Kaniksu Folk School's fall season arrives

2:20 a.m. is too early to board a train, if you ask me. 

Eyes half open, bags in hand, I stepped onto the train. My mind raced with anticipation of the days to come. Just 2,000 miles to go and I will be dipping my toes in the Atlantic. I tossed and turned with the movement of the train praying for sleep to take over, yet it never came. Meanwhile, I was missing the beauty of North Idaho and Montana.

I awoke as we cruised into Glacier National Park. I kept my eyes peeled for any wildlife, saying to myself, "Let me see a grizzly, oh please let me see a grizzly!" Unfortunately, I saw no grizzly. 

But that didn’t take away from the beauty of the first snow as it touched the peaks of Glacier for the beginning of the next season.

Hearing the constant clickety-clack and feeling the gentle sway, back and forth, the train lulled me into one of the deepest sleeps I have had in a while. That night, the rain pounded and thunder cracked, and I remained in my bed fast asleep. 

I will always be thankful for that incredible night's rest. And of course, my newly painted pink toes in the soft sand of the Atlantic Ocean.

With much-needed rest and the refreshment of some time away from the desk, a new season of Kaniksu Folk School classes emerged. Like the constant movements and sounds of a passenger train, there is comfort in returning to the patterns that elude us during busy summer months. While fall is busy too, in its own ways, it is the perfect time for discovery and friendship. 

You can find it at Kaniksu Folk School. Beginner-level, small group classes for adults are taught by traditional skills artisans who enjoy sharing their craft and building community. Find yours at one or more of the classes below:

• Sept. 15 — Herbal walk, Meryl Kastin, 1-4 p.m.

• Sept. 24 — Beginning blacksmithing: Forged leaf, Nick Belfry, 6-8:30 p.m.

• Sept. 27 — Fireside dances, Lindsey Hoyer, 7-9 p.m.

• Sept. 28 — Making and drawing with natural inks, Amy Stephensen, 10 a.m.-1 p.m.

• Sept. 29 — Intro to Sashiko, Hillary DeCecchis, 1-3 p.m.

• Oct. 5 — Basketry foraging, Brianna Larson, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 

• Oct. 6 — Herbal walk, Meryl Kastin, 1-4 p.m.

• Oct. 13 — Intro to Sashiko, Hillary DeCecchis, 1-3 p.m.

• Oct. 15 — Hammered cooper craft, Weezil Samter, 5-7 p.m.; all ages welcome.

• Oct. 19 — Bladesmithing II, Nick Belfry, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. 

• Oct. 20 — Winter medicine making, Laura Clemmons, noon-3 p.m. 

• Oct. 28 — Mushroom foraging, Nick Holcomb, 8 a.m.-noon

• Nov. 2 — Tree and mushroom carving, Shaun Deller. 9 a.m.-noon

• Nov. 8 — Pack baskets, Amy Stephensen, 4-8 p.m.

• Nov. 9 — Pack baskets, Amy Stephensen, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

• Nov. 15 — Hammered pewter bracelets, Weezil Samter, 5-7 p.m.

• Nov. 16 — Carving hobbits, Shaun Deller, 9 a.m.-noon; prior carving experience required.

For additional class details and to register, go online to kaniksu.org/kaniksufolkschool.

Brianna Larson is the coordinator of the Kaniksu Folk School.