When Ann mentioned that she had found an Alpaca farm and mill just outside of Williams my inner fiber addict kicked into full attention. "I am in!", I told her. Barbara and Rick had driven up from Phoenix for a few days of photography with us and they were willing to go along. I loved the excursion. While the farm and mill are on the smaller side for such an enterprise we found that the personal tour and attention more than made up for it. I had never been inside a mill before to see how the shorn animal fiber is converted into the yarn I treasure.

It starts here.  Alpacas are shorn in the spring.  It did not appear that they would be able to grow enough winter coat to keep them warm.  Marcella, our guide, said that their coat grows very quickly when it starts to really cool off. — It starts here. Alpacas are shorn in the spring. It did not appear that they would be able to grow enough winter coat to keep them warm. Marcella, our guide, said that their coat grows very quickly when it starts to really cool off.

This is one of two HUGE and friendly dogs that live within the Alpaca enclosures to protect them from predators.  They are considered 'working dogs' but when people show up they seem to be more playful than workful. — This is one of two HUGE and friendly dogs that live within the Alpaca enclosures to protect them from predators. They are considered 'working dogs' but when people show up they seem to be more playful than workful.

After fiber is washed it must be 'carded' to remove the larger pieces of unwanted material such as leaves, twigs, etc.  It is also the first step in getting the fibers aligned in such a way that they can then be spun.  This is part of the … — After fiber is washed it must be 'carded' to remove the larger pieces of unwanted material such as leaves, twigs, etc. It is also the first step in getting the fibers aligned in such a way that they can then be spun. This is part of the carding process.

Further along in the process, fiber that has been carded is rolled onto a felt covered wheel where it is moved along and will ultimately become more and more aligned.

There is something wonderful about photographing machines.  They are so interesting and can be captured in such an artful way. — There is something wonderful about photographing machines. They are so interesting and can be captured in such an artful way.

Coming off the felt shown in the image above.

My mom would have loved to spin this fiber.

Different animals and different pre-processing treatment lead to differences in the fiber that are readily apparent in both looks and feel of the fiber.

One of several complex machines that take the fiber and begin the process of winding it onto spools of various plies of yarn.

Almost like a magic act, the fiber goes from loosely gathered into a single string of well twisted yarn.

Multiple single strings are joined together and rewound to create thicker plied yarn.

Machines can make great art.  How about this for a mandala? — Machines can make great art. How about this for a mandala?

This is a 'hank' just before being twisted.

Fall is in the air and this was a purposeful design to celebrate fall.

There are lots of photo opportunities beyond waterfalls in the Columbia Gorge region. There are two mountains that show up, Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, although certainly Mt. Hood is the better known and every photographer wants at least one good photograph to add to their collection. There are two lakes(Trillium and Clear) that are recommended for getting photographs of Mt. Hood as part of the composition (hopefully reflections). Plus, there are lots of wineries, orchards, a couple of lavender fields and an alpaca farm to keep any healthy photographer on vacation very happy. Enjoy the variety!

Love the black sign.  Yes, the USDA recommends washing before eating any U-Pick fruit (and paying for it)! — Love the black sign. Yes, the USDA recommends washing before eating any U-Pick fruit (and paying for it)!

The alpaca were shorn in May.  There is a full service yarn shop on the farm where my fiber addiction was satisfied with the purchase of lots of yarn. A couple of skeins came from several alpacas at the farm! — The alpaca were shorn in May. There is a full service yarn shop on the farm where my fiber addiction was satisfied with the purchase of lots of yarn. A couple of skeins came from several alpacas at the farm!

We picked wild blackberries and raspberries.  Store berries will never quite be acceptable from now on.  The blueberries were huge and sweet. I have never had such good cherries.  Santa Rosa plums are my new favorite. Peaches were eas… — We picked wild blackberries and raspberries. Store berries will never quite be acceptable from now on. The blueberries were huge and sweet. I have never had such good cherries. Santa Rosa plums are my new favorite. Peaches were easy to peel and even easier to eat. The pears were scheduled be harvested over the next several weeks.

Oh my, the smell!  Oh my, the bees! — Oh my, the smell! Oh my, the bees!

These older bridges are narrow.  It costs a buck to cross.  Very scary driving Mellie across! — These older bridges are narrow. It costs a buck to cross. Very scary driving Mellie across!

Every time we drove down I-84 we mentioned this prominent protruding rock.  But, it was not a photo one can get from the road.  Ann took a hike. . . now we have it.  Thanks Ann. — Every time we drove down I-84 we mentioned this prominent protruding rock. But, it was not a photo one can get from the road. Ann took a hike. . . now we have it. Thanks Ann.

Mt. Hood from Japanese Gardens in Portland

Trillium Lake where Ann was 'outed' as a real photographer when she radioed that she would be late getting back to the car because she was 'stopping to take pictures'!!!  We all raised high fives and gave a hoot hoot!  You rock Ann. — Trillium Lake where Ann was 'outed' as a real photographer when she radioed that she would be late getting back to the car because she was 'stopping to take pictures'!!! We all raised high fives and gave a hoot hoot! You rock Ann.

Mt. Adams from the small town of Hood River

Fruit stands are such fun.  You can pick your own, get fresh cider and packaged fruit and take tons of photos of flowers, goats and old gas pumps! — Fruit stands are such fun. You can pick your own, get fresh cider and packaged fruit and take tons of photos of flowers, goats and old gas pumps!

On a path along Clear Lake.  Rain was eminent.  There were to be no photos of Mt. Hood (not visible) and too much wind for reflections of any kind.  We did not hang around there long. — On a path along Clear Lake. Rain was eminent. There were to be no photos of Mt. Hood (not visible) and too much wind for reflections of any kind. We did not hang around there long.

I was driving too fast for Tom to get the top of Mt. Hood!  LOL — I was driving too fast for Tom to get the top of Mt. Hood! LOL

David offers up something to think about.  He sent me two photos.  They were the same in every regard except where he chose to focus.  Here we see the flowers in sharp focus. — David offers up something to think about. He sent me two photos. They were the same in every regard except where he chose to focus. Here we see the flowers in sharp focus.

In this image David has focused on the mountain.  We often have discussions on focus, how much is needed, where should it be and how to get the point in focus that we want.  Good photos either way.  This trip certainly offered us lots… — In this image David has focused on the mountain. We often have discussions on focus, how much is needed, where should it be and how to get the point in focus that we want. Good photos either way. This trip certainly offered us lots of opportunities to play around with depth of field and mastering sharp (if desired) focus.

Yes!  Lefty was with us.  I am surprised he does not have a red stained mouth from all those cherries!  We know what Ann focused on! — Yes! Lefty was with us. I am surprised he does not have a red stained mouth from all those cherries! We know what Ann focused on!

Thanks so much to the friends who made this post possible. It is a blessing to have good friends 'show up' with enthusiasm, excitement and cameras! Certainly, shooting with them and with Cory in Redmond has added a richness to our travels that will be treasured for years to come. If my mother were alive she would go over this post again and again. She would call about mid-morning and chuckle that she was not done yet. She had the privilege of meeting everyone except David. She would remind me how lucky I was to have friends such as these. She would be right, of course! Thank you.

Alpaca Farm and Mill

Mountains, Lakes and Valleys

Index