A community created to encourage fiber artists
Hope Pass
Hello! I'm Rachel Carpenter. In July 2019, I embarked on a thru-hike that would forever change my life. With a 40+ pound backpack that included a skein of yarn and knitting needles for sock-making during downtime, I set off solo on the Colorado Trail. After several weeks of hiking, a storm over Lake Ann Pass left me cold, wet, and battling a sinus infection. Realizing I needed medical help to continue, I hitched a ride into town from the top of Cottonwood Pass with a kind couple and their sweet dog, Bear.
They not only took me to the health center in Buena Vista but also invited me to their home nearby. After my appointment, they showed me around town and helped me find a hotel to rest and recover. Over the next few days, I wandered the charming streets of Buena Vista, falling in love with its small-town warmth and stunning mountain backdrop.
Then 2020 arrived, and the world turned upside down.
Like many, the pandemic prompted my husband and me to reevaluate our lives. After decades of working as an engineer at Toyota while writing novels on evenings and weekends, he was ready to pursue writing full-time. With our kids grown and the corporate world behind us, we knew it was time to take a leap—and I knew exactly where we should go.
In August 2021, we packed up and moved to the beautiful mountain town of Buena Vista, CO. Nestled in the Collegiate Peaks, the area is a haven for artists, crafters, and ranchers, with a vibrant fiber community that inspires me every day. I quickly joined the Heart of Colorado Fiber Guild and a sip-and-stitch group in nearby Salida, but I also wanted to create something closer to home.
In November 2024, I brought together a few friends at Main Street Tavern to start our own sip-and-stitch group. I’m thrilled to be part of this incredible community and grateful every day for the journey that led me here.