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News
March 21, 2024
Alpaca vs Llama: Exploring the Differences Between South America's Camelids
Alpacas and Llamas oftentimes get confused! If you are planning on visiting R2 Hillside Ranch, it is crucial for you to know the difference. In this blog, we'll delve into...
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March 21, 2024
Alpaca vs Merino Wool - What You Need to Know
Alpaca vs Merino Wool: Choosing Your Perfect Winter Companion When it comes to selecting the perfect outdoor wear, two fibers often stand out: alpaca and merino wool. Both are known...
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August 23, 2023
Beyond Wool: Discovering the Unmatched Softness of 100% Alpaca
When it comes to luxurious textiles, few materials rival the exquisite softness of 100% alpaca. In a world where comfort is paramount, delving into the realm of alpaca reveals a...
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December 15, 2021
Beach Neighbors Spotlight Article
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December 12, 2021
Want to Know?
What is an Alpaca? Alpacas are the second newest mammals on Earth. They were bred into existence by breeding a vicuna and a guanaco. Unlike llamas, who are work...
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December 12, 2021
How did Alpacas get to the US?
Alpacas in the U.S. Alpacas are relatively new to the United States, being introduced in 1984! The price for American alpacas ranged from US $50 for a castrated male to...
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December 12, 2021
Italian Maremma Sheepdogs
Our R2 Hillside Ranch is safely guarded by sisters Aurora & Raela. Two beautiful Italian Maremma Sheepdogs. The region of Lazio and Tuscany, Italy are the place of origin for...
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December 12, 2021
Mules
First, let’s clear up what a mule is. We have two mules here at R2 Hillside Ranch. A mule is the offspring of a jack (male donkey) and a mare...
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December 2, 2021
Western Bluebirds of Happiness
If you are a fellow bird-lover, Santa Cruz can be one of your favorite places to search for these blue beauties which are a sight you won’t want to miss....
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December 2, 2021
Foraging for Fungi
Tired of your usual weeknight dinners? Try incorporating wild mushrooms into your next dish! You can smoke, steam, bake, fry, or even serve them raw. They cook beautifully into soups...
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December 2, 2021
Get to Know the Beautiful Barn Owl
Whoo goes there? At R2, you might recognize a drawn-out hissing scream and recognize the call of a barn owl right away. Our redwoods are an ideal environment for barn...
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December 2, 2021
Extra Toe? No Problem! Let's Explore Long-Toed Salamanders
The name truly says it all - if you have seen a dark-colored salamander with one long toe on its back foot, it’s likely you’ve had an encounter with a...
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December 2, 2021
Climb Into California Oak
In this article, we will be exploring the many wonders of the California Oaks. The native live oak is the only California native oak that is made to thrive and...
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December 1, 2021
Eucalyptus
Strong Like Eucalyptus If you find yourself exploring the R2 Hillside land in Northern California, you might come across one of the most resilient types of trees, the eucalyptus tree....
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October 21, 2021
Wildflowers
Hide & Seek! California Wildflower Edition Down with the winter blues? Explore Northern California during the wildflower bloom season this spring. Unlike anything you have experienced before, wildflowers of all...
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October 19, 2021
California Redwoods
Iconic of Aptos Hills-Larkin Valley, with quiet strength, time-tried faithfulness, and outstretched arms, the great redwoods fill the spaces between the clearings and greet each visitor and native, alike, with...
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October 19, 2021
Our yellow friends - Banana Slugs
Banana slugs are an indigenous species to our area around R2 Hillside a long-time crowd pleaser, and a famous summer camp challenge. They even won themselves the title of ‘mascot’...
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