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On the next weekend (Bryan's last), Adrean took us out to his flower farm (if US customs asks, I was never on any farm), and that of his brother. We brought along his two children, Renata (3) and Adrean (5). - P6140030
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On the farm, all of the flower beds have seeping hoses that precisely control the amount of water and fertilizer delivered. These are the tanks that hold the fertilizer and the pumps and such that control them. - IMG 2856 002
Here is a veiw over a large part of the farm, which mostly grows one kind of flower, Liatris, which have long spikes which eventually bloom into purple flowers. - IMG 2857 001
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In addition to Liatris, he also grows Gerber daisies, which he has in some incredible colors. The pictures really don't do them justice. - IMG 2863 001
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While not a rose, this thornless flower is also grown and comes in colors you just can't get roses. - IMG 2868
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All of the unused plant matter is composted and used as fertilizer - IMG 2870
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Gerber daisies in buckets getting ready to be shipped out, with netting around the blooms to protect them. - IMG 2872
After being picked, the flowers rest in dark, cool rooms, and are then dried and refrigerated for boxing so that they will last the two weeks necessary to make them salable. - IMG 2873
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At his brother's farm, another kind of flower called "Million Stars." You can see why. - IMG 2878
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After visiting the farm, we went to Adrean's parents' estate in Cumbaya to spend the weekend. There were a total of three houses and seven dogs, one of which outweighed me (a bull mastiff named "Kaiser") - IMG 2881
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The usual suspects: Pip (the gray hippo-marble) and Mr. Frogman (holding open the computer) take their customary positions on the dash as we head out of Austin. - IMG 2883
Ears are weird. Bet you can't stuff yours into itself. - IMG 2884
After arriving at the scenic Guadalupe mountains, we prepared to head to our campsite from the Rangers' station, but discovered the car wouldn't shift out of park. Here, Bryan tries to find something in the manual that might help; eventually a call to a VW dealership yeilded the answer. - IMG 2885
We went for a hike a few miles into the mountains. The best part: the red trees. The views weren't bad either. Nor the beetle sex. Ahem.