Connecticut...

I had hoped that our trip to New England would be highlighted by brilliant color.    So far, there is little color anywhere.    This is the nearby pond that we drive by most days.    Pretty but it needs to put on a show.

So, we drove to the NW corner of Connecticut where the tourists flock to see the colonial history and the fall extravaganza.    But not here either. 

 This weekend, the NY Sheep and Wool festival was in full swing.     I think it is probably the biggest in the country or even Europe.    They come to show their sheep, compete in dog sheep herding , sell their exotic and varied fleeces and offer the most prized yarns from independent breeders and the hoards line up to look and buy.          And of course, there is the food !!

I have read enough about it to understand that on Saturday, it is wall to wall and lines for everything are forever.    It was cold and even rained.    It is tradition to make a sweater, hat, scarf, mittens ....for wearing proudly at Rhinebeck.

After some debate and procrastination, we finally decided to drive over later on Sunday.   It's about 80 min to get there....over the river and thru the woods.  Very pretty back road  country drive.  There was some hint of color which gave me hope that Mother Nature will come thru eventually.     The crowds were diminished and no lines for the favored falafels, which we shared and  were delicious in the homemade pitas.    We enjoyed the sheep and llamas and after while, the yarns all began to look alike.    We chatted with one lady who raises sheep in eastern Colorado and brought her lovely yarns to sell.    I think we covered about 1/4 of the huge halls/tents  selling all things wool and accessories.   And it took us 2 hours to do that. It was cold and breezy and altho I had brought a poncho that  I knit, I choose a down jacket instead.   I did wear my hand knit hat tho !!

I'm glad we went and I don't have to do it again.    And the only thing we bought was lunch.  

Meanwhile, the boys continue to wow the crowds and judges in their Newtown High School Marching band competitions.    We went to see a 19 band event on Saturday.    It was cold and breezy, and we  bundled up and only stayed for 3 other groups.    Again, they took 1st in their division.    They are not a huge band, about 80, but they are very talented.   But they also work very hard in long after school sessions and all day on Saturdays.   

  https://youtu.be/ifzpG_snM4E      If you have the interest to watch the video, it is not the best.  The  parent/videographer seemed to be biased towards the percussion (who are very good) and often missed the action on the rest of the field.   But you can get an idea and I like the music.