Do you know what an Alpaca is?

I am about to post an entry here that will make you think that every stereotype you've ever heard about North Carolina is true. So yesterday, the day after Thanksgiving, we (the family) had a day to kill and were trying to think of something to do. Well, one hot topic of conversation this year has been that my Aunt Lori has decided to finally buy some property and build her log cabin dream home. She's always wanted to do this, but now she has a new idea--to become an Alpaca Farmer!

This is a woman who went to Columbia and has spent over 30 years rising to the top of the pain management field at the hospital. She is definitely a science, civilization-oriented type of person. In fact, until yesterday, I don't think she's been on a farm in my lifetime.

Anyway, she's been thinking of some different animals she might want to work with and after visiting a very interesting site called Vocation Vacations where you can try out different professions for a few days or weeks before committing your life and life-savings to it. Pretty cool!

So we were all talking about Alpacas and decided to take a trip out to an Alpaca farm nearby (can you believe there was one??)

The farm we went to was called Kipling Pines, where Bill and Cathy, the owners, were kind enough to show us around. If you are in the market for Alpacas or just want some more info, check out their site by clicking above.

On to the photos:

It was another beautiful fall-licious day:

Aunt Lori is so excited to see the Alpacas!

There she is! The first one! Note Steven and Megan in the background:

This one is very friendly. She's just a baby and has been bottle fed:

Ha!

A nice Alpaca headshot, in case she decides to pick up some acting gigs in LA:

The Alpacas have a very strong herding instinct, and must be kept in packs or they will get ulcers!

They have individual, unique personalities. I particularly liked this one:

My mother, the Alpaca whisperer:

I tried to get a few to pose with me:

But they were not too fond of the camera and kept running away:

Will shared my sunglasses:

Ah, home on the range!

Some mommies and a baby:

Alpacas tell secrets:

I loved the light! This farm was really beautiful:

This is the newest baby, only about a month old:

Two babies:

Aunt Lori finding out the dirty truths of Alpaca farming from Cathy:

One of the drawbacks to farm life (i know my fingers look purple, I think it was just a weird shadow). Look at the size of this spider!!

But look at the benefits:

Thanks for a memorable trip--maybe next year, the Thanksgiving pics will have a few extra furry guests :)