This is a rare opportunity to visit the Crochet Guild of Alaska, a Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) member, as a guest host in September 2024. This was scheduled 18 months ahead of time.
Upon getting to Anchorage, you realize you are not at home with the airport displays. You know you are in for a treat.
The guild opened up bookings to fill in Langley Lodge, Camp Maranatha, Alaska District Church of the Nazarene at Bear Lake for the first time. It was about 1.5 hours from Anchorage. It was the 25th anniversary of the guild, and they wanted to celebrate by inviting more people outside of the guild to come and enjoy.
It's unknown whether they will do this again. They said planning to have non-local guests was too much for the committee to manage. Nevertheless, I feel privileged to have come to Alaska.
There were 17 locals and 13 out-of-towners.
Non-locals arranged to rent a car at the airport to drive to the lake. Some people car pooled with each other to keep the costs in check.
Upon arrival, the lodge isn't something for a high-end traveller to get excited about. However, it has everything you need for a decent sleep, and the camp is set up to meet your needs. You must bring your hygiene products such as soap, shampoo and more. We knew that in advance.
The building has two meeting spaces. We only used the primary level for meetings but occupied both floors for sleeping quarters.
The rooms are rustic with a bathroom. Most of the rooms had two single beds to accommodate retreats and multiple people who were not couples to enjoy. The guild assigned the rooms to guests. Being the only guy for the retreat, I was given the double bedroom so as not to waste the space of a possible empty bed in my room.
Common Space
The common meeting space has a fridge, just like each room, including a toaster oven and microwave. There is also an ice maker and hot water dispenser for coffee or tea. Each guest was asked to bring a snack. Honestly, so many snacks weren't eaten as the camp provided breakfast, lunch, and supper for each guest.
Locals brought essentials such as a ball winder and swift for those of us who brought yarn in hank format. These were very handy.
I did make a mistake. I had arranged for yarn to go to Alaska based on the number of guests. There was no yarn for me. I must have failed to understand that the number provided didn't include me. I had bought Qiviut at the Musk Ox Farm and had it with me. An out-of-owner brought yarn and donated me a couple of balls. I only used one and donated the other to a local charity.
I'm mentally checking the numbers twice and ensuring I have yarn for myself if I am the host or bring it from home.
They gave me a zipper bag to transport my work during the retreat. I gave it back at the end of the retreat.
The guild likes to play left, centre and right dice games. Each participant puts in $5 to play. I cannot bring myself to gamble, even though it's just fun. I've watched people in my life ruin themselves through gambling, and I fear that I may get the 'bug' to start that behaviour, so I don't engage and just sit out and watch people have fun with it.
Food Services
Food services are in the mess hall. Take a short walk along the road or walk the scenic path along the waterfront. Those who cannot walk long distances drove over. It takes about five or so minutes to walk over. In fairness, it was raining, too.
The mess hall appears new, but it's a lovely place. The food is served cafeteria style, and it's fast and efficient. You either want it or you don't: one protein, one vegetable, salad, and a dessert. I didn't feel hungry after eating, as the portion was just right, but the snack counter back at Langley Lodge was stuffed to the max with options.
It rained most of the time, but we had one full day without rain, and it was glorious. A fire pit was planned and executed perfectly.
The camp started the fire for us, and we just kept it. Guild members brought in food to be roasted, such as Jet Puff, Marshmallows and S'mores.
Gathering Firepit
We had a fire after 10 p.m.—the story sharing. One local member stayed with us until the end, and we rioted. She shared so much about the region. We were hanging off every word to learn more about Alaska.
This moment was one of my strongest memories.
The Northern Lights On Display
On the evening of the fire pit, a non-local got a notification through an app that the Northern Lights would be at 3 a.m. MG and I made a plan to get up. Two other people got up as well. We tried to convince others, but you know, beauty sleep!
What was witnessed was nothing short of spectacular.
Unscheduled Field Trip
I ran out of yarn to play with. I asked a local, with whom I had made fast friends, to take me back to the Musk Ox Farm. From here, it morphed into going with six other people.
We got a Palmer, Alaska tour, including a stop at a local brewery called the Matanuska Brewing Company. I possibly had one of the best tomato soup and grilled cheese lunches ever. We went to a gift shop and the Bigfoot Art Gallery. That is an excellent photo moment there. I'm terrified of Bigfoot, and I don't know why.
We also hit up Fiber N' Ice yarn shop. As a group, we did some damage there on our wallets! Loved it. Definitely a place to shop at. Good luck just picking one ball or hank of yarn. We had them wind our hanks up into balls.
During this outing, we learned so much more about Alaska and points of the internet.
Back to the Retreat
The guild committed had cupcakes made that were so kewl.
Yurapik Drummers and Dancers
This was such a special moment for me. The storytelling and learning to dance were so unique. What is a privilege? Valerie, the main speaker, was so engaging. We had supper with her on a small table in the mess hall. We laughed so hard at her stories; she caught us off guard with such fun humour.
Finally
I would like to thank Yarnspirations for arranging for the shipment of the generation yarn donation to Alaska. I had four balls of yarn per guest.
If you are thinking about joining this guild, you will find more information here. Membership is really cheap, in my opinion. They are involved in community drives to help others. There are currently 30 members, and they are looking for more people to join.
They do two retreats yearly—one in March and the other in September. As a local member, you can decide if you want to attend. Of course, you must pay for the added perks such as lodging and food services.
Mikey Provided Thru Yarnspirations and the Most Self Designed Patterns for the Retreat
It was quickly realized that retreaters don't need formal classes. I presented everything up front. I answered questions as they came as people worked through the steps if they had questions.
For the out-of-towners, for many, it was a trip of a lifetime. To experience something so unique. It was fun.
If they open this up to the public again, go a few days early to experience local tourist spots. The camp is in the middle of nowhere. You will want to get your tourism points of interest done before or after the retreat.
Materials Provided
Each guest got two balls of Bernat Symphony yarn.
They also received two balls of Bernat Plush yarn.
I Presented 5 Projects
Several people finished the interwoven cowl.
If you re thinking to join this guild, you will find them at
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