100% Natural Alpaca Blankets from the Middle of the World

PurelyAlpaca.com, an alpaca specialty online store since 2002 is very pleased to announce the arrival of 100% Natural Alpaca Blankets from the middle of the world.

In May 2013 PurelyAlpaca undertook an Adventure Research trip through the highlands of the small country of Ecuador. Since 2002, PurelyAlpaca has promoted alpaca with outreach and products from all over the world. From hand made items created by artists and American alpaca farms to South American indigenous peoples imports to products from huge Peruvian manufacturers, PurelyAlpaca offers the widest array of alpaca products to showcase the beauty, luxury and value of this Earth friendly renewable resource.

Our goal in traveling to Ecuador was to seek out new sources of alpaca. We visited alpaca farms, alpaca manufacturers and of course ALPACAS throughout the high mountainous center of the country. As a result of that research, a new shopping category, Ecuador Alpaca is open. The Ecuador Alpaca section of www.PurelyAlpaca.com offers beautiful examples of alpaca craftsmanship with clothing accessories and now 100% Natural Alpaca Blankets.

The wonderful colors, textures, vivid landscapes and long standing traditions of Ecuador are shown via the link below. We specifically sought out the small but long standing alpaca culture in the mountainous highlands. Waning in years past, Ecuador is currently experiencing a reawakening of alpaca traditions on many levels. In our travels we also met many "Ex-patriot" Americans helping in the resurgence of alpacas in Ecuador.

Ecuador Alpaca Research Trip

100% Natural Alpaca Blankets have been produced under the guidance of Patricia Espadero, DVM and Stu White and All Things Alpaca Ecuador. Stu is an active American professor in Vermont who lives in Ecuador outside of the beautiful city of Quenca with Patricia and their three children. One of the many things Stu does with alpacas includes bringing groups of American students to Ecuador to explore animal husbandry and sustainability for college credit. Involved in Ecuador since the early 80's, Stu has been instrumental in the resurgence of alpaca farming in this small country. His focus has always been on herd quality, herd health, sustainable farm practices and fair trade business opportunity for native Ecuadorians.

Patricia is an Ecuadorian Veterinarian who also operates the Mazar Wildlife Reserve, Ecuador. The Mazar Wildlife Reserve (MWR) is a 4400 acre private conservation initiative which protects wild habitats in an ecological restoration in the heart of a true Andean biodiversity hotspot. The native forests and grasslands are home to the Andean mountain bear, mountain lions, the spotted forest car(oncilla), brocket deer, 160 species of birds and other priceless animals. New species of frogs have been discovered on the MWR.

The exquisite yarn for the blankets is produced in a family-business spinning factory in Guano, Ecuador a town in the shadows of Chimborazo volcano in the central Ecuadorian Andes.

Sales of products such as these blankets generate funds to maintain the Mazar Reserve as well as expand the development of markets for the local indigenous alpaca farming, knitting and milling operations in Ecuador.

Stay tuned to new products from Ecuador by getting our newsletter.



-Brian
PurelyAlpaca

USA Made Alpaca Socks Bring Warmth to Riding Adventurers

November 16, 2013

PurelyAlpaca.com is a family owned alpaca products web store in the USA which since 2002 has promoted the cute, lovable and ultimately useful alpaca with 100s of products, ranging from little trinkets for alpaca gift lovers to ultimate luxury garments costing thousands of dollars. We are also avid motorcyclists and as such do "adventure touring" all over the USA, Canada, Mexico and in the spring of 2013, Ecuador. We have well over 200,000 miles of adventure riding behind us and look forward to many more adventures. Next year, perhaps riding in India or a trip across the USA, and back.

As any seasoned rider with tell you, having the right "gear" is paramount to enjoying the adventures of the open road. Nothing ruins a trip more than being too cold, too wet, too hot or just not prepared. There's an old saying we go by, credited to Norway, "There's no bad weather, just bad clothing!"

Recently, we discovered the wisdom of that phrase with great solutions in our own product line. One of the superior features of alpaca socks over other materials is its natural ability to wick moisture (sweat) from the skin while providing comfortable warmth. We discovered this recently on a long trip to Reno, NV. The main road to Reno from San Diego, US HWY 395 is a long, quite easy highway with generally low traffic, beautiful vistas and quiet serenity. There are multiple natural stops along the way to enjoy, old mom-n-pop businesses, little quaint towns, open desert beauty and majestic mountains to admire.

On the Reno trip we tested our Superwarm Alpaca Socks from www.ChoiceAlpacaFootwear.com and the new OutdoorAdventure Alpaca Socks in varying conditions of cold and hot. On the way up from San Diego, it got pretty COLD! The high mountains South of Reno reach over 6000 ft high and temperatures can drop significantly. After hours in "the saddle", your exposure to cold temperatures can really seep in and start to take their toll. Riding cold is NOT fun! Even if everything else is good, if you're feet get cold, you're COLD! The cold runs up from your feet and taunts the rest of your body. But we were good... the Superwarm Alpaca socks did a great job! They kept the otherwise cold leather boots from seeping cold through to our feet while at the same time, "breathing" out any foot moisture.

On a previous trip under similar conditions we had forgotten the alpaca socks. You pack minimally on a multi-day motorcycle trip and can almost unconsciously leave something out if we think it won't be needed. On this trip we found ourselves without our alpaca socks and thereby "stuck" with cotton. Two layes of cotton socks didn't do much. Our feet froze and to make matters worse, the foot started getting damp too... then the dampness got cold!  Not fun!  Our alpaca socks would have avoided this problem with their natural ability to wick away moisture, keeping feet fresh, dry, warm and comfortable.

On our way back from the Reno trip it was significantly warmer. We decided to test the new OutdoorAdventure alpaca socks. These are significantly less bulky than the Superwarms yet are made from the same yarn. They offer comfort and wicking as well. Though the weather back from Reno was likey too warm for these socks, we found an interesting result... by mid afternoon our feet were very warm but as the moisure came off our skin, it was being wicked away, and our feet, which would have been wet with now HOT sweat were comfortable and dry. When we finally arrived home and with the boots off, our socks were dry and odor free. Try that with wet sweaty STINKY cotton socks!  As a matter of fact... I'll admit this here... I once did a 5-day "odor endurance" riding test in alpaca socks. No washing... and no sticking after 5 days riding. Cotton socks would have started to really "grow" under those conditions!

While on the road we like to "motel camp" as it were. Long, long days of riding then a nice cool motel room is camping enough! Once we're off the bike the boots come off and stay off! We find our new SlipperBootie alpaca socks work great as easy comfy cushioned slippers for around the motel room or walks to the ice machine. The compact size is important because of our limited storage space and the comfort and warmth of the SlipperBooties are just what is needed to relax.

As we say, bad clothing can ruin an adventure. No matter what your adventures, the proper gear can make a difference. With these alpaca socks from Choice Alpaca Footwear you'll enjoy natural comfort that will keep you enjoying all those adventures!

To your journey!
-Brian

Purely Alpaca Travels to Ecuador

We had a wonderful time exploring the country of Ecuador in May, 2013 seeking out alpacas and the people involved in the small but growing alpaca products resurgence in this small country on the Equator and West coast of South America.  See our pics of images, people and products.

Alpaca Cyber Monday Specials and $50 Coupon at PurelyAlpaca

Alpaca Cyber Monday Specials and $50 Coupon at PurelyAlpaca

PacaBuddies Toy Alpacas a Big Hit

PurelyAlpaca.com is pleased to announce the new PacaBuddies Plush Alpaca Toy

A PurelyAlpaca Exclusive item.... 
These new PacaBuddies Alpaca Stuffed Animal Toys are the cutest things since.... alpacas!

The perfect gift for the alpaca lover, take one on a trip, to the office or anywhere you are to keep you alpaca happy! Of course alpacas do not want to be alone so be sure to get a complete set!

See details listing about the PacaBuddies here:  

http://purelyalpaca.com/alpaca-toys-pacabuddies-alpaca-stuffed-animal-toys-p-1355.html