“Living the Dream” that’s what we call our new life style. But how did we arrive at this point in our lives? Let’s step back a couple of years and take a look…
In 2008, we relocated to Western PA due to a work transfer. We purchased a nice piece of property in a wooded location and commenced to make that a home. In 2010, I approached Sheli about starting a process to determine where we would like to live when I retire from corporate America. So the search began. We both agreed at that time that we wanted to live south in a warm, snow free climate, close to a city, but out in the country where we could raise some animals without causing a ruckus from the neighbors. (We had previously raised chickens when we lived in Utah and very much enjoyed them.) After researching states pros and cons for taxes, licenses, healthcare, etc we began looking at land in West Virginia. After several trips to all corners of the state and some very interesting back roads, we were both exhausted and a bit confused. So we took a hiatus from this effort for the winter. One evening in March 2012, I was reading the REA Magazine and came across an ad for a farm near Erie, PA. I jokingly told Sheli that this was a dream home and she emphatically stated that we were not moving further north! So that was the end of that discussion. Several weeks later, I ask if she wanted to take a weekend trip to Erie as we had never been there before. She responded that we are not buying that farm. I told her that I agreed but it wouldn’t hurt to stop and take a look. So I contacted the owner and set up a visit for Saturday afternoon. It was a beautiful April PA day and the drive through Cooks Forest was very enjoyable. We arrived at the farm around 2:00 and spent the next four hours ‘touring’ the farm. The alpaca’s were such graceful creatures, the guard dog was just plain fun and the farm was perfect. Farm house built in 1850 and completely modernized, the barn that is in perfect condition, 50 acres half in fields and half woods, clean and well taken care of. Well needless to say we left there and drove to Erie, (35 miles) neither one of us speaking, we stopped at a restaurant for supper and as we looked into each other’s eyes we both said at the same time, “It is exactly what we have been looking for.” Thus the journey began, after many months of planning, a couple more trips to tour the farm a bit deeper and a lengthy process to secure financing, on 16 November 2012 we officially were the owners of the 5 Gallon Dog Ranch in Corry, PA. We scheduled the move for November and much to our surprise we were going to have family coming from Utah, California and Virginia for Thanksgiving. So we had a great first Thanksgiving at the ranch with plenty of family to celebrate our new home with. It was one of the most hectic and fun filled weeks of our lives. So that brings us to today, it is now February 2013, we are in the midst of our first ‘Snowbelt Winter’ and so far we are surviving. I still work in corporate America and Sheli takes care of the ranch during the week. I love going out to the barn on Saturday morning and being welcomed by Leon with those big brown eyes and constant wagging tail. He follows as the feeding and cleaning take place and if you’re not careful he will be right under your feet before you realize it! And the alpaca’s, well they are truly a blessing and such graceful and fun animals to be around. We have been reading everything we can get our hands on; we have attended a seminar and talked with other owners. At the end of the day there really isn’t much work involved with to keep them happy, good hay, fresh water and a little grain is all it takes. We are now up to 17 alpaca’s with hopefully at least 3 crias on the way this summer.
As I was plowing snow from the driveway and Sheli was getting the newspaper, the young man from the dairy farm across the road came over, asked how we are doing and jokingly said, “Living the dream?” We both looked at him and laughed. Yes, we both agreed ‘Living the Dream’.
