My family and I recently spent several days on San Juan Island, and while exploring the island we drove past Krystal Acres Alpaca Farm (www.krystalacres.com). The cuteness emanating from the alpacas was like a tractor beam pulling me in, it couldn’t be resisted, we had to stop for a closer look.
Alpacas taking a rest from all that hard work of being cute.
Located on the farm is a country store filled with everything that can be made from alpaca fleece, and every item was amazingly soft. The owner was lucky to not find me on the floor wrapped in blankets, taking a nap.
In chatting with the owner, I learned that alpacas can make good pets, but are not as friendly as I would prefer them to be…hugging an alpaca is probably not in my future. But, I won’t give up hope. I’m now determined to find an alpaca that loves hugs.
The owner of the farm also mentioned to us that she and some of her alpacas were recently in our neck of the woods in April for Alpacapalooza, at the Clark County Event Center. Alpacapalooza is a two-day event that gives the alpaca community an opportunity to come together, compete, and network.
I missed out on Alpacapalooza this year, but if it returns to Clark County next year, I will definitely be in attendance. I think I could spend a whole day just watching an alpaca chew grass.
There are some alpaca farms close by that you can visit. You need to do this, especially if you have children who have never seen an alpaca up close. Located in Ridgefield is The Alpaca Group, offering free farm tours (see their website: http://thealpacagroupnw.com). My kids and I will be making our way out there very soon.
Adorable.
Kim Smith
Hello and welcome! Once upon a time I was a licensed animal nurse. When I had my first child I decided to leave my career and stay at home with baby. Having a child changed my perception of everything...food, products, environment, education, work, life. Everything. Since then I've been on a journey to create a more simple, holistic way of life for my family, to include the cats, dogs and chickens (and any other feathered or furry creature we have). I believe that every choice we make can bring us closer to, or take us farther away from, a harmonious existence. And our wellbeing is multi-faceted, if one area of our life is out of whack it effects everything else about us. What we eat, what we put on and in our bodies, how we integrate with our environment, how we spend our time with loved-ones, how we nourish our brains and imaginations...it ALL matters. I want to share information with you that I find truly valuable in living holistically; taking care of our whole selves. Thank-you for visiting! Kim Smith All photos used are my own, unless otherwise noted.