Visit The Gold/Silver Country

Alpacas, Gold Mines, Historic Towns, & Tourist Activities

Sands has "travel" in her veins as well as the love of alpacas and history, so we're  adding The Silver State to our Golden State repertoire.....plus, lots of new activities and attractions for our visitors...including Lake Tahoe with its sapphire blue waters.                        

Come and explore Nevada with us.   Whatever your favorite recreation or activity, there are wonderful facilities nearby.   Winter or Summer, any time of year.....there's plenty to do, not the least of which is to "talk alpaca" and enjoy a refreshment with us.   Here's but a few possibilities:  art galleries, museums, spas, fine  dining, gambling, ice skating, snowmobiling, lake cruises, horseback riding, fishing, dog sled rides, skiing, sleigh rides,  snowboarding, snow tubing, cross country skiing, snowshoeing, hot air balloon rides,  hiking, biking, golf....and that's just talking Lake Tahoe which is about 1-1/2 hours from our ranch, as is rip-roaring Reno.

History:   Did you know that Nevada was once called "Utah West?"  This area is loaded with history, lore, fun places to explore and unusual events to enjoy...even a yearly camel race held in Virginia City - home of the famous Comstock Lode.   www.virginiacity-nv.org     The town of Genoa, previously called "Mormon Station" is the oldest permanent settlement in Nevada http://www.nevadaweb.com/cnt/r-t/genoa/  as well as the site of the oldest saloon in the State of Nevada.   

Yerington, Nevada  - Our new home.   Why?  Because it has a terrific, high and dry,  climate in which to raise alpacas; it is affordable, comparatively speaking; it is not unlike small agricultural towns of 50 years ago and full of friendly people and opportunity.  Quoting a wonderful article by David Toll "getting here is like taking a Sunday drive to a home town you never had."   We are not alone as alpaca breeders, there are two other ranches here and another two a scant few miles "down the road."   Yerington is in the Mason Valley which is rich in pasturelands and situated on the fish-loaded Walker River.    Originally this town was a trading post and had a whiskey store called "Pizen Switch" due to the questionable quality of its product!    The area grew and outgrew it "Pizen Switch" name and became Greenfield.   I find it interesting that everyone assumes anywhere in the Nevada desert is only sand dunes.   Not true of its riparian valleys in the high desert areas.  This is definitely an ag area known for its production of grasses, alfalfa and onions.   On our new place we have several orchard trees lining the driveway.    Later Yerington got its present name from H.M. Yerington, a railroad man, but alas a railroad branch never made it to Yerington.    Mining, particularly copper, has very much influenced this area.   Besides the young boxer who appeared on the TV program, The Contender, Yerington's most famous native was the Paiute prophet Wovoka who  began the Ghost Dance movement which led to the slaughter at Wounded Knee.   I understand that there is an old Indian camp site on our property somewhere.  So, again, Western history is a pull for Paul and I....and that's why Yerington!     For local attractions, casinos, motel info:  http://www.nevadatravel.net/search_chooser_city.asp?City=Yerington   or   http://www.yerington.net 

For Fishing/Hunting try the Mason Valley Wildlife Management Area, located only a couple of miles from AMC:  http://www.publiclands.org/html/explore/site.php?id=456

For a scenic picnic location, check out Wilson Canyon, located between Mason and Smith Valleys - you'll find information and photos of the www.yerington.net page.

Airports:  Reno/Tahoe Airport - About 1 1/2 hour's drive from AMC ranch, serviced by Alaska, American West, American, Continental Frontier, Northwest, SkyWest Delta, Southwest and United...call your travel agent.  Lake Tahoe Airport    - About 30 minutes from AMC, private aircraft and Bigfoot Aviation out of San Francisco.  www.laketahoeairport.com   Yerington Municipal Airport  Less than 5 miles from AMC, private aircraft.   http://www.fltplan.com/AirportInformation/O43.htm

Don't Miss Tyson's Seven Mile Canyon Ranch when you visit Nevada!  We absolutely fell in love with this gorgeous canyon adjacent to Six Mile Canyon which houses famous Virginia City.  Tyson's Seven Mile Canyon Ranch is a high desert ranch where the coyotes still play. Hiking, biking, ATV trails, special events, modern, upscale accommodations and weddings in the west are just a few of the reasons to visit this lovely and lively property.   This is the best kept secret of the West.  Visit:  www.nevadaduderanch.com

If history is your interest, you would also want to visit Carson City, frontier town and Nevada's Capitol. www.carson-city.org  

Tahoe Links:  www.virtualtahoe.com           www.laketahoecam.com          www.tahoe.com                                      www.tahoeactivities.com    http://www.2getgold.com/ca/laketahoe/loding/index.html   (accommodations)

Golf:  There are more than 50 golf courses within a hour's drive of Lake Tahoe.   You'll find many of them listed on the www.tahoeactivities.com site, including Genoa Lakes Golf Course, and Sierra Nevada Golf Ranch which are just 'round the corner' of the AMC ranch.   Also just around the corner is David  Walley's Resort Springs and Spa www.davidwalleys.com   How much better can it get than a visit to Walley's after a hard day's ride for a bit of pampering and all that glorious hot water to ease your saddle sores, or ski-tired thighs? 

Events:  We will hosting our own events...stay tuned.  For other events in Nevada  www.travelnevada.com  

See why we are so enthusiastic about our new adventure in Nevada?  Want to leave your alpacas in our care so that you can visit often?  The new Herd Management Program is now available by return email....just ask.  alpaca@alpcamine.com                 

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AN AFRICAN  SAFARI

I am fortunate to have traveled 6 continents  and my very favorite experience, with no exceptions, is the African safari.  I have two favorite countries for photo safari:  Botswana and Tanzania.   It is with that in mind, that I would like to encourage you to take your first safari.   I say "first" because safaris are like potato chips, you cannot take just one.  (I say the same thing about alpacas, by the way!)   I am assuming that most visitors to our web site our animal enthusiasts, and your life with be forever enhanced by an "upclose and in person" visit to the mecca of wildlife  -  Africa. 

One of the most knowledgeable, kind, enthusiastic, and delightful guides in Africa is also a dear friend of mine.  John Davey lives with his beautiful wife, Tina, in Maun, Botswana.  He is a specialized guide who will accompany you throughout your safari, imparting his wisdom of animal behavior and enthusiasm for the bush along the way.  Since the highlight of any safari is your personal experience with nature, I cannot recommend anyone more highly than John to guarantee that you have an optimum experience.    John's special interests are photography and birds and he loves bushwalking, however his overall knowledge is incredible.

Botswana is one of the most politically and economically stable, crime free countries in Africa today.  It undoubtedly hosts some of the finest gameviewing in Africa.  It has contrasting habitat, ranging from the dry, semi desert of the Central Kalahari to the lush green vegetation of the Okavango Delta...a spectacular range of scenery, birds, animals and creatures, not forgetting, of course, the friendly people and their cultures.   John experience is such that he can answer a very wide range of questions and introduce you to areas of exploration that many guides are not equipped to handle.

Paul and I honeymooned in Botswana and I have had the good fortune to have visited this country 4 times.  It never fails to amaze me in its diversity and beauty.   While not often thought of as a honeymoon destination, it is romantic beyond compare.   I believe that I have shot some of my best wildlife photos in Botswana.  I find that the blue hues of the waterways and lagoons of the Okavango, the greens to golds of the grasses, the white, fluffy clouds and  the dramatic hues of the vivid sunsets,  all enhance wildlife photos immensely.  Botswana is definitely a prime destination and safaris are high adrenaline vacations which will live in your memories forever.   For example, on our honeymoon, Paul and I stayed  in a treehouse as well as a deluxe tent,   walked in the bush, rode horses and even rode by elephant back!

Do not hesitate to ask me questions about safaris and Botswana itineraries.  While I do not sell travel any more, I love sharing my experiences and giving advice.    John is a licensed Professional Guide with over 15 years of safaris experience, managing camps and guiding in Zambia, Zimbabwe and Botswana.   You can reach John Davey by email at Jdavey@dynabyte.bw  

Interested in East Africa?  May I suggest Tanzania and the able services of Ian Batchelor?  Contact Ian at isbatchelor@aol.com

Happy travels and safaris,  Sands