. . . But it wasn’t. It was at Green Apple Alpacas Farm in Auburn, Washington.
I finally got to meet them, up close and personal. A whole herd of Dr. Suess characters known as alpacas. Meeting these gentle, friendly creatures in person was an unforgettable experience. God must have had a big smile when He dreamed them up!
Ever since we moved here and I got my first glimpse of them, I’ve been addicted to alpaca-watching in neighboring fields, but this is the first time for having close contact with any of those curiously comic looking creatures.
Today, ten of our family members went on a tour of the nearby Green Apple alpaca farm owned by Mark and Kandi Dodrill. Their beautiful farm includes dozens of other farm animals but the stars, in my view, are definitely their irresistible alpacas.
I had a lot of wrong ideas about alpacas till I met up with them today. I love to see those impossibly long necks, the big soft eyes with their long eyelashes, their pompon hairdos after shearing, and their sassy comic style. And they can even hum!
What I flat-out didn’t expect was their genuine interest in people, and the affection they express to their visitors. While this may have been due to the Dodrill’s patient cultivation of the herd, this still seems extraordinary to me.
Above is little three-year old Wesley, and one-year old Casey with “Georgia” who sat down so she could get better acquainted. Georgia is only three years old herself so that may be why she seemed happy to be trying on Casey’s baseball cap.
Another misconception I had was that alpacas, like llamas, would spit at people on occasion. Alpacas don’t, though. Mark Dodrill said that spitting might happen within the herd due to minor “offenses”, but he’d never seen any human get so unlucky as to be in the line of fire.
Alpacas have only joined us in the United States since the 1980s. They are part of the camel family, originated in the South American Andes, and were prized by the Incas for their wonderful fleece.
Welcome to North America, you wooly charmers!
Thank you Susy, Curt, Matt, Josie, Melissa, Tricia, Wesley and Casey for cooking up this birthday trip down to Mulberry Street.
Today, we saw sights that seem hard to beat.
Alpacas with pompoms and frills on their feet,
And very long necks that went down to their seat.
And we thought that we saw them,
Well, we THINK that we saw them,
We’re pretty sure that we saw them,
Right over there on Mulberry Street.
Charming! I never knew any alpacas myself, I didn’t know they were so personable! And what fun for the family!
Judy, I’m so surprised you’ve never worked with alpaca fiber! I’ve heard of rugs made out of it. I’ve owned a pair of socks and they’re so warm, soft and sturdy. You, of all of us, should be dipping your toes into alpaca rugs! 😉
I think the reason the livestock was so friendly has a lot to do with the farm owners. All their animals are well cared for and handled daily. I read that alpacas and llamas can be skittish but these guys were super trusting which made our visit super fun!
What a wonderful birthday gift/trip!! I want one!! A trip, with a trailer!!!
My sweet friend and her partner have a herd of about 10 alpaca. You’re right, Susy, the gentle nature is due to the handler/s. She has 3 children, of which, 2 have Downs Syndrome. All of her herds and packs on her farmette (goats, chickens, dogs, etc.) are so personable, curious and friendly and it’s all thanks to their upbringing with the kids and adults of the human kind. And the humming from the alpaca—-sooo calming!
Very warm wonderful story. We also hope to visit them some day ! Gwenie will the Alpacas try to get into Chrissy’s purse as your Donkeys do 🧐?