Woodworking Vacation

The week of July 14 I will be attending a class at the Northwest Woodworking Studio in Portland, Or. I'll be attending the Handsawing, Handsaws and Saw benches with Christopher Schwarz. This is the first time I've taken a week long woodworking class (woodworking vacation if you will). The other classes I've taken have been short half or full day classes at the local Woodcraft store. I did learn things in these classes, but the time was too short to really explore the given topic. It will be interesting to see what a week long class on handsawing will be like.

I've always enjoyed Chris Schwarz's writing in Popular Woodworking and Woodworking Magazine. His blogs are also very entertaining and educational over at Woodworking Magazine and Lost Art Press. It will be exciting to finally meet Chris. He has always been friendly and helpful when I have emailed him questions about woodworking and tools. I'm sure he will be just as pleasant in-person.

This brings up an interesting topic, Hobby Vacations. At least in my family this type of vacation is starting to become "common". I've already found a few other woodworking schools I would love to attend, on future vacations. My wife is a stamper and scrapbooker, and she has found a few places/schools she wants to do on a vacation. By brother is gold prospector and he is signed up for a gold prospecting class. My sisters are great cooks and they have already attended several cooking conferences. How many other people are combining their hobbies and passions into vacations?