knitters right here in my hotel. Well, well, well. I was in for a shock. They asked me if I was going to attend the ravelry.com party that night in the hotel. "Ravelry.com?" I asked. Their faces showed it all. Talking over each other, they excitedly relayed to me the wonder of the beta site. Then they invited me to the party-and here I thought I was going to be by myself knitting and watching T.V. all evening!I got to the party early as everyone was rushing around trying to get things set up. Remember, I thought I was gonna be alone in my room knitting my lace scarf all night, and lo and behold I found myself in the midst of a couple hundred excited knitters! I had died and gone to stitching heaven! I made many, many new friends, got to see new yarns not even on the market yet, and listened to the many stories of how ravelry.com was such a gift to the women gathered there.
I left Maryland on Monday, May 5, and early Tuesday morning I was at my computer typing my way onto the waiting list for Ravelry. I got my invitation to join the site last night, May 14. It is amazing. Simply amazing. I have found two friends right away, and regret that I didn't write down more names. I'm looking forward to spending much time organizing my stash, books, mags, needles and entering my info on my page. I can't wait to enter a type of yarn, or pattern, and see what comes up with other knitters who have used what I have. There are pictures aplenty, yarn swaps and sales, and more patterns than I have ever seen on a single site.Well, it's time to get back to my data entry. I'm excited to go back to Maryland next November for Stitches East. My hubby only has one condition-he gets to stay home! Works for both of us-I get to stay up late talking fiber, and he has full control of the remote!
Blessings,Dori