Bearizona in Spring

Carol Freshley May 25, 2018

Bearizona is a 160 acre Wildlife Park. There are two parts, one being a 3 mile drive where visitors can see bison, wolves, bears, and mountain goats in a replication of their native habitat. The other part is a walk-through area where guests can appreciate smaller animals, including baby and juvenile bears. There is a brand new jaguar exhibit and the otters have a new home. Bearizona also features a raptor show allowing people to experience raptors up close. If you stay long enough you will want to visit the very large and impressive gift shop and the restaurant.

Debra Rohden and Greg Haesloop are our contributing photographers for this trip blog post. A very special thanks to both of them for sharing their day.

Thanks for joining us!

Alpaca Farm and Mill

Carol Freshley November 1, 2016

When Ann mentioned that she had found an Alpaca farm and mill just outside of Williams my inner fiber addict kicked into full attention. "I am in!", I told her. Barbara and Rick had driven up from Phoenix for a few days of photography with us and they were willing to go along. I loved the excursion. While the farm and mill are on the smaller side for such an enterprise we found that the personal tour and attention more than made up for it. I had never been inside a mill before to see how the shorn animal fiber is converted into the yarn I treasure.

It starts here.  Alpacas are shorn in the spring.  It did not appear that they would be able to grow enough winter coat to keep them warm.  Marcella, our guide, said that their coat grows very quickly when it starts to really cool off. — It starts here. Alpacas are shorn in the spring. It did not appear that they would be able to grow enough winter coat to keep them warm. Marcella, our guide, said that their coat grows very quickly when it starts to really cool off.

This is one of two HUGE and friendly dogs that live within the Alpaca enclosures to protect them from predators.  They are considered 'working dogs' but when people show up they seem to be more playful than workful. — This is one of two HUGE and friendly dogs that live within the Alpaca enclosures to protect them from predators. They are considered 'working dogs' but when people show up they seem to be more playful than workful.

After fiber is washed it must be 'carded' to remove the larger pieces of unwanted material such as leaves, twigs, etc.  It is also the first step in getting the fibers aligned in such a way that they can then be spun.  This is part of the … — After fiber is washed it must be 'carded' to remove the larger pieces of unwanted material such as leaves, twigs, etc. It is also the first step in getting the fibers aligned in such a way that they can then be spun. This is part of the carding process.

Further along in the process, fiber that has been carded is rolled onto a felt covered wheel where it is moved along and will ultimately become more and more aligned.

There is something wonderful about photographing machines.  They are so interesting and can be captured in such an artful way. — There is something wonderful about photographing machines. They are so interesting and can be captured in such an artful way.

Coming off the felt shown in the image above.

My mom would have loved to spin this fiber.

Different animals and different pre-processing treatment lead to differences in the fiber that are readily apparent in both looks and feel of the fiber.

One of several complex machines that take the fiber and begin the process of winding it onto spools of various plies of yarn.

Almost like a magic act, the fiber goes from loosely gathered into a single string of well twisted yarn.

Multiple single strings are joined together and rewound to create thicker plied yarn.

Machines can make great art.  How about this for a mandala? — Machines can make great art. How about this for a mandala?

This is a 'hank' just before being twisted.

Fall is in the air and this was a purposeful design to celebrate fall.

Bearizona Revisited

Carol Freshley September 7, 2015

This is one of those sites where you can go again and again and it is never quite the same. Each time it seems better and each time I can add a few keepers to my folder. Plus, this time Tom and I were with my brother, his last photo opportunity before heading back home. That made it even more special. We sent him home tired! A special thanks up front to Greg. He drove us through the drive-through part of Bearizona while we shot away. His camera . . . silent even though the animals were especially active. Now that is a true friend!

Well, it is, sort of, all about the bears. — Well, it is, sort of, all about the bears.

Did you know that black bears can be brown?

A female had just relieved herself and this big bull came over to check out her out.  He withdrew from his sniff and made this face.  We all cracked up in laughter. — A female had just relieved herself and this big bull came over to check out her out. He withdrew from his sniff and made this face. We all cracked up in laughter.

This is Potter, a Dahl sheep. His horns are a full curl and are the size of two 15 pound bowling balls just sitting on top of his head.

Once you are done with the drive through part of Bearizona you can park and take in the rest of the story. Man oh man! This 'theme' park as I call it just keeps getting bigger and better. There is a new gift shop, a new area built for the raptor flight, a new restaurant under construction, more flowers . . . if you have not been there you really should put it on your list. Let Greg know you are coming. He is their best tour guide.

Usually the Red Fox are asleep in some remote corner of their enclosure.  Not this morning!  The were both pacing and then stopping close by and posing.  We took full advantage of their behavior. — Usually the Red Fox are asleep in some remote corner of their enclosure. Not this morning! The were both pacing and then stopping close by and posing. We took full advantage of their behavior.

This is a Swift Fox.  It was also very active. — This is a Swift Fox. It was also very active.

The new gift shop opened in July.  One of the more interesting things, being built right in the middle of all of the merchandise, is a scale model railroad that reflects the historical importance of the railroad in Williams during the 20's and … — The new gift shop opened in July. One of the more interesting things, being built right in the middle of all of the merchandise, is a scale model railroad that reflects the historical importance of the railroad in Williams during the 20's and into the 30's. This exhibit is so detailed and gorgeous that I can hardly wait to go back when it is completed.

For Kati and Cory, my flower loving friends.

If you are looking for a cool (several meanings) place to go up north this would be my recommendation. If you don't dawdle along the way taking photos you can make it up and back in a day from Phoenix.