Before heading off to my next sunny and warm turquoise destination I challenged myself to experience as many winter activities as possible to share with others what a true Canadian winter is all about. I started my winter bucket list experiences in Nova Scotia for Christmas celebrations with family and friends, then traveled to New Brunswick for the New Year festivities, and finally landed in Ontario to experience an abundance of authentic and fun winter activities. My first stop in Ontario was Dream Acres Alpacas in Matheson, Ontario to visit the Alpacas and tour the farm. The moment I stepped onto the property the alpacas all stopped what they were doing and curiously gazed in my direction.
As soon as I laid eyes on the intriguing animals I completely forgot about the cold. I’ve never encountered a more curious and friendly animal than the alpaca. I got to visit with all of the females (and one young boy who wasn’t yet big enough to go in with the big boys). Some were friendlier then others, but a few were brave enough to get right in my face to get a good sniff and lick. Although some were timid, they still wanted to be an arms length away so they could get a good look too. If I held my hand out and remained still many would approach me for a sniff. Gary and Jo-Anne’s alpacas are extraordinary as their curiosity and inquisitiveness is not the norm for an alpaca. The up-close and personal approach Gary and Jo-Anne use to raise their alpacas fosters a level of comfort for the alpacas when they are around people. Gary and Jo-Anne love their alpacas unconditionally as if they were their own “children”. The alpacas love visitors and they were thrilled when I stopped in to see them–the stars of the show.
The friendliest alpaca on the farm
Gary and Jo-Anne’s dream of owning a farm and making 100% Canadian-made quality alpaca products became their reality. Gary and Jo-Anne started their farm with a mere 9 male alpacas, but their farm continued to grow with each year. They’ve been able to experience a handful of miraculous births of crias (baby alpacas) on their farm. Some of their babies were even hand-reared by Jo-Anne herself because they were born premature. Dream Acres Alpacas currently has 32 alpacas (babies included) on their property of over 100 acres. They educate the surrounding communities about alpacas and the process involved in making alpaca products. They encourage anyone who is interested to visit their farm for a tour or to try out their products which they sell on site at the farm or at surrounding community markets and shopping centers. Not only that, their farm also has 36 laying hens and offer farm fresh, free range brown eggs for purchase. Dream Acres Alpacas is the epitome of what community is all about: celebrating what’s local, sharing, and caring. Visiting the farm was a breath of fresh air.
Baby Finnigan
The alpacas are currently growing out their fleeces while Jo-Anne and her partners spend the winter busily making yarn, knitting, crocheting, and weaving in preparation for upcoming events and the spring season. The majority of items are hand woven and much love goes into making the products. Dream Acres Alpacas takes pride in their products with them being made with 80-90% alpaca fleece. Dream Acres Alpacas wastes none of the alpaca fleece, but finds a purpose for each type. Jo-Anne informed me that too much love goes into growing the fleece that she can’t bear any of it going to waste. Many of the products in her home are made with alpaca fleece.
With mommy
Jo-Anne knows her animals so well that she can tell you what products were made from which alpaca based on the texture and colour. No alpaca product is the same, each is unique with its own design, texture, colour, shape, and feel. Each product uses a different kind of fleece (from different parts of the alpaca), and if there isn’t a product for that particular type of fleece, she’ll find a use for it. Alpaca fleece is known to be hypoallergenic, non-irritating (not itchy), and warmer than other whools/fleeces.
Alpaca Mittens
When I tried out my new mittens made of 80% alpaca fleece while hiking throughout the farm property trails my hands were kept toasty warm throughout the afternoon. It’s warmer than any other product I’ve used.
Alpaca fleece products
Their alpaca fleece products include:
- Hats & Headbands
Socks
Mittens & Gloves (paca paws)
Slippers
Rugs
Scarves & Shawls
Blankets & Duvets
Stuffed animals
Yarn
Other specialty products and items made to order
Dream Acres Alpacas is the perfect winter activity! The alpacas are eagerly awaiting visitors. Meeting the curious alpacas is the perfect way to forget about the cold temperatures. The alpacas might even want to go for a walk with you throughout the groomed trails on the farm. Better yet, bring your snow shoes with you to go snow shoeing after your personalized tour of the farm. During the winter months Gary and Jo-Anne are able to accommodate guests and customize visits. Contact Dream Acres Alpacas on their Facebook Page to book a tour or buy products! There is no better season to buy alpaca products to keep you warm throughout the remaining months of winter.
Alpacas
*Media Coverage for Dream Acres Alpacas
Turquoise Compass Wellness 
How fun! I love alpacas (and all the jokes you can make with the word alpaca lol)!
It was so much fun! Alpacas are such interesting animals!
Where are you nowadays?
In Florida & it’s raining this weekend so trying to come up with a rain plan for tomorrow. 🙂
How long will you be in Florida? I am heading there on the 23rd!
I live in Florida 😉 Where will you be? Would love to try to meet up with you!
I am heading to Miami. How far you?
I’m in North Florida, 9 hrs away. How long will you be there?
Jan 23-Feb 1 I think. My cousin is meeting me there on Jan 26. I haven’t booked my next destination after that! What’s your next trip?
Yay! Maybe I can come meet you there. I don’t know when/where my next regular trip will be, possibly Arizona. The next big trip is Israel in April. 🙂
Keep me posted and let me know what your plans are! It would be great to meet up!
Jess
I would really like to have joined you to this visit. Alpacas are so wonderful animals and their wool are so nice warm.
Do this people have a website, from where they sell?
Thanks for sharing.
Irene
I would have loved for you to have joined me Irene. It was an amazing experience (and so unique). I had so much fun visiting the animals and walking around their property.
Check out their website here: http://www.dreamacres.ca/
And Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dream-Acres-Alpacas/118411578238352
Jessica
Thanks Jessica, I will check their website out.
Irene
Great! Let me know if you buy anything. I have their leggings and mittens and I LOVE them both!
So I have been MIA from WP.
NOW I REALLY FEEL LIKE YOU ARE MY REAL DAUGHTER!!!
My oldest worked on an alpaca farm. They are the greatest animals ever! (And most expensive). Not used for meat-or weren’t-only for their fur and breed. Sweetest animals. Most loving. Except their spit. Lol.
How awesome that you got to do this!!!
Love love love this! And you!
Great to hear from you Lisa. I was starting to wonder where you disappeared to. Hope all is all well with you and your family. Did you have a good start to the new year? I’m glad you enjoyed my Alpaca post. I had an incredible time visiting with the animals (no spit involved luckily).
Jessica
Hi Jessica! This is such an informative post…love it! Alpacas seem like really loving and friendly creatures.:) I really think I need a pair of alpaca mittens and leggings now. – Donna
Thanks you so much Donna! Can you believe it, I’m in Ontario! Timmins currently! So close, yet so far! Visiting the Alpaca farm was so much fun (and informative too). You DO need Alpaca mittens and leg warmers for the cold winter months. Check out their Facebook page and website. The investment is TOTALLY worth it, because they are warmer than anything I’ve used previously! 🙂
Jessica
You’re welcome, Jessica!:) Too bad you’re all the way up north right now. We’ll meet up one day…It has to happen! I’ll definitely check out their website.:) Thanks!
I’m going ice skating tomorrow! It’s supposed to be 2 degrees tomorrow,,,perfect skating weather!:)
Enjoy your weekend,
Donna
We will meet up one day! I am flying through Toronto on Jan 23, but to MIAMI! Have fun ice skating tomorrow! So much fun!
Oh niiiice! Safe travels! I will:)
ahhhhhh they are sooooooo cute!!!!!!!!!!! looks like so much fun!
Thanks so much! It was so much fun!
Oh my, those alpacas are so freaking cute. I want one!
I know right? They were adorable! I left there asking my boyfriend if we could get a couple as pets!
OMG, I love this! Such a cute, fun and unique post. Makes me want to visit some Alpaca’s 😉
Thank you so much! I’m glad my post made you want to visit the Alpaca farm. It was a unique experience.
Awesome pics 🙂 I want to “like” it, but my internet here in Laos will NOT load the like right now… Thanks for sharing your experience!
Thank you so much! No problem! How is Laos? I would like to get there someday!
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