Paw Paw's Pecans

 November 16, 2020

We drove down a gravel road just a few minutes off the highway

and it felt like we were in the middle of nowhere.

And it continued on.  It certainly doesn't feel like its a 2 lane road,

fortunately we didn't meet anyone driving in the opposite direction.

And then we came upon 6,000 Pecan trees and knew we had arrived.

We met Billy, the farmer/owner as we drove up, he showed us where to park, 

gave us time to set up and said come on up to the house anytime.

We set up had some lunch and then walked over to the house, tv on but nobody home

felt awkward to be in their house so 
we went out and walked to the chicken coop

Then we saw neighbors who drove up to the pecan sorter machine to buy some pecans.

We strolled over and chatted with this delightful couple.

When I asked if they would be making some pecan pie for Thanksgiving,

the gentleman said "We sure better have some before that!"

The huge pile of husks is testament to the fact that harvest 

season had started.

  Billy came over and took us into the house for a tour.  

Oh, what a house.  It was modeled after a plantation in Louisiana.

The view from the upper balcony, that's our truck and RV

amidst the pecan trees just to the right of the driveway.

Billy & Charlotte started this 6,000-tree pecan orchard from scratch

It was about 10 years from planting trees to their first harvest.

It was there son’s idea that they should start a Pecan Farm.  

He has since grown up and become an anesthesiologist while Billy and his wife Charlotte maintain 6,000 pecans trees here by themselves - no hired workers, just the two of them. 

They also run a bed and breakfast here. I guess running the largest pecan orchard 

in Arkansas isn't enough work for them.

Each bedroom displays a picture of another plantation home that they love.

So if you are in central Arkansas and want to stay at a 

modern plantation home, Paw Paw's is waiting for you.

The homeowners Charlotte & Billy.

In the front room/gift shop.

Here they are husking the pecans.

Pecan husks are shot out thru the red shoot up top

while the shelled pecans go into the red bag.

A processing plant is used to finish off the pecans

that part is not done here.

Charlotte also does quilting and had a beautiful room dedicated to that.

A quilt is about $400.  We did not buy a quilt.

We did buy a praline & cream pecans, chocolate covered pecans,

bourbon pecans, and a pecan log.  All are delicious. 

A little later I took a video of Billy shaking a tree to 

bring down all of its pecans.  The work never ends.

And then sunset at the Pecan Orchard.

Their gift shop is modestly set up in the front library with tee-shirts and pecan treats.  They only grow the pecans and have someone else manufacture the treats with them.
We purchased bourbon pecans, a pecan log, chocolate covered pecans and praline & cream pecans
The property is gorgeous and from the drive in not quite in the middle of nowhere but the road here was kind of narrow and rough.
As night fell the sunset left a beautiful orange glow on the horizon.  And a slight crescent moon rose in the sky.