In England we always keep our ears open to hear the first cuckoo of spring, a sure sign that all is well in the world. In the North American world of Alpacas the first sure sign of spring is when Snowmass Alpacas send out their auction catalogue.

This years catalogue is as impressive as ever and is available as a PDF from the Snowmass Alpacas web site.

Anyone is welcome to attend this high class event which is held annually down in sunny Arizona.

Schedule of Events, Friday, February 22nd,
3:00 pm to 7:00 pm: Welcome, open pen alpaca viewing
5:00 pm: Cocktails & hors d’oeuvres & good conversations

Saturday, February 23rd
9:00 am to 12:00 pm: Open pen alpaca viewing
12:30 pm: Lunch
2:00 pm: The Making of Champions Private Selection Sale

The basic idea is that you show up and Don and Julie treat you to a wonderful time while Celebrity Sales separate you in the most pleasant way imaginable from your hard earned cash. On Sunday the happy punters get to go home with some decent Snowmass Genetics while Don and Julie head back to the ranch a few million dollars the richer. Now isn't that the American Alpaca dream?

Over the years Sonwmass have produced two really excellent brochures on fleece and these can be downloaded from the Snowmass Alpacas web site as PDF files:

Part 1 - 23 pages, written in 2003
Part 2 - 32 pages, written in 2005

Both brochures are well worth reading if you haven't already seen them.

Here on the alpaca farm the second snow storm is on its way and as I look out of the window and into the distance I can see that the pass over the Siskiyou Mountains into California must be closed as there are two solid lines of traffic stationary on the southbound carraigeway of I- 5. So much for spring!!