The non-profit Musk Ox Farm is dedicated to the domestication of the musk ox, an Ice Age mammal that once roamed the earth alongside saber-tooth tigers and woolly mammoths.
Known to Alaska Natives as “Oomingmak”, which means “The Bearded One”, this once-endangered animal produces an annual harvest of qiviut (kiv'-ee-ute), the finest wool in the world.
The two RV Gypsies and family stopped at the Musk Ox Farm to get a close up experience of these magnificent Paleolithic ruminants with engaging exhibits and a gift shop featuring some of the worlds only gently hand-combed qiviut fiber, qiviut yarn, and qiviut garments.
The historic 1930s-era Colony farm is located just 45 miles north of Anchorage in the Matanuska Valley, the heart of Alaskan agriculture.
Qiviut fiber, qiviut yarn, and qiviut garments are the most coveted
gift items in Alaska. The ultra-fine qiviut fiber is eight times warmer
than wool and softer than cashmere. Entry cost on this date was $11,
or $9 for seniors 65+ and children 5-17 $5. |