About Us

'A New Adventure'

By Melina Huddy, Muskingum Valley REVIEW, published Sunday, March 13, 2005

LITTLE HOCKING - When Corridor D construction took the Lake Washington Road home of Margot and Jim Justice, they decided to build on the 35-acre farm they had purchased in 1990 on Ohio 555 in Little Hocking.

"We used to come out on the weekends and stay in the little house built by neighbors for the family in 1945 after the original farmhouse burned. We'd say, someday we'll build a house on the hill, but I don't think either of us ever thought we really would. Then, along came Corridor D, which just goes to show that when one door closes, another opens," said Margot.

In January 2003, while their house was under construction, Margot knew she wanted to do something special with the property but had no clear idea what that might be. She and her daughter were watching television when an "I love alpacas" commercial came on the screen.

"We were fascinated by them and almost immediately began gathering more information. I'm originally from Philadelphia and have a sister near there, so when I heard there was going to be an alpaca show in Harrisburg I went to visit my sister and we went to the show. When I left, I knew I had to have and alpaca, I was hooked," she said.

Margot, a retired registered nurse, and Jim, a retired manager from GE, moved to what is known as Windswept Alpaca Farmstead in May 2003. Not far behind was the first of her alpacas.

Alpacas belong to the camel family and are native to the Andes Mountains in South America. First imported to the United States in the 1980s, there are approximately 16,000 in the country now. About half the size of their cousin, the llama, alpacas live 18-25 years and come in 22 colors as well as numerous color combinations. Because they have only bottom front teeth and a soft top palate, they do not bite.

"There is a ban on imports and no more can come into the country, but alpaca owners and breeders across the country are trying to build up enough of a herd to establish a fiber market here. Alpaca fiber is among the softest of all animal fibers, seven times warmer and three times stronger than sheep's wool, and it is not scratchy. The fleece does not contain lanolin, which is usually what causes allergies, so it's practically hypoallergenic," Margot said.

Suri alpacas, like those at Windswept, are distinguished from other alpacas by the long, separate locks of their fleece. Their average height is 36 inches at the shoulderand they weigh between 150-185 pounds, Margot takes them to shows or the veterinarian in the back of her van.

Females have only one baby, called a cria, each year. The first cria at Windswept arrived Jan. 26, now the home of eight alpacas and one llama.

"Our guard llama. We have seen coyotes here and the llama is a great guard animal. She patrols the area and alerts the alpacas by leading them to safety. They always follow," Margot said.

Now that the new house is completed, the couple turned their attention to uses for the "little house," and have been accepted into the Ohio Bed and Breakfast Association.

"We call it the Cottage at Windswept and have already had guests. Jim does the breakfast. I do the 'bed,' or housekeeping. It's great fun: A place to show off all the old things, the Amish quilts, the alpaca throws and old glassware. Guests get the whole house for $100 a night for up to four people, then $10 more for each additional person. It's more cozy than fancy, but isn't that what a cottage is supposed to be?" Margot said.

The Justices, who celebrated their 25th wedding anninversary by renewing their vows in December, have seven children and three granddaughters. Their oldest daughter, a doctor, graduated from Parkersburg High School while the other six graduated from Parkersburg South High School. The youngest, Josh, a 2001 graduate, was an honor student at West Virginia University when he enlisted  in the Marine Corps. He is expected home from Iraq later this month.

"We were watching the news one evening when he said 'I should be there.' The next thing we knew, he'd enlisted. We were shocked, surprised and very, very proud," Margot said.

Meanwhile, there is another expectant alpaca at Windswept, three happily spoiled dachshunds, and a bed and breakfast open for business.

"Jim says he's retired. I'm the farmer. Either way, it's a new adventure," she said.