It’s the end of April, and the ranch is beginning to look greener by the day. The fields are waking up, the grass is coming in, and the alpacas are making the most of every chance they get to nibble on fresh pasture.
Of course, this is Montana in the spring, so the weather never stays settled for long. This week we’re warming up into the 70s, only to drop right back down into the upper 30s for daytime highs. We’re even expecting a little snow at the end of the week, though it should melt off quickly before the warmer weather returns. That kind of back-and-forth is pretty typical for this time of year here.
The alpacas are doing well through it all. They seem more than happy to take advantage of the greener fields whenever the weather cooperates. It’s one of our favorite parts of spring — watching them trade hay bales for fresh grass as the season slowly turns.
We’re also getting closer to shearing time. In some upcoming blog posts, we’ll share more about that process, along with a few pictures of me sharpening combs and blades as we get everything ready. For now, we’re holding off just a little longer. As eager as we are to get started, there’s no sense in shearing an alpaca and then asking it to live through a freezing cold night without its fleece. Around here, spring likes to keep us patient.
This week also brought a moment of real concern for our area. A fire southwest of town burned around 3,000 acres earlier in the week. We’re very grateful for the work of the fire department and thankful they were able to get it under control before it got anywhere near the city of Red Lodge.
Even with the ups and downs, we’re thankful for the warmer days and all the signs that summer is on the way. Spring in Montana may be unpredictable, but it always brings with it that feeling that a new season is just around the corner.
