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SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 21, 2006

We spent the day at the Musk Ox Farm . . . well, not all day, but it was the main part.  We had to travel to Palmer, Alaska, then spent a little time trying to find the farm.  But it was worth it!  Got to tell you needlefelting folks that this animal's coat produces the most wonderfully soft wool for knitting!  It is brushed (just like you brush the camel, Renae) to get the fibers of the undercoat to make scarves, caps, mittens, etc.  But, it is much softer than sheep wool.  There were a lot of products in the gift store made from the wool.  These two pics are of the animals within the pens.  
And this is the creature up close.  We learned all about how in rutting season the bulls run at each other and crash heads.  Their horns are constructed so that there is a lot of hard tissue substance within the large part on top of the head, that takes the force of the blow so that the oxen don't sustain brain damage.  This closeup is of a female ox and the males have MUCH larger horns.
Talk about your LARGE plants!  This is a shot of Paul's hand to show the size of this specimen of kale . . . isn't it huge?
And this is a box of flowers that I took a pic of on our way out. 
Tomorrow:  Hatcher Pass

doodlebears Celebration AmbassadorAug 21, 2006

Day six sounds great Sue Ann. Were you able to buy any of the wool? Sounds like a dream for us who like to needle-felt. I've never seen a Musk Ox, what an impressive creature!
Thanks for sharing once again. Enjoy the rest of your holiday.
 

Hugs Jane.     

Jodi Falk Aug 21, 2006

Thanks again for all the beautiful pictures.

                                                         Jodi Falk

lapousmor Aug 21, 2006

thanks so much for sharing pictures with us.

You were lucky to meet animals I never saw but on TV in my life! Not even in a zoo!

Did you buy some wool for your needle felting?

Beary hugs,
Sophie.

patsylakebears Aug 21, 2006

Thanks again Sue Anne .. for sharing.

Judi Aug 22, 2006

Awesome Sue Ann.  Great photos and what neat animals.  Oh how I would love to get my hands on some ox wool. 

What a great vacation you have had. :dance:   Thank you so much for sharing your stories and photos.    

SueAnn Help Advisor, Banner SponsorAug 22, 2006

I thought about buying some wool even though I don't needlefelt, but it was really expensive.  Sure was soft to touch, though!

BootButtonBears Aug 22, 2006

Wow Sue Ann, those Musk Ox are an amazing looking animal - I have never seen one before - see what an education I am getting on TT.  Many thanks for the photos.

Carolyn Green Aug 22, 2006

Thanks so much SueAnn for reporting and sharing your photos, on Day 6 of your holiday.

What amazing wool the musk ox has and a good set of horns.
Yes you would not like to be anywhere near when the rutting season is on!
I can remember deer in that state and they are really scary the noise and dramma that goes on.

Hugs
Carolyn