Alpaca

Yesterday we got to visit an alpaca farm, 4 Oaks Alpacas. Alpacas are beautiful and graceful, long-limbed and long-necked. They look like a cross between a poodle and a ballet dancer. They seem impossible and odd to me, like fantasy creatures from a storybook. I wonder if people who have lived all their lives surrounded by alpacas think that cattle look odd, all thick-legged and wide, or that horses look impossibly broad-chested and round.

We were greeted by friendly (and well-behaved!) family dogs and welcomed by the farm owner, Mr. Williams. What a gracious and kind host. He answered questions and told us a little about alpacas and about his farm-- animal talk to the kids and fleece talk to my knitting mom.The kids tromped around in the mud to feed and pet the alpacas. The animals have obviously been well-cared for, as they are friendly and confident. The ladies and gents thought the animals were pretty nifty. So did I.