Two days ago, we put in a pretty big day! The field in Benchland was close to 300 acres so we didn’t have any moves from field to field. This meant a full day of cutting and hauling. There were three tandem trucks moving constantly all day long. It was 95 degrees and the wind blew 35-40 mph all day. By the time we finished that evening, “Frank” had travelled 115 miles (8 trips to the Moccasin elevator), there was little down time and one very tired driver! By the time we got back to the trailer house, ate a little bit of whatever we could scrounge up, and took our showers I was in no way going to sit down in front of the computer. I have a few pictures from that day and will share them now. After the pictures, I’ll fill you in on what happened yesterday.

Moccasin, MT

From being around the truckers in Jordan, I’d always hears about the elevator in Moccasin as this is where they haul to. Now I know where it’s at and can say I’ve hauled there too.

Terri’s truck getting unloaded.

Trains really did use the tracks. This was the one and only time I saw a train go through Benchland.

Nearly 300 acres in this field.

Ok, now let’s get caught up on yesterday. To begin with, the day began later than usual. Ed had a few things to do, the field was nearly cut and it would give more time to dry some of the green wheat berries. So, we had decided the night before to begin around noon. Jim and I treated ourselves to a breakfast at the cafe for something different. The Shade Tree Cafe is such a nice place to eat! It’s almost as though you’re eating in someone’s kitchen. It’s small and quaint and the people working there just make you feel so welcome – they’re very hospitable! We were two of four when we got there. The other two gentlemen sitting together were discussing the fire that had occurred the day before and how it had gotten started by a combine. They thought it had burnt 5 miles or approx. 1,500 acres. The other issue they had a lot to say about was the work that was beginning on the sidewalks in town. There are 100  year old cottonwood trees lining the street. These trees were pulled from the ground by men over 100 years ago while working on the railroad. They were brought into town and given to a resident who proceeded to plant them. Now, however, they are about to meet their demise. They are in the way of the updates. I’m a tree lover and just can’t see that new sidewalks are more important than the trees that have been growing there for 100 years. One of the men said it will be nice to be rid of the cotton that flies every year. If these trees are removed, the entire look of the town will change. If I think of it, I’ll try to take a picture of all the trees that may be on their way out. While we were still sitting there eavesdropping the men’s conversation, several older women came in and took their places at the larger table. I would be willing to bet they’re there about every day for coffee and talk. It just made me think how important this little cafe is to the lives of the people who frequent it. If I lived here, I think it would be a great place to work! It would be like welcoming friends to my home every day.

We finished the field near Benchland with plenty of daylight still in the sky. We moved the combines back to Ed’s airport and then Jim and I decided to take a quick trip through the Bear Springs area that we cut last year and jet over to Winifred via the Judith River Basin. It’s such beautiful scenery and smells like vacation – pine trees. During the trip, I was able to experience three of the very best smells in the world:  wheat straw/chaff being #1, freshly cut hay, and alfalfa in full bloom. Oh…if I could bottle those smells up and pull them out in the dead of winter, it would be awesome! One reason I don’t like winter – no summer smells. I was hoping to see elk on our trip but it didn’t happen.

Once we got close to Lewistown, we decided to go ahead and go into town for supper. We headed to the chinese restaurant that we frequented quite often last year. It tasted so good! After supper, I talked Jim into taking me to the Albertson’s grocery store for some fresh fruit and items the little store in Denton doesn’t carry. Going into a large grocery store after being only in small ones is like being a kid in a candy store! You just don’t realize how much you take for granted when you have a grocery store with so many options. Got back to the trailer house about 10:30 last night. Here’s the pictures from yesterday:

Ed and Terri

Headed back through the two valleys to Ed’s airport near Denton.

Jim in a relaxed state contemplating what to do next.

Probably what he was looking at. 🙂

Judith River Basin

These pictures do no justice of just how deep and wide this basin is!

Judith River

Montana Sunset

That brings us up to date on our happenings. We finished with what we had rounded up near Denton. We’d really  like to find more to cut, if possible. That’s what’s next on our list of “to dos”. We’ll make a few calls and post some signs and see if they lead to anything. If not, I guess we start thinking about making the long trek home.

This a.m., we got up and met Coke and Terry for breakfast. Coke and Terry are the people we cut for last year – good friends! The best part of our job is meeting some of the finest people in this great country and getting to call them friends!! We are truly blessed!! It was so good to see them and get caught up on the past year. Coke and I even had to take a quick walk to the trailer to get the pictures of Curt and Jamie’s wedding. Hopefully, we’ll see them again before we leave this country.

Three months today, Hank and Catherine Hamil lost their two little boys and everything they owned due to a devastating Oklahoma tornado. I think of them so very often and pray that things are becoming somewhat “normal” once again. I know you can never get over the death of a child but I’m praying that God is providing them with the necessary strength to get through each and every day.  Catherine is pregnant with a little girl who is due to arrive October 17. “God giveth and taketh away”. If you’re familiar with this story, please take a couple of minutes out of your day and offer a prayer of strength and peace for this family!