Visit enchanting animals at
Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm Boutique sells high-quality items made from alpaca fiber “They’re therapeuticand COLIN MERRY VENTURE STAFF WRITER (they) calm people. People Anybody looking to get up-close and personal with some enchanting animals need only to visit the Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm to get their fix of cute. The farm, owned by Chris and David Nelson, is located at4907 River Road Frankfort. Home to more than 50 alpacas, the working farm breeds and sells alpaca, as well as harvests and creates fiber out of alpaca fleece. Visitors to the Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm can see a working farm in action, visit the Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique and check out the Animal Park where they can pet and feed animals. (Courtesy Photo)
They Crystal Lake Alpaca Boutique features a wide variety of products made from alpaca fiber, which is hypoallergenic, water resistant and fire resistant. (Courtesy Photo) 6 MANISTEE NEWS ADVOCATE
The farm is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, according to ChrisNelson. “The time has flown by; it seems like we just got the alpacas a few years ago but we’ve been doing it for 20 years,” she said. “When you do something you like and enjoy, time flies when you’re having fun.” Visitors to the Alpaca farm can watch the animals in their enclosures, walking, eating and playing. Many find watching them apeaceful experience, and theymakea calming humming noise as they go about their business. Curious animals, the alpacas may even wander over to investigate people watching them. As the year goes on, people may see baby alpaca, called a cria. “They’re enchanting, sweet and peaceful,” Nelson said.
come to the farm, sit on a bench, watch them grazing and frolicking. They look at you. It’s just, you feel your blood pressure go down. They put you at ease.” There also is an animal park, where people can pet and feed alpacas, Nigerian dwarf goats and miniature donkeys. “We started the animal park about three years ago,” Nelson said. “People wanted to get closer to the animals, and we don’t let people into the pastures with the alpaca, so we thought an animal park would be a good idea.” Aside from the animals, the animal park has a seating and picnic area for families who want to stay a while with the animals. Visitors to the Crystal Lake Alpaca Farm might also run into the alpacas’ guardians, several great Pyrenees, dogs that watch for coyotes or other predators that might try and sneak onto the farm at night. What started out as six animals is now a herd of 50 plus, and the Nelsons raise 10-13 babies each year. “We do sell them,” Nelson said. “We attend alpaca shows. We do quite well in competitions. We’re not breeding to have a
