We said good bye to the Torres family Friday morning. They headed home and we finished readying the truck and trailer to hear further west.
We were delayed in leaving while Josh completed a "side mission" helping campground neighbors in a tough spot.
It caught both of us by surprise at how quickly you become aquatinted with the people around you at campgrounds. We'd spent more time with them and knew more about them in three days than we had with most of our neighbors in the three years we'd lived in our last house. When they had a heartbreaking issue come up Friday morning, Josh and I both felt deeply for them. I managed prepping to leave as much as I could on my own while Josh assisted them. He was incredible. It delayed us leaving by an hour or so but what did that matter? "People take priority" is something we've been telling the kids for a while and we are now in an open position to fully live that out.
We finally hit the road and realized again, with excitement and a little apprehension, that we weren't driving back home. We were headed west! Our destination was our first Harvest Host stop at Mesa Trail Alpacas in Jacks Creek, Tennessee.
For those of you who aren't familiar with Harvest Host, it is a program that seems revolutionary except that it is built on the oldest principles of hospitality. For a small membership fee you gain access to a database of farms, vineyards, breweries, golf courses, museums, and churches who have signed up to host RV travelers for one to two nights on their property. They don't charge a fee and there is typically no hook-ups such as water and electricity but they have available land and hospitable hearts and you are welcome to benefit from both. It is customary to patron there business if there is one with a purchase of around $20 as a way of saying thank you. I absolutely loved this idea...and now we were going to test it out for the first time.
The GPS said that the trip would be four hours of drive time which we have learned means closer to six with hauling a trailer and three child-size bladders. We are trying to get to the next destination before 4pm so we can set up before the sun goes down. We were making decent time, even with the morning delay, and then I realized we would be passing within 20 miles of the Trim Healthy Mama Cafe outside Nashville, Tennessee. I mentioned cake and Josh agreed to the detour.
After trying one of everything (and restocking on some supplies) we got back in the truck and kept driving. And driving. In the middle of nowhere Tennessee, heading towards the sun while it continued setting quickly ahead of us.
We arrived at Mesa Trail Alpacas a few minutes before 5pm - the deadline for checking in. Marcus, the owner, graciously welcomed us to his land. He showed us where to park for the night (in a kennel field next to a fence with fluffy alpacas grazing on the other side) and said he'd see us in the morning. We quickly unhooked and leveled the trailer, trying to get things ready before it was fully dark.
I struggled with regret for having stopped at the cafe and causing us to miss what would've been a gorgeous sunset over Tennessee hills. I was in awe of the sight and felt like I'd caused us to miss out on something special. Josh was quick to remind me of the morning delay helping our neighbors and it surprised me that I hadn't even thought of that regretfully as a cause of our delay. He said I shouldn't regret the cafe either. We are always going to miss out on something on this trip - and regretting any of it would steal joy from what we do experience. I love this man.
We woke up the next morning and walked down to the barn. Marcus had offered us a tour of the property and we were looking forward to it. It was better than at could've expected! He talked us through the difference between llamas (bigger), alpacas (cuter) and camels (largely different) as they are all in the camelid family. He had baskets of the different fibers from each to touch and feel, including the difference between alpaca wool and sheep wool.
We walked out to another part of the barn where Marcus rang a large bell and a herd of alpacas came running over the hill and into the barn towards us. We were given feed and they ate from our hands. They were all docile females and one was very cuddly. Marcus told us each of their names and showed us their feet - which aren't hooves at all but more like dog paws with two large toe nails.
I was fascinated by the animals but even more so by Marcus. At first sight he is a very imposing man but you quickly saw a gentleness in his movements and a light in his eyes. I had to ask.
He shared his story with us and from the outset Jesus was the main character. I fell in love with this man and his wife and family. He is a part of a motorcycle club (and fully looks it) and he and the other members go to where the church doesn't and brings Jesus to those who need Him most.
It felt like visiting old friends. He showed us the fiber processing mill they have where they process the alpaca wool on sight. His wife spins it into yard and then knits beautiful things. Their store also featured the work of other craftsmen, supporting others in the alpaca world. We gladly made our purchases and thanked him.
We walked back to the truck and trailer, finished packing up and drove away - rested and refreshed.
Next stop: Paw Paws Pecans in Atkins, AR. Another Harvest Host. (I'm so excited!)
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