Alpaquita Ranch
Story and Photos by Eryn Reddell Wingert
A few days after the official start of fall, the weather was warm but with a hint of promise for cooler temperatures to come, when a tour group of about 20 descended on the Alpaquita Ranch.
The ranch – located north east of Edinburg towards Raymondville – is home to over 50 alpacas, hand picked for temperament and, well, friendliness. The visitors, ranging in age from elementary students who had the day off from school to retirees, smiled and giggled as they were paired with their own alpaca to walk around the property. The group basically, had the run of the ranch for a few hours – before regular tour hours opened later that day.
It was all coordinated by Tours by Welcome Home – which offers special tours to groups from resorts and RV parks in South Texas. This particular tour provided transportation from Eldorado Acres in Palmview to the ranch; an informative presentation on all-things alpaca; the hands-on alpaca encounters – which includes walking and feeding; plus, a class on alpaca wool – its different properties; multitude of uses; and natural hand dyeing – using dried flower petals, herbs, and even bugs.
If you are interested in Tours by Welcome Home crafting a group excursion for your RV park or resort, let your local activity director know to contact our tour department at (956) 687-5115.
