Talk about "alpaca magic"—this farm and textile mill lets you snuggle alpacas!
What's cute, cuddly, and soft-as-a-cloud? Many animals would qualify, but for the purpose of this article, it would be alpacas! With their sweet faces and fluffy coats, you can't help but smile seeing these gentle animals grazing in the fields. Alpacas have been a viral sensation for quite some time—we follow their antics on YouTube and Instagram—but seeing them IRL beats the internet any day.
Luckily for all of you Marylanders, there's a place you can go to see them in person!
Located on the scenic Eastern Shore, Painted Sky Alpaca Farm was started by couple Mitchell and Linda Dickinson, who in 2012 embarked on their dream to start an alpaca farm. In addition to a working farm, they also operate a fiber mill, the only one in Maryland primarily processing alpaca fur, with goals of becoming 100% hypoallergenic. The best part? You can see all of this on their tours!
Guests can spend a peaceful afternoon touring the grounds and learning about this unique species; the owners are very passionate and knowledgeable about these animals, and it shows. Of course, this is a hands-on visit, which means alpaca snuggles await! Visitors will get to step inside their enclosure and cuddle to their heart's content. The farm warns that visitors will experience a phenomenon called "alpaca magic," which occurs upon petting these majestic creatures. By the time you're ready to leave, you'll be firmly under their spell!
Alpaca-lovers won't want to miss the gift shop, which sells fuzzy keepsakes made of the animals' fur. Purchase cloud-soft hats, gloves, stuffed animals, and other items sure to make your life cozier. Their colorful yarns and rovings would be great for your next crafting project.
Swing by Painted Sky Fiber Mill to have your raw textiles processed and dyed. They have all the colors of the rainbow at your disposal, with different dyeing techniques to meet your specifications. Order turnaround is lengthy at 7-8 months, but the unique service you'll be receiving makes it worth the wait!
Farm & Fiber Mill Tours cost $10 per person and last around 60-90 minutes. They are offered year-round, but due to COVID-19 space will be limited. They also offer group rates that should be reserved ahead of time. Proceeds go towards supporting the farm and its adorable alpacas! If this sounds like an absolute dream, you can make your reservation here.
Address: 95 Knight House Ln, Earleville, MD 21919
*All photos courtesy of Painted Sky Alpaca Farm (Facebook)
Have you ever hugged an alpaca or visited Painted Sky Alpaca Farm before? Tell us about your experience in the comments!