• Friday-What'sUP January 4 - 02:54 pm

Donna MacIntosh recently made a visit to the Keweenaw Alapaca farm in Baraga, for some up close and personal visits with their many colored critters. Donna says it's always a treat to visit these guys, as they sort of hum, making the softest little sounds and they're quite friendly. So friendly, in fact, that Donna figured the black one, named Kelly, remembered her from the last visit she made to see them all.

These cute critters are raised for their wool, which is made into various warm wool products, such as socks, hats, gloves, and afghans to name of few. According to their website: " Alpapcas produce one of the world's finest and most luxurious natural fibers. Soft as Cashmere and warmer, lighter and stronger than wool, it comes in more than 22 natural colors. The extremely soft fleece is non-itchy and hypo-allergenic."
Donna says she has a number of their products, which she loves and wears the woolen socks every night to keep her feet warm in our chilly U.P. winters.

Thanks for taking us along to visit these unique U.P. residents, Donna!

ADDED NOTE: I received an email from David Elmblad with a correction on some of the information I imparted here above:

"I just the love pics of our Alpacas on Pasty central.. Could you please change one thing. The Alpaca fiber is not “wool”, it’s actually fleece. The difference in wool and Alpaca fleece is night and day.
Wool is picky, heavier, and people can be allergic to it. While Alpaca is lighter, non-picky and Hypoallergenic… The distinct difference it what separates wool from our Alpaca fiber. People love the softness, how light it is, no allergies, and it doesn’t hold odor..."

Thanks for setting me straight, David! :-)

So much fun to own live stuffed animals!

Check out the hairdos!

Love their cute faces. Always makes me think about our friend, Laurel (llamamama). I know that she had llamas, but these guys remind me of them.

Thanks for sharing!

Great photos Donna!!! Love da llamas, dey make great mamas. Warm and cute, dere not to shoot...but only for making cuddly fleece.

I will visit the farm in BARAGA this year. It is now on my list of things to do in 2013.

In picture 2 is that a white Great Pyrenees(sp?) They are wonderful herd protection dogs.

Aww..such precious faces!:>
Thanks, Donna, for braving the cold to share such beautiful 'critters'!

Janie, I agree, that does look like a GP. (notice I didn't try to spell it?);)

Dave and Shelly that own the place do have two of the GP's and another herd dog, I don't remember what that boy is, but he is way bigger than the 2 GP's. They also have 2 mules (HUGE livestock protectors...they keep wolves,bear, etc out of the Alpaca's areas) and 2 horses...it's such a wonderful place to visit!

Kelly, the black w/white alpaca DID remember me from our last visit! LOL..she ran right to me, and stuck by me all the while we were out there. These animals are so beautiful and so gentle...Dave showed us some of the grain mix they eat...they heard the cover come off the tub and oh boy, that got EVERYONE's attention!

I got my new socks too! YES!!! Seriously, the products made from their wool is beyond outstanding! It is truly the warmest, softest, incrediblest stuff! And you can order via their website!

Thanks, Donna. They have a doggie bigger than the GPs? wow!!

I love alpacas. I think they are so adorable. Paul thinks its funny that one of my goals in life is to hug one. They look so sweet and soft and huggable.

Thank you for the cool photos, Donna and Mary! And, a special thank you for the web site. I have never felt alpaca before, but I have heard how warm it is. I love to crochet and sometimes knit. This web site has both finished products as well as yarn to make your own. That's awesome! And I would rather spend my money with Michiganders, and especially in the UP! Do they have special hours that they are open to the public, or do you just have to call ahead?

Is there ever any unforeseen alpaca rampage?

I found more info about their dogs on the website

"We enjoy letting people meet the Alpacas that produce this luxurious fiber. They also get to meet our live stock dogs,"Lucy" a beautiful White Maremma, and "Big Jed" a strapping 140 pound Anatolian Shepard. These pure breed, lovable dogs live with the Alpacas year round."

I've never heard of a White Maremma before but I want one!

I don't know if I am remembering to do this right but I found this photo on their website as well

[pic]http://keweenawalpacas.com/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/100_5465.299183156_std.JPG[/pic]

Thanks for that info, Ashley. I looked up both the Maremma and the Anatolian Shepard on the 'net'....the Maremma looks like a big huggie doggie but the Anatolian Shepard looks like it really means business! Both are beautiful dogs!

Thank you Donna! Heading to Baraga this weekend. Can't wait to see the farm and order some "made in America", Alpaca gloves. Love the pictures. Looking forward to seeing some big doggies.

Wonderful pics and information about these animals! Going to go visit these folks website too. Thanks!