This past week we have basically been snowed/iced in. A major snow storm blew down to the Pacific NW from AK, then temps dropped and everything froze. Since yesterday we've had an ice crust layer over about 6-8" of snow and everything else is encased in ice. Beautiful to see in most cases, but cause of major damage to much of what it touched also. We will have piles of limbs, branches and debris to clean up once this all clears, not to mention days of frozen poop that will melt into soup from the rain forecasted next, before we can get it all cleaned up. On the upside, everyone is doing good, no harm to alpacas, chickens, cats, dogs or us 2 leggers and no major property damage. We know we have some fences down, but at this point it is still frozen out and we cannot asses how bad sections of fence are under the fallen trees.
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| Our upper fenceline under all those sagging frozen limbs~ |
The alpacas are feeling as cooped up as we are. Not much to do, but hang out in the sheds and eat hay, which usually doesn't seem to bother most of them. After days and days even the happiest hay eaters want to get out and stretch their legs.
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The alpacas don't generally get cold in this weather, but there isn't much
to do and they don't ever seem inclined to build a snowman! |
We are now into our 3rd day of running on a generator. The thought of going to a hotel or to stay at a friends is so appealing, but the alpacas have no choice. They have no choice and we can't take 'em with ya. It is times like this really tests your stamina and commitment. Loving the alpacas and having a twisted sense of adventure, ya just got to roll with it. We still all have roofs over our head, fresh water and food and each other of course!
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| Looking for spring around the corner~ |
The snow and ice accumulation was something I have never seen here, it wreaked havoc all over the ranch, but also created some beautiful photo opportunities. If you would like to see more shots of Moonshadow encased in ice check out the Flickr set
Snow & Ice Storm January 2012.
