A is for Alpaca, Friday, 05/07/21

Continuing our North by Northwest track and keeping to secondary roads, we made our way from Big Spring, Texas to Clovis, New Mexico.  With a hefty tailwind, it was more like Tergel had wings and flew -- it was fabulous.  The scenery, however, left a lot to be desired.  This section of Texas isn't pretty, I'm sorry to say.  The first part of our drive seemed devoid of life except for oil and gas "stuff," interspersed with acres of brown dirt, some furrowed, some barren.  No birds, no road kill, no trees and definitely no wildflowers, nuttin, honey.

On the second half, the area was more devoted to farming, but here, again, were the many abandoned homesteads.  Did the occupants just walk away?  Or die and the kids wanted no part of what was left?  Or maybe a corporation bought them out and left the home to rot?  Unknowns.  We've seen prettier country, though.

We kept our eyes on both clouds and radar, as we wanted no part of a thunderstorm if it could be avoided.  Happily we pulled into Windrush Alpacas in Clovis, a Harvest Host site, and parked.  Our host, Rosemary, greeted us with a small bag of alpaca treats and another small bag with a people treat!  (yummy cookies, many thanks!)  She said we were free to roam the grounds, visit with the animals, and simply feel at home.  

This big white horse was the first animal that got our attention as it was standing in front of Tergel's big windshield.  Jimmy patted its nose and then I guess it wanted a flank rub, too.

We walked all around the grounds (Rosemary had a vet app't with her indoor cat) and fed the alpacas their treats.  These animals are curious, friendly, and gentle.  And cute.  Certainly cute!  If I remember correctly, Windrush has 49 alpacas and two llamas.  The alpacas had recently been sheared for summer.

Chickens and guinea fowl are also Windrush residents.  Guinea fowl are kinda odd-looking and they're noisy!  Good to have on a farm as they eat ticks.  But they are loud!

Not these guys ... they're very quiet.  Sweet.

Love the "do."

This gal, especially, liked the treat and she didn't want to share.  FYI, girls and guys are kept in separate areas and aren't bred.

Who can resist this face?

After an hour or so, the wind really began blowing.  Dust was flying.  Our windows were open!  We raced back to Tergel to close windows and vents and waited out what was a fierce dust storm!  A giant yellowish cloud enveloped everything in sight.  I don't know how long it lasted, but eventually it died down and we went back to the alpacas.  

This is dry country, in spite of the clouds and threatening thunderstorms, which never did materialize.  The alpacas have lots of hay to eat.  You know that cows have four stomachs.  Well, alpacas only have one, same as us.  Their fur (fiber) is very soft.

Above are the two llamas.  These guys make sure the alpacas are kept safe -- they'll kick anything that threatens.  Uh-oh, look at the sky.

Another couple, Hannah and Cody, had come in and parked next to Tergel.  They're also spending the night via Harvest Hosts.  After eating our dinner, Jimmy and I joined them outside.  Just about the time we four were going to follow Rosemary's husband, Ric, around to learn all about keeping alpacas, the wind began whipping dust again!  The sky was full of blowing brown dust.  We four ran to our rigs to escape the duststorm.  Every surface, everything, every inch of Tergel is coated with a brown grit.  When I showered, brown grit went down the drain.  Ears, eyes, nose.  Bleah.

This cheerful, idyllic scene made up for the miserable dust.

They don't have top teeth, so they won't bite as they take the pellets from your hand.  Kinda tickles.  The alpaca above slobbered, tho.  That's what soap and water is for.

As the sun was setting, Hannah and I both emerged from our rigs to gaze.  In conversation, we asked each other where we're from.  Hannah said, "Louisiana."  I replied, "I used to live there!"  "Really," she said, "where?"  When I told her Watson (tiniest community ever), she said, oh sure, I know where that is.  No kidding?  I knew the road where she lived.  Watching this spectacular sunset, we marveled at how small the world is.

She and Cody came in Tergel to sit a spell and we shared stories and smiles.  Life is good.  Maybe we'll meet again.

And a shout out to Rosemary and Ric at Windrush Alpacas for sharing their farm and animals with us.  You can't control the wind (darn it), and we had a good time visiting in spite of it.  If you're considering a stay here, don't worry; this was unusual weather.  Recommend!