Wooly Beasts

Today is overcast, and I have had some light to moderate rain on my travels today. The temperatures are in the 10-15 C (50-60F) range. You can't guarantee the weather, so you dress appropriately. I had another great sleep. Must be the fresh northern air. Another thing to mention is the amount of daylight they have here at this time of year. the sun rises at 4:49 AM and doesn't set until 11:04 PM. The place I'm in has good black out blinds, so I have no issue sleeping.

After a good breakfast of yogurt and melon with a banana muffin, I pack my sandwich and head north. I am heading to Palmer today. As I am driving, I see a cutoff for Old Glen Hwy. Well, anything old must be good (kinda like me!) So off I go. It is a windy two lane road that goes through some beautiful forests. Check out the picture below. It may take a little longer, but I have time.

I pass the Git n Go liquor store. I kid you not! I couldn't make up that name. I am out in the backwoods, and it shows. I'm hoping to see a moose or bear or something, but no luck. I do find the Musk Ox Farm (www.muskoxfarm.org) I wanted to check this place out. They are a farm that actually harvests the Qiviut from the musk ox and spin it into wool. Qiviut is the undercoat that the musk ox shed in the spring after the cold winters. It is what gives them that shaggy look in the pictures. After they gather it, they send it to Peru to have is carded, washed, and spun into wool.

We head out to the pastures where the musk ox are in different enclosures. There are 3 mommas with their babies in one. The youngest is a week and a half old. They are about 15 pounds when they are born and gain about 10 pounds per week. They have other enclosures with musk ox at different ages. The tour takes about 45 minutes. They are closely related to goats, just bigger and lazier.

Inside they have wool and kint wear made from them. I, of course, have to check it out. Their wool is not good for socks, but it is good for scarfs, hats, and leg warmers. It is a very fine, lace weight yarn. One skein that may do a small scarf is about $180.00 - $200.00. A little rich for my blood. It is very soft, but I'm not paying that much for wool. The wool stays here.

I did drive over to the Reindeer Farm, but it looked more like a petting zoo, so I came back instead. The drive back is just as nice.

I have to pack up tonight because tomorrow I'm heading to the cruise. It has been a fun couple of days here in Anchorage, and I would recommend it to anyone. You would have to rent a car to get anywhere.

I will post tomorrow from the ship!Read more