And South from Alaska

I have just returned from back-to-back trips to Eureka, Montana and Petersburg, Alaska. I am having a hard time deciding which trip I enjoyed the most.


Eureka is in the far corner of Montana from me. You can get farther from Red Lodge and still stay in Montana but you need four wheel drive. I taught classes for three days before the annual Eureka Outdoor Quilt Show that happens the first Saturday of August each year. I had to get back home to fly to Petersburg so I did not attend the show but did get to help in the preparation. It is really great to see a whole community get together to celebrate quilts.

While in Eureka I stayed at the Pruett House bed and breakfast. I woke up every morning thinking “I’m not worthy”. If you are looking for a great quilt retreat next August, make a reservation at the Pruett House and sign up for a couple classes in Eureka, Montana and see the outdoor quilt show.

I got to spend 4 sunny days in Petersburg, Alaska. They claim to have over 100 inches of rain a year but the weather was beautiful for me. I stayed at the Feathered Nest Bed and Breakfast in Petersburg. Liz is a quilter so she understands everything a quilter could need and will make you feel like you are home. I loved walking around Petersburg. I had taken a rain jacket just to insure it would not rain and it was so warm out, I kept leaving it in every shop I stopped at. In an hour or so I would figure it out and my jacket was always there when I went back. I kept thinking that this time I would lose it and it would start raining but it never happened.

Classes were not as full as I would have liked but when you looked out the window, it was hard to get that good-fishing-on-a-sunny-day image out of your head so I do understand. I ate their great fresh fish three times a day and am having a hard time adjusting back home. Next time I am in Petersburg I will be fishing, you can be sure. I could always ship those old quilts home to make room for fresh fish in my luggage. Petersburg quilt week is the second week of August if you want to go. It is right on the ferry route so you can stop in Petersburg and continue to tour the rest of Southeast Alaska. They have a great little quilt shop and several long-arm quilters to visit plus you can get fresh fish almost anywhere along the way.

John