Storm Lake Times Pilot

Resiliance, optimism bring a family to Albert City

Family ‘homesteads’ from Washington State


Ashley Matheson’s small business “Siren’s Nest” is prominent at the Storm Lake farmer’s market. (Photos by Dolores Cullen and Mick Polich)

The desire for a simpler way of life has attracted a young family to Albert City. And part of their new life is the small business, Siren’s Nest, new at the Storm Lake farmers market this year.

The journey of Ashley Matheson, Ryan Wilson and their daughter from Washington state to Iowa in August 2020 has a bit of pioneer vibe to it.

The frightening thing for many is that once you put all your eggs in one basket to move away, it’s hard to turn back.

The impetus to pull the plug and head to the Midwest was pretty straightforward for Ashley, in that she wanted help with childcare and her mom lived in Iowa.

“Ending up in Albert City was sheer dumb luck,” she said. “It was just where I found a house that fit what we needed. We spent every last dollar we had on our move, to hopefully change our lives for the better. It was absolutely terrifying, because there was no way we could back out, if it didn’t work out. Our only option was success, and it’s been a bumpy road to get there.”

Ashley, Ryan and their children care for their children while on duty at their stand.

Iowa, here we come

Ryan had wanted to make the family’s life simpler for quite some time, Ashley explained. “His passion for it helped me realize that I had a passion for the same thing.”

The year before they moved, they researched homesteading and realized it was the life they wanted. The option, staying in Washington, was looking increasingly dim. Ryan was working in a shipyard 50-60 hours per week, and spending another 10-12 hours commuting.

His job was physically demanding and not very safe, but the pay was decent so Ryan stuck with it.

Ashley took a job as a nanny to two children when their daughter Marlowe was seven weeks old. Ashley would bring Marlowe with her on the job because she could, and it saved money in childcare.

Then came the news that their rent was going up, forcing the family to look at other housing choices. Two dogs, a cat and seven chickens complicated things a bit, plus it became increasingly apparent that Washington wasn’t the place to raise a family. So, the brainstorming began.

“Ryan pitched the idea that he could go fishing in Alaska for the summer season. I told him that if he were to do that, I’d like to live in Iowa for that stretch of time because my mom is here, and she could help with the kids,” says Ashley.

Qualifiers for moving to Iowa were the lower cost of living, and finding adequate work for Ryan.

When Ryan did secure a job as a service tech for a farm equipment company, finding the Albert City house came in close succession.

The next task was to rent a semi truck, pack it to the brim, and “get outta Dodge,” to quote Ashley.

Troubles along the way

Getting out of Dodge was easier said than done.

The truck broke down every step of the way, and it took the family four days to get to Iowa. The truck overheated on every mountain pass from Washington to Iowa.

“We had to stop every couple miles to put water in it and cool it down,” says Ashley. The truck needed to be towed over the largest mountain pass in Montana, where it was taken to a diesel shop to be diagnosed with head gaskets ready to blow.

There was no other way but to keep going on the journey. 500 miles out from the new house, the overdrive went out on the truck, forcing the family to a maximum speed of 55 m.p.h.

Among the products for sale are vanilla sugar, vanilla honey and vanilla salt.

New babies and a new business

A lot has happened for Ashley, Ryan and Marlowe over the past two years. One year ago, Ashley gave birth to twin boys Soren and Hale. The family has been working hard to adapt to their new lifestyle, and build on it.

“Neither Ryan or myself were raised on a rural lifestyle, so it’s been an experience so far. We’re both passionate about growing our own food, and raising our kids in a slower lifestyle than what the city offers,” she said. “I want our kids to grow up caring for animals, tending gardens, and learning many skills that society seems to have forgotten,” says Ashley.

Becoming a mother was a dream come true for Ashley, but she also wanted to contribute to the family income. Thus, Ashley’s company Siren’s Nest was born.

The company focuses on selling free range chicken eggs, organically grown produce, homemade breads, treats and herbals. A specialty item that Ashley is particularly proud of is her homemade vanilla extract and the vanilla salt that she produces.

The family loads up the truck and heads down to the farmer’s market in Storm Lake to sell their goods and promote the brand.

Swap a Conestoga wagon for a semi truck, throw in a sense of adventure and the chance at a better life, and it’s a story of the Old West, or just the journey of Ashley, Ryan and their growing family.