I have always been fond of alpacas ever since I first saw those funny expressions. Alpaca fibers are considered to be one of the softest and warmest natural fibers available.
Alpacas are like a smaller version of a llama and related to the camel. Alpacas and llamas roam together and can interbred, but they eventually separate into their own groups.
Vicunas are the alpacas native to the Andes mountain. They are highly protected and can not be exported anywhere. They also have the finest fur of them all.
I first learned about Vicunas while watching Nature on PBS, the program was titled “Andes: The Dragon’s Back.” A great program to watch if you get the chance. There are so many other interesting wildlife that live in this part of South America.
Introduction from PBS Nature:
Only a mountain range of extremes could harbor such a rich and diverse variety of life forms. Here you will find some of the highest, saltiest, wettest and driest terrains on the planet. Penguins, opossums, hummingbirds, llamas, pumas, foxes, condors, spectacle bears and many more have all managed to carve out an existence somewhere in one of the many worlds that we call the Andes.
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There are many things to do outdoor that doesn’t involve eating out or shopping. You can hike, bike, hit the waterway, camp overnight, or just relax and enjoy flowers in bloom. The best place to help you find these great outdoor spot would be Weekend Sherpa.
I consider myself extra lucky to be living in California, there are many different types of terrain in just one state. Just a short drive away is the Pacific Ocean. And to the east is Lake Tahoe and the mountains. And yet there are still many more places I have yet to discover.
Nice photo of Alamere Falls by Leon Turnbull.
Here are some I would like to see. Have to pack a good lunch and get out the hiking shoes! First stop is Alamere Falls in Point Reyes - 4 miles (8 miles roundtrip) hike to the coast. I don’t know if I can make this one since last time I hiked 4 miles I was sore for days!
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I planted some “leftover” tulip bulbs in some flower pots and soon forgot about them. Surprisingly they are now in bloom! These plants do get lots of nice sunshine and shade throughout the day.
This is the pink tulip getting some shade. And of course my little Dessert Rose (which I prefer to call them, but they are really named “hens and chicks”) in the blue and white pot. They are succulent evergreen perennials. It is a super easy to grow plant.
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