Getting a ranch started is a huge undertaking. So huge, in fact, that at times it can even be a bit overwhelming. However, I’m finding that with a lot of planning it is not only doable, it’s manageable, even for one person. That is, with an emphasis on keeping things Simple.

Although the launch date of 2013 sounds like a really long way off, in actuality I’m decades ahead of schedule. To give you some perspective, if I didn’t have the opportunity to do this now, Iolanthe would be opening sometime in the Spring of 2032, at the earliest.

So there’s lots to do. And it’s exciting. And I’m loving this — all of it. I’ll be keeping a journal to document the journey, I hope you’ll come along for the ride and check in from time to time.

It means a lot to me that you care, thank you.

Questions? Comments?
Drop me a line, I’d love to hear from you!

MILESTONES

OH BOY, THIS NEEDS TO BE UPDATED.
AND I WILL, SOON.

xo,
M

***

September 2011: Sunny turns 1
August 2011: Cria shearing
July 2011: Cria watch for Harmony begins: Harmony gives birth to Bingley!
June 2011: Shed #2 Installation; Mischief gives birth to Willoughby! + Shearing Day
April 2011: Alpaca pedicures; Cria watch #2 about to begin
March 2011: Alpaca is another word for love.
February 2011: Finalize 2011 plans; Dealing with LaNina
January 2011: Continue to work on ranch plans
December 2010: Redesign iolanthealpacas.com
November 2010: Winter begins, and what a winter this would be
October 2010: 10/10/10 with D&H; Harmony + Mischief come home
September 2010: Cria watch begins; First alpaca birth on the ranch: welcome Sunflower!
August 2010: Life with alpacas is amazing.
July 2010: The alpacas are here!
June 2010: Shearing Weekend at Moonshadow Alpaca Ranch
May 2010: Jade the Awesome installs the fencing and builds the shed; attend CABA
April 2010: Alpaca 102 at Moonshadow; Finalize fencing/shed build plans
March 2010: The fine art of the riding mower; Continued alpaca education; Paddock planning
February 2010: Turning point: Commit, for essentially the rest of my life, to care for these magical creatures.
January 2010: Make plans with Moonshadow for another visit.
December 2009: Settling in, plans for the ranch continue.
November 2009: Goodbye Seattle, Hello Sequim! (packing/moving/unpacking)
October 2009: Close on the property (thank you Danny + Sandy)
September 2009: Find the place, make an offer, offer is accepted (woot!)
August 2009: Home buying adventure begins; Cria shearing at Moonshadow.
July 2009: Begin doing research on alpacas, visit Moonshadow Alpaca Ranch for the first time.
June 2009: And so it begins. . .