raincation – day 5

photo 5 - Copy (2)This was on the side panel of the New Holland demo combine.

I slept in this morning. Why not? Nothing was pushing me to get out of bed.

Jim headed out to dump Frank. It didn’t get dumped on Sunday afternoon because of the monster storm that was chasing us out of the field. We took it to the farmers yard and left it. Once he got it dumped, he was going to take it to the shed where “the boys” were going to help him put the new air conditioner part in which will, hopefully, fix the problem once and for all. We’ll see.

IMG_4139It was a wee bit slimy when Jim moved Frank to higher ground last night. I was a little concerned that he wasn’t going to get it moved.Β 

IMG_4147The “lake” is slowly, but surely, drying up. You can’t see it, but there’s a north/south road near those poles just to the left of the house. There was even dirt blowing this afternoon.Β 

I needed to go to Garden City again yesterday – and so did Jim. I had to take something to the post office and find a zipper to try to fix Jenna’s backpack. It was enough of an excuse for us to venture out of the Cottage again. We hit the two places I needed to go and then Jim informed me we needed to pick up the right air conditioner part at the parts house. So it was back to Kansas Truck Parts. He came out smiling so I’m guessing he finally won the battle!

On our way out of town, we stopped at the New Holland Support trailer. It was good to visit with some familiar faces. Unfortunately, we may have ruined what they had planned for the afternoon. We sort of took up a bit of their time just because we had nothing better to do.

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photo 4 - Copy (4)The demo combine that’s following the harvest. Anyone wanting to try out a New Holland combine can find the support trailer and they’ll get ya set up!

The New Holland trailer isn’t the only one in Garden City. We found these sitting within the same area, as well:

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These support trailers follow the harvest from south to north. I don’t know how we could do our job without them! I’m so thankful the manufacturers make all effort to get these guys out there for us!

So, after we killed the New Holland guys’ afternoon, we took off and headed to see what it looked like where the Yellow Beast was parked and Jim wanted to move Frank to higher ground. The clouds were beginning to build up again – threatening more rain.

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The real reason Jim wanted to get to the combine was to open a door in the unloading auger to let the water drain and pull out as much rain-soaked wheat as possible. While he was digging, he kept making these grunting noises. “What’s going on”, I asked. “Everything’s frozen tight”, was his reply. I’m guessing the wheat had soaked up enough water and trying to move the auger by hand just wasn’t going to happen. This is why you don’t want to leave a full bin of wheat on a combine during rain. The grain will soak up the water and make a real mess…real fast!

While driving the countryside, I had Jim stop so I could take a couple pictures of what the hail in our area did to the corn.

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Puddles everywhere! As a matter of fact, while we were driving around yesterday afternoon, we witnessed several puddles that were substituting as swimming pools for kids. After the dry conditions, these little kids may never have played in water puddles like this before!

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There’s a 40% chance of more rain tonight. Will we miss it again tonight and MAYBE try cutting late tomorrow? Or will it rain again and extend our raincation? Stay tuned…

10 comments on “raincation – day 5

  1. Marilyn says:

    Oh God, how I am missing this…bad weather and all…='(

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      I’m sure you are!!
      I can’t imagine having to deal with that sort of heartache.

  2. Albert Manning says:

    We look forward to reading about your adventures from your home and out to the harvest fields in the south. It opens a new world to a Canadian prairie farmer who dreamed of following the harvest run ..

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      I’m so very glad you enjoy it and you let me know you’re out there! πŸ™‚
      Hope I’ll be sharing some pictures from the field one of these days. However, until then, I’ll continue to give thanks for the much needed rain!

  3. Tom Stegmeier/ MC Harvesting says:

    Are you going to get a 5 day special on your raincation or do you have to have 7 days all inclusive ,like Mexico !!!

  4. Debra Johnson says:

    Enjoying your blog, but I am hoping for you, as I am sure you are that the rains will be done and you can get busy in the fields again soon. Will love to see a few wheat cutting pictures soon!!!!

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      I will be more than happy to share some wheat cutting pictures. πŸ™‚
      However, I am thankful for the rain. This country has needed it for years!
      Thanks for letting me know you’re here, Deb, and for taking the time to leave me a note,

  5. It raining here in northern illinois also . we have about 3.5 inches in the last week my cousin lives about 20 miles west she has got over 11 inches wished caused a lot of erosion

    • Nebraska Wheatie says:

      Oh my goodness! We’re all getting a lot of rain right now! There’s nothing we can do about it except enjoy the down time. Just wish I was closer to Eli. πŸ™‚

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