They've Arrived!

March 22, 2009: They have arrived! At about 6:30 this evening, Mike Cates of Rocking Box Alpacas pulled up in the longest trailer I've ever seen (26' he told me) attached to a Dodge Ram pickup. When I saw it, I had serious doubts as to whether he would be able to get through our serpentine maze of a driveway to our designated pasture. The previous owner loved trees so much that she had the driveway built around the trees and at times, it makes getting in and out a challenge especially for excavating equipment, topsoil delivery, fence builders and their equipment and now alpaca transporters! Mike got out of his truck, walked the intended route, got back in his truck and drove through like he was driving a tiny sports car! At one point, his front tire was actually off the side of the drive and I was just waiting for the whole thing to roll down the hill sideways! Because of his expertise, that of course did not happen! He wasn't one bit worried!

One hurdle under our belts! Next up, getting the herd into our pasture..of course the upper pasture. Now we aren't talking about a huge area here but it's amazing how fast alpacas are! Mike knew I was a novice because I didn't have any halters or leads (I'm not planning to take them anywhere, I reasoned, why would I need them?) Well, I found out! Thank goodness my son and his buddies Ian, A.J., and Luke were here because they were able to form a human fence to help herd the alpacas into the pasture. I had to record the whole escapade! And thank goodness Mike is such an experienced handler! First Dovis made her appearance and of course wanted to go a different direction than where we wanted her to go. Mike figured that if he got one going in the right direction the rest would follow and that is exactly what happened. Once we got them safely inside the bottom pasture, we needed to get them into the upper pasture.

 Jay with his herding wands and the boys with their human fence tried to get those critters where they were supposed to go...but...the alpacas had other ideas and boy, can they run!! Finally after a sufficient game of alpaca tag, Mike got close enough to catch the cria, scooped him up and whisked him with the rest in hot pursuit into the upper pasture- all I might add without breaking a sweat or losing his patience with us beginners! Then the alpacas got comfortable and started to roll around on the ground. Mike said that was a good sign..that they must be relaxing. Good!

After Mike got us settled, he drove his big rig down our steep and windy front drive with nary a care! The alpacas stood along the fence and looked longingly after him....

We got them settled with hay and water and let them get acquainted with their new digs. It must have felt good to be on the ground and to stretch their legs a bit. They had been in their luxury trailer for 6 days. Mike let us look inside where he had several other alpacas to be delivered. It was pretty comfy in there! Clean as a whistle! Smelled better than some teenagers' rooms!

Our alpacas are here and our adventure is just beginning!!