Jett's Day 12: Alpacas Up Close

Our goal today was to visit the Hallmark Ranch Alpacas. I found this place using Google and emailed them a few weeks ago to make sure we could visit. It's in Salida. If you're interested in reading more about it, go to https://hallmarkranchalpacas.com/about-us. We were given the tour by Nelson who is the owner of the ranch.

Jett was the first one to get an alpaca to eat. This is Pearl.

We headed out about 9:40 to the ranch which was 4 miles away. We ended up driving through a heavy rainstorm that had some small hail! We missed our turn-off (gravel road) so made a U turn and got there right at 10:00.

Nelson was with a small group of kids so we waited for him on his front porch.

Here's Nelson and a very truthful sign.

This is Wendy. Since it was raining, Nelson didn't want to let the alpacas get wet as they were going to start shearing this week.

This is Paint (because of the white on its forehead. Looks like she dipped her face in a paint bucket.

Pearl on the left and Little Lulu in the middle.

They did a lot of humming while we were in there. Nelson said they don't usually hum, but because they were in the barn, that might have been why.

Nelson got Wendy to snack.

Pearl was aloof at first.

Jett was the first to be successful at handfeeding -- this is Pearl.

The 4 lady llamas -- all related.

I wasn't scared but they were! Nelson took my phone so I could approach them. They seemed skittish around my phone.

C'mon ladies -- it's food.

They had 2 great Pyranees as watch dogs. He put them up because they tend to jump on visitors.

Wendy accepts my offering.

Nelson was insistent on getting Paul's picture, who chose not to feed the alpacas.

Awww. I'm missing all the fun.

This was the puppy great Pyrenees. All muddy from playing in the rain.

This was the only male in the herd. He is kept separate from the ladies.

His name is Elvis.

He was named Elvis because of the "sideburns" he grows.

Gotta say bye-bye to the girls.

Uh oh. More storm clouds in the offing.

They have a small shop where you can buy alpaca related products. Yes, I bought a few things.

Nelson pointed out the Grinch face on the side of the mountain.

He also pointed out what was called the "Angel of the Mountain."

Jett finally does some shopping!

Here's my new alpaca scarf. 

Historic Salida 

In this valley, there were mounds like this.

So I saw this white stuff and told Paul I thought it was snow. He disagreed but couldn't figure out what it was.

See the storm ahead?

Nice little farm in the valley. Raindrops on the windshield.

Getting closer ...

Uh, never question my judgment!!

It's dark as night ... and there's fresh snow.

Climbing up another mountain pass.

This fence was lined with bicycles and old vehicles. 

The end of the bikes ...

Colorado had lots of horses but I kept missing photos of them.

Yeah! Pikes Peak from our hotel.

Dinner at Applebee's. Felt like home!

Tomorrow we are taking a cog train up Pike's Peak. It may rain but who knows ... rain will be off and on so maybe by the time we get to the top, it may be clear.