"There we were wearing our sports coats over every item of clothing in our suitcases, trying to stay warm and waiting for sunrise." After driving three days across the rugged Peruvian terrain in search of the ultimate fiber, Carl and Dennis found themselves stranded at 14,000 ft in the Andes Mountains with no food, no water, no cell phone signals, no AAA 24-hour roadside service, no passing vehicles, and no clothing products that kept them warm. "When the sun finally broke over the horizon, we saw ourselves surrounded by the very animal that produces the product that we were searching for: Alpaca. I only wish that we would have had an alpaca sweater and pants to keep us warm during that long night," comments Carl.

Five days earlier Carl Larsson and Dennis Birdsall, the two founders of Alpaca Mountain Trade Company, left the United States in search of Peru's most precious and sacred animal, the Alpaca. "This animal is as mysterious as the Incan ancestry of the Peruvian people and culture in that they both originate from hidden parts of the Andes' 14,000 ft plains but are prevalent in everyday society. Everyone down there wears alpaca and knows about alpaca, but no one can pin point its exact location. We were in search of the source, and mysteriously enough, we found ours van's engine blowing up, leaving us stranded right there at the source."

About four hours after sunrise, a truck full of alpaca herders stopped by the two foreigners and gave Dennis a ride. They dropped him off at the police station in a small mountain town that was the destination for 1,000 people coming to celebrate the town's anniversary. The police drove to the van's location and rope towed them back to where the festivities had already begun. No tow truck existed in this town along with no telephone lines or mechanics, and due to the festivities and their participation marching in the parade, the police could not tow them to the next town until tomorrow. "When you find yourself in a situation such as this, the only thing to do is make the most of it. Carl broke out his guitar, we opened a beer, took swigs from the pisco bottle, and celebrated the anniversary of this precious town."

The voyage did not stop here, but rather lead them on two separate three week excursions taking them to the southern most part of Peru on the Bolivian border and Lake Titicaca to every coastal and mountain town before finally establishing the understanding and contacts necessary to manufacture and to import the finest and highest quality alpaca products for the Denver area. "We have been working very hard to improve our product and offer what the community wants from alpaca sweaters, sweater coats, and accessories to ponchos, throw blankets, stuffed animals, pillows, and rugs. We also offer sheepskin footwear and seat covers."

Image Magazine encourages everyone to go experience the warm and comfortable world of Alpaca Mountain Trade Company. The store's warm and inviting feel offers great handmade gift ideas and can be acclaimed "The Best Store for a Unique Gift This Holiday Season." Why not get a present for someone or for yourself that will last for years and convey the thoughtfulness associated with the holidays. Alpaca Mountain Trade Company is located on the first floor of the Sears wing in the Southwest Plaza Mall. The address is 8501 W. Bowles Ave. on the corner of Bowles and Wadsworth. It is easily accessible from Santa Fe, C-470, or Wadsworth. For further information please look on their website www.alpacamountain.com.