Alpacas are adorable.

They hum constantly to their young to keep them close and safe. Not loudly to create a racket but enough to hear them if you stand nearby. They can catch disease from humans so you can't pet them. They're expensive, $25,000 for a female. They live to be about 20. They're native to the Andes. They're raised for fiber, not food or milk.

I learned this all from a 10 year-old girl. She and her best friend (who were both dressed in matching fluorescent dresses) were in charge of handing out flyers and talking to tourists who stopped by the alpaca farm in Skagit County. I fed a pair of alpacas and bought some soft white yarn.