Llama Trekking in Yellowstone

Last Tuesday, Joan and I had the wonderful opportunity to experience a llama trek with Jackson Hole Llamas. It was, without a doubt, one of the experiences of our lives. Spending 4 days, 5 nights with great friends (3 other alpaca/llama people, and 1 newbie), 10 fabulously well behaved, calm beautiful llamas, and 3 outstanding guides who were chefs, naturalists, and superb outdoor experts was the best way to spend each of our special birthdays.

The scenery in Yellowstone at this time of year was superlative. The 6 mile hike to the first campsite was a gentle introduction to the week...when we arrived in the campsite - a beautiful meadow, forrested campfire area and a stream running by, we hoped we were in for a treat! When the double rainbow was revealed after a quick rainshower, we knew...

It only improved over the course of the week with Mama/Baby Moose sighting, hot spring bathing at the base of an enormous waterfall, wild raspberry and huckleberry picking and each hike a lovely surprise.

Book your hike for 2011 as they will fill up... August/September are the best months and you can't go wrong with www.jhllamas.com.

Fiber Fantastic Coming to West Ranch

We are getting excited about our annual fiber event on August 15. We are hosting with Silver Springs Alpacas, Purple Mist Alpacas and Ranch of the Oaks. All are welcome to come and learn more about the myriad uses of alpaca fiber and also to share projects. Spinning, dyeing, felting, knitting, crochet, sorting, skirting etc. a one-day crash course!

Meanwhile, things at the Ranch are hopping. We are waiting on two more very pregnant moms and then we have a few weeks off before the next wave of cria is due. The five that are the most recent, (two Manchu cria, one Diego, two Barreda) are certainly keeping the Nursery Pen hopping and have been entertaining the Ranch visitors to no end.

Finally, the plans are beginning to evolve for Camelidynamics in October. We are really looking forward to having Marty back for the 4th year at West Ranch. We know that we will learn something new again as we always have in the past.

New Cria on the Ranch

Well, the nursery pen has been very busy... there are 4 bouncing babies running around the pen, keeping each other and the dams quite busy.

Congratulations to Eddie Jones on the arrival of Ariana's little female out of Diego and Sedona's little male out of Luke. Congratulations to Joan on the arrival of Dove's little female out of Manchu and to yours truly on the safe arrival of a little male out of Titania and Manchu. The quality of the babies only gets better!!!

Plans are firming up for the Fiber Fantastic, so join us on August 14 and 15 for a fun-filled weekend.

Welcome to the West Ranch Blog

This is the first entry of this blog... what a fun way to keep updated on the fun and games at West Ranch. This is a great time of year to start this... cria, breeding and so much more.

The most important thing is that we are open to visitors every Saturday in the summer from noon - 4 pm so come on by.