Wonderlust Expeditions
HomeFiber Trails of the Upper Rio Grande
Come follow the interwoven strands of southwestern arts, culture, anthropology, and history on this exploration of fiber arts from fleece to finished product! Northern New Mexico’s vivid red arroyos and pine-forested mountains are home to a rich array of weaving, spinning, and felting traditions. Navajo and Spanish cultural influences converge and collide with modern influences to create an artistic landscape that is both ancient and dynamic. On this trip, participants indulge their interest in all things wool-related with the added fun of hands-on experience! This is a journey for devotees of southwest arts, culture, and history, in which interested amateurs and full-fledged fiber artists alike will find much to enrich their knowledge and appreciation.
October 2~7, 2018
Abiquiu and Taos, New Mexico
Our journey begins with a visit to a sheep camp in Carson National Forest where we’ll witness firsthand the rugged life of a shepherd, followed by a day of experimenting with traditional dye plants and spinning techniques. We’ll learn about the vital importance of sheep in Navajo culture and livelihood, and the care and preservation of the regional Churro breed. We’ll explore a variety of galleries, museums, and studios and participate in a simple craft-felting session. At a local cooperative specializing in recycled fibers, we’ll have the opportunity to try out floor and table looms and create a simple rag rug.
Our travels culminate with the opening of the 20th annual Taos Wool Festival, a spectacular event featuring world-class artisans, fiber-bearing animals, demonstrations, and workshops, all showcased in the charming and historic community of Taos.
Our base of operations is a comfortable campsite at Ghost Ranch, a beautiful property in the red sandstone hills north of Abiquiu that became famous as painter Georgia O’Keefe’s second home. The ranch’s richly hued, rolling hills and expansive vistas are the subject of many O’Keefe paintings as well as the inspiration for local textile artists throughout many centuries. We’ll spend time enjoying the ranch’s hiking trails and visiting the on-site Florence Hawley Ellis Museum of Anthropology, which holds an extensive collection of regional artifacts from the paleo cultures of 10,000 years ago to modern Pueblo creations.
Join us for this one-of-a-kind learning adventure!
Price: $1080.00 per person (based on double occupancy). Group size limit: 10 guests
Includes all accommodations, meals, and transportation during trip; guided gallery and studio tours; hands-on workshops; optional airport pickup and drop off in Albuquerque, NM; and guide services throughout the trip. Does not include airfare or other travel expenses.
Trip difficulty rating: 1 (Easy)
Lodging at Ghost Ranch will be in spacious tents equipped with comfortable cot beds, mats, pillows, and bedding. There is a nice bathroom and shower house in the center of the campground. Wonderlust chef Shane Blair will provide delicious, healthy breakfasts and dinners in camp and bag lunches to carry with us on our daily excursions. Dietary restrictions can be accommodated with advance notice. We'll have the opportunity to enjoy some of the best traditional Upper Rio Grande cuisine that Taos has to offer at the end or outset, respectively, of the trip. Ghost Ranch's property also includes common areas such as a library and indoor gathering rooms to explore at our leisure.
Your guide Sarah Drummond grew up immersed in the history and artistic atmosphere of the southwest. She is an enthusiastic knitter as well as a trained art historian and life-long scholar of local fiber traditions.
Photo by Wendy Shattil
