… where the wind comes sweeping down the plain!

Oh my! The wind was certainly sweeping down the plain yesterday as we pulled into Shattuck with load #2. It was sweeping alright – with a vengeance! It was probably a good thing we had wind (as the temperature was near 100°) but 50 mph is a little much. At least Frank didn’t lose mudflaps again and I was able to keep my load on the road.

Harvest was getting back into full swing as we headed north again. The chatter on the two-way indicated the harvesters were working after the rain break that area had. As I was listening, I couldn’t help but feel sorry for an employee getting chewed out by the boss. Apparently, he had dumped grain on the wrong truck. The next thing I heard was something about a shovel and putting it back on the grain cart. Yikes! Just something about an active two-way and the stories you hear.

Shattuck isn’t a very large town but it’s involved with the oil boom in this segment of the US. There are oil trucks, support businesses, and RVs everywhere. I would be willing to bet the town’s economy is much stronger because of it. I mention this because the wheat harvest isn’t what this town’s all about.

We pulled into Shattuck mid afternoon – right at the hottest part of the day. We got the summer cottage on wheels backed into its new location and set up to feel like home. The wind was blowing so hard and the heat was bearing down so intensely, Jim decided we needed to walk to the restaurant just across the parking lot and get a large glass of tea. The cool restaurant and Iced tea certainly helped boost the energy level.

After the cool down, we headed back out to the field to begin the unloading process and to meet with the farmers foreman. We needed to have Wes show us where each field was and which one he felt should be started on first. After our tour was complete, we continued getting the equipment field ready until dark.

It was after we got back to the trailer last evening that I realized I had no Internet service. Ugh!! But, as all harvesters do when we have to, we move onto the next thing. I went to bed!
Ok, I thought, I have this smart phone now and I’ll just figure out how to make this work (which I’ve tried). Dang! I wish the girls were here so they could give me a lesson or two.Today, I brought my computer and Internet card to the field…just in case it would work. I certainly hope I can figure this out!

The wheat harvest has begun in southern Kansas. A record date for them. I have a feeling it could be this way most of our run. I’ve also heard Montana is looking at freezing temperatures for the next several nights this upcoming week. What will the custom harvester do if we’re done cutting wheat in July and the crop in the northern country is short? Go to the lake, I suppose.

Currently, I’m sitting in the shade of the tree waiting for Jim to get back from the elevator with the results of the moisture sample. It appears to be right on the line of being ready to go. Tomorrow is predicted to be near 100 and the wind is supposed to blow 40 mph. That should help get that yellow beast working once again!

While we were waiting for the wheat to dry, Jim decided we should take advantage of the time and change the sickle.

PS we are cutting! 12.5% moisture, 61 lb test weight and averaging 35 bu per acre.