Heliconias and coffee

Today we went to a private garden from a former Seattle couple, Carla and Angel. They have the worlds largest collection of heliconias, but also have bananas, gingers, copas, bromelliads, water lilies and hundreds of other plants, including a vegetable and herb garden. The couple and their 3 dogs met us at the road and we walked in. The plants were amazing, and we were in awe that they cleared this land, put in trails and planted so many things.

They maintain this large property with the aid of two men.

Unusual flowers in all colors were everwhere you looked.
We divided into two groups and set out to explore. There was so much to see, we could barely contain ourselves.

Common houseplants in Arkansas are huge bushes or vines here.

It was hard to leave, but we had other stops to make.

Our next stop was a private coffee company, where we saw the processing plant, coffee beans growing and drying in the sun. We also got to sample the coffee and purchase some to bring home.

Our next stop was lunch, which was outstanding. We probably ate the most vegetables this trip at lunch today. We have had lots of wonderful fruit, but this was a refreshing change.

Tonight is our last night in the cool mountains. We head back to the city for our last night early tomorrow.