• Wednesday-What'sUP June 18 - 08:40 am

Llamas and Alpacas, oh my! They're both members of the same animal family, called Camelids, which originate from South America, but have now officially become Yoopers, residing behind a fenced in haven in Toivola! The Country Oasis, is the place to be if you'd like to learn more about these wonderfully gentle creatures and their habits. Not only can you view them, but for a nominal fee, the good folks at the Oasis, will give groups of ten or more, a two hour presentation which features the history of the Llama and Alpacas and their uses both here and in South America. A luncheon is included and a reservation to attend is needed, but you'll also get a chance to walk and pet these unique critters too! Their peaceful, exotic ways are guaranteed to bring a smile to anyone's face! For more information, contact: Country Oasis at (906) 288-3700 or by email at shopkeeper@countryoasis.com. Our thanks to Reid Susmark and staff for being one of the Pasty Cam's earliest sponsors, and helping to bring your daily fix from the U.P.

You can bring a smile to your family's face if you make plans to be in Calumet on July 2nd for Pasty Fest 2005, where you'll be able to partake of a free U.P. Pasty. Of course there's a catch, you'll need to be one of the first 400 hungry attendees and have the newspaper coupon in hand. Should be a fun time with good eats, a parade, games, music and plain old fashioned fun!

They better hide in November !!!!!

Someone should knit them scarfs. That'll help come Nov.

I once talked to a guy in Colorado who led week-long hiking trips; he used llamas as pack animals, as their feet are easier on the landscape than horse hooves.

Is there a market that makes thse animals profitable to raise,or are they just for pets?

Oh my it just does not get any better then this!! My two passions - the UP and llamas!
John and Anne, yes they can be very profitable and they can be pets. We use them to pack, to show, to do PR (they visit nursing homes and other aid facilities-something Stillwaters can consider?) parades and other events.
These are peaceful, gentle creatures that have evolved into rugged creatures in harmony with the environment. I will talk too much on this here. Please contact me if anyone has further questions!

Oh, I love it! Does this put to sleep my notion of "Watch Llamas"? These creatures are beautiful. I think they can survive in the UP in November--am I wrong?

I agree with Marko - These guys will have horns come November.

These guys are becoming a trend here in eastern Iowa. Some folks are using them to guard off preditors from their herds of sheep, miniature horses, and so on. Interesting animals they are.

LZ: recently I saw a show on showing llamas, just as detailed and competitive as the horse shows!

I have a jacket made of llama wool - they can be sheared just like sheep. It's a warm and cozy jacket and in my opinion a bit softer than sheep's wool.

I think Marko was referring to Hunting season in November...not the weather. They are cool animals!

Yes, llamas can survive a Keweenaw winter. They live in the Andes Mountains in South America, which can get much colder that the U.P. in winter because of the high altitude.

I saw alpacas sheared at a farm near Lansing. They had about 30 alpacas there that they raised. Each had a name. Two were pregnant & due at any time. It was very interesting watching them shear them. They bring each in one at a time & tie their legs up in a rope. The two front together & the two back together then stretch the legs out tight. This is so the alpaca don't kick. They sometimes spit because they are mad. The shearer are very professional, it only took about 20 minutes for him to do one. Guess this shearing is done once a year.The wool is very expensive to buy, they make beautiful sweaters. My grandchildren had a nice time petting the alpacas & they were very gentle & didn't mind the kids being there abit. I found it very interesting.

Llamas and Alpacas are used to pack supplies up to the lodge on
Mt. LeConte in the Smoky Mountains here in Tennessee. There is
no other way for supplies to be economically packed up those
trails!

Mary, I'd like to give a shout out for one of the *new* sponsors of Pasty Cam. I check the new ones out as they are added and ran across Prime Designs Online one day. I contacted them about their Cool Tool handmade knife for my husband. I got it, he really likes it and I had great service from Phil(I hope I'm remembering your name properly) at Prime Designs in Atlantic Mine. When I sent him payment I included a card to be enclosed for my husband. It was all such fun. It just a real pleaure doing business with Prime Designs Online. Sally Nelson

Just wanted to pass along some kind words to the people of Lake Linden from a friend of mine. She had been visiting in Lake Linden for graduation and was staying in her motor home when by accident a window had been left open. Her cat, Dudley, got out through the open window and is missing. She commented on how friendly the people were in helping her look for her missing friend. Hopefully by now, someone has found him and taking good care of him!
Thanks!

Laure, I've had my eyes peeled looking for Dudley and have one of the fliers sitting on my desk here, as I live near the campground, but nothing yet. I'd appreciate if you could drop me an email if you hear that Dudley has been found! Mary Drew - mdrew@pasty.com ~ Thanks!

By FRNash/PHX, AZ on Wednesday, June 15, 2005 - 12:00 pm:

How neat, the Copper Country has both a monastery at Jacob's Falls and a "llamasery" (a monastery of llamas?) in Toivola!

I remember my first visit to the Upper peninsula I saw llamas and alpacas, chachalacas, a flamingo, a giant toad, (also called cane toad and marine toad), black iguanas, a collard anteater, a vine snake, a jaguar, some spider monkeys, and two pumas. It was hot and we bought sombreros...wait a minute.... that was the Yucatan Peninsula not the Upper Peninsula!
Oh well nice picture.

I think I'd Rather snowshoe from Iron River to Copper Harbor In January in nothing but my undershorts than listen to a 2 hour presentations on llamas. But hey, thats just me.

I took a near identical picture of the same fab four last week.

What's a chachalaca?

Chaco Chachalaca (Ortalis canicollis)
The Chaco Chachalaca is found in the centre of South America where Bolivia, Paraguay, Argentina and Brazil meet. There are two subspecies and this one is the O.c. pantanalensis which is larger and browner than the nominate subspecies.

In the Pantanal they are usually in large groups, perching up trees and making a tremendous noise. They can be heard over a distance of 2 kms and the male sings one octave lower than the female. They often sing a duet but there are usually so many singing at the same time that this is difficult to detect.

Downstate Don, What is the name of the llama/alpaca farm in Monroe County. It was on Stewart Road...I believe. It was the first llama/ alpaca farm in Michigan...and they used to have llama/alpaca shows at the farm each year. Is it still in Monroe County?
I used to drive by the farm all the time when I went to EMU. One of my professors got a hoot when I told him I was late for classs, "because there was a llama on the road/on the loose".

Lz the llamamama check out www.monroenews.com
A woman is starting a new llama/alpaca farm in Monroe County Michigan. Click on archives...it was in the online paper last week.

alpaca fleece is great to knit with--very soft yarn--they sheer the alpaca like sheep and spin the hair into very nice wool.

Would they be Green Bay (al)paca fans? (Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Sorry Sur5er I cannot help you out on that one!
Don't recall seeing any llamas or alpaccas in
Lower Michigan. Last one I had seen was in San
Diego at the Zoo. There may be a farm in Monroe.
Don't ever get that way.

There is another alpaca/llama ranch in da UP.
Jeff and Jennie Anderson's SNOWY RIVER RANCH near Northland. Nice people and friends of ours.

The next time I go past the Country Oasis, I am going to stop and visit with these fine looking animals. They would make excellent pets from the cute looks on their friendly faces.

danbury: A little shakin, not stirred. :)

My brother's family has a llama and he's become a gentle
pet. Out here we occasionally run into them while hiking on
the mountain trails, as the US Forest Service uses them to
pack supplies for trail maintenance and meadow repair.

Hi Everyone,
Thanks for all comments on the Alpacas and Llamas at Country Oasis, they ARE the most adorable creatures, although they have their moments just like any kids.
And to those that think a two hour talk would be boring, you couldn't be more wrong. It's fun, interactive, upbeat, informational and I feed you too and I'm a pretty darn good cook! If you don't want the formal two hour thing, just stop by and say Hi, no charge to look and Jack would love to get a whiff of you! Bring the kids, he LOVES kids. Hopefully this time next year we'll be shearing and have a new Llama cria...look that word up! Thanks again!

Reid

Wow I will have to stop and see them. Really cute.