I thought we were done yesterday because the red combines were sitting in the yard and our strip was finished. So, I was surprised late in the afternoon when I got back from the elevator and saw the combine headed to another mile long strip. I asked Jim what was going on and he said, “They’re being good to us”. Thanks, guys, we certainly appreciate it! The best part of this job is working for some of the best people in the world! I truly am going to miss them.

Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get any more cut beyond opening up that last field before we got rained out. We didn’t get a lot of rain – just enough to dampen everything and smell good. There were several lightning strikes that started small field fires near us. Thank goodness they got put out before they turned into something like Colorado Springs or Last Chance!

It was after 6:00 p.m. when the elevator called to see if we’d have any more trucks coming in. If we didn’t, they were going to close.  Jim figured that was good enough reason to call it a day and we headed back to town. When we got back to the trailer, it was decided we’d go to the local Mexican restaurant for supper. This decision was unfortunate for Callie as she doesn’t really care for Mexican food. So, after she watched us eat ours, we went through the McDonalds drive thru for her.

The rain cooled the air in Limon. Denver’s 10:00 news said the showers didn’t make it to Colorado Springs. Earlier in the afternoon, the radio announcer was asking people to donate items for the firefighters. Items which I would never have thought to donate – eye drops, socks and baby powder. I can’t imagine trying to fight fire in heat like we’ve had. The fire has destroyed 346 homes, making it the most destructive wildfire in the State’s history. A local news source stated this fire is “one of the worst fires to hit the American West in decades” and is only 15% contained.

Apparently the shower that rolled over our field must have caused other harvesters to have to quit early too. There were more harvesters’ pickups parked in the KOA than I’ve seen in a while. Now, if we had enough rain to stop us for a couple of days, we might even get a little visiting in. As it is, though, we should be back in the field this morning.

Standing on top of the combine looking down on the grain bin.

This is what wheat looks like before it’s milled into flour for your bread.

The mound of wheat in the grain bin of the combine.