Today was the day we made the trip with the first load to our new “home” – Shattuck, OK. We were in this area last year but stayed in Arnett. The fields are closer to Shattuck and it’s easier to get diesel fuel in Shattuck so we decided that’s where we’ll hang our hat for a while. When I mentioned to Taylor that we’d be staying there this year, she was disappointed. Even though there wasn’t much in the town of Arnett for them to do, it was a memory and had been “home” to them.
The trip was fairly uneventful except for the tire that blew on the header trailer. I heard it right away and was able to get my outfit pulled onto the shoulder without any trouble and it didn’t ruin the fender or rim. We didn’t have the service truck with us this time but Jim had packed all the necessary tools we’d need to make the change. We were back on the road within a half hour. Jim was on a mission today. We were up against daylight and dry wheat. We stopped for the flat tire and a couple “necessary” breaks and that was it. We didn’t stop to eat until we were in Altus on our way back to Burkburnett (8:30 p.m.). We were back to the farm to exchange the Pete for the dually about 10:30.
As I was driving today, I felt that feeling I get when harvest is over. The countryside and the towns take on a whole different look. The excitement of getting there and doing the job has come and gone. The combines and the “cutter camps” have pulled out of town and it’s back to being normal – for them. It didn’t take long, though, before we were going through the small towns further north which were just beginning to take on that pre-harvest feel. The cutter camps were forming, the trucks were in town and once in a awhile we’d see a combine running here and there. In my last posting, I mentioned rain. Most of the combines were sitting when we went through early afternoon. We saw a couple along the highway sampling and only two that were really working. One of them was just south of Shattuck. If the rain hadn’t stopped them, the harvesters and farmers would have been in full swing the whole way north. Gosh…there’s a lot of wheat to cut between here and there! The forecast shows some very warm temps for the next several days. The wheat will be stubble in no time flat and the harvesters will be on the move again. We saw several crews heading north today. This one was pulled over for a quick break. When we stopped for a break, they passed us.
One other thing that really stuck out in my thoughts today was the clothes I would see on the clotheslines. By looking at the clothes, you can generally get an idea of the family living in the house. Most lines I saw had large-sized clothes, towels, sheets, etc. The one I saw, though, that made me smile was a line FULL of little clothes. That house has little guys still running around in it. This made me think about the small clothes I used to hang on my clothesline and how quickly it seems they’ve all turned into big clothes. I’m anxious for Taylor & Callie to get here!
Headed back north again in the Pete.
One of the many oil wells being drilled. Western Oklahoma is full of businesses supporting the oil industry. And the trucks…oh, the trucks!
The rugged Western Oklahoma countryside.
Every time I see these huge windmills, I think about a picture I remember seeing in my best buddy’s, Robin, house as a kid. Her mom had a picture of Don Quixote trying to fight with a windmill.
It sort of looks like a creature but it’s a cotton plant. We happened to see this when we stopped for supper in Altus. There’s a cotton field growing right behind the Applebees.
I best take my shower and go to bed. We’re hoping to get the trailer house moved, parked, set up and back in the field before bed tomorrow night.
Found your site yesterday while looking for ag. information about how wheat harvest was going. Really enjoy your daily activities. My Husband and I were raised on farms and harvest was a big deal my folks had tractor pulled combines and Harrys dad had tractor pulled and ones with cabs. I enjoyed harvest and then hay and workng ground to start over. We do not farm,but watch the local farmers and appreciate the hard work that goes on.
We live between winfield and arkansas city,ks. in cowley county. Don’t think there has been any cutting yet here,but most likely by weekend. I kknow they are wanting to get going.Wheat looks good . weather looks like will be good also for next week. Just wanted to say Hi and let you know we enjoy reading your daily activities. Be careful. Sharon Drake
Oh yes, we have cotton here also and have a cotton gin just west of us. A farmer started cotton in this area about 20 years ago and has been a good crop.Sharon
I am so glad you found my site and you have enjoyed reading my activities. I love hearing about how harvest was done years ago. My grandpa and grandma started this business in 1950s. I really wish I could still talk to them about how things were done and they could see how things have changed. This lifestyle and job is something our family loves. Check out the http://www.allaboardwheatharvest.com site. I think you’d enjoy it!
I am sure you do the same ,but the meals was always a big event. We usually took a full meal to the field at lunch. Never a sandwich,but real meal. Course the hay needed to be taken care of and some garden canning so was a lot for everyone to do. All that and getting the wheat to elevator and hope you did not have to wait very long. We had a oil tank that was moved on to a cement foundation and it was my job to sweep it out and make sure it was ready for burlap sacks of seed wheat. Very hot inside . The door was only opening,course i would try to get out quick and Dad would say missed a spot. Cool off and go back in. Seems over winter the tank was storage for other things. And when folks got finished with their wheat,they would go and help the others that were not done,especially if the weather did not look good.We were within a few miles of home ,so made easy to move equipment. This was the late 50’s and 60’s.and early 70’s .
My husbands family was the same way. Better quit or you will not have time to read all this.ha I hear there is cutting south of Arkansas city, which is at the ok. line. May be more now. It is 8:30 pm. Our Son and family live 10 miles south of ks/Ok line ,west of Newkirk and there are big fields there,I am sure they are cutting.Later Sharon
Thank you for your memories, Sharon! We both can certainly see how technology has changed this industry and the world! I’m sitting in the field right now, under a shade tree, going through emails because I can’t get internet from the trailer house. I used to haul meals to the field. I gave that up, though, in 2001 when our oldest daughter was old enough to drive. Then, I became the hired “man” and the kids took over my job. They do the household and cooking chores while I’m in the field with Jim. I suppose we did that backwards but the thought that went behind it was I knew the job, had the CDL and with one combine you really have to be able to keep things moving. I suppose it wasn’t fair to the girls but they have been a tremendous part of the team and they do a great job. The oldest daughter is married now and #2 has a full time job (with Claas out of Omaha, no less). The 17 and 14 year olds will be catching up with us next week. I can’t wait! It’s really hard for me to try to keep up with everything and they’ll be able to lessen the load. The wheat here in OK appears to be dry so it’s back to work! Thank you for taking the time to “chat” with me!!
Tracy
In your situation a full meal would be a little more difficult. Some guys don’t like to eat a lot and go back to work and in the heat is really not good. mom was always doing a full meal but she was close to house and only way she could get dad to eat before midnight. Sharon