The day began earlier than we were used to while on “vacation” (due to the rain break). This morning, we had to move the trailer house. What a pain! Everything had to be taken down, slid in, unplugged and removed just as if we were moving 250 miles. This little trip was taking us to another section of the park – with lower voltage electricity (no air) and no sewer hookup. Apparently the owner of the KOA had people coming in who had booked our space over a year ago. So, we have a new view when we look out our windows for the next three days. After those three days, it will mean tearing everything down again and moving back to a real RV space. I guess I could look at it as practice – how fast can the cottage on wheels go from stationary to road ready?
Tag Archives: wheat harvest
We cut wheat today!
The day started out with dew. So much dew, it looked like it had rained. It was decided that we’d go out after lunch and try a sample just to see where we were at.
Yes? No? Maybe? NO!
Nope…not today. We thought we might get to start later this afternoon but it just didn’t happen. And, it wasn’t because we weren’t ALL anxious to get started.
Jim and I are helping another harvester on this first job of ours. The other harvester is a longtime friend of ours (Delane and Travis Reimer) whom we’ve known for over 20 years. Our kids played together when we reached the Chappell, Nebraska area. There were always a whole slug of kids at that stop – Zeorian’s, Krumbach’s, Reimer’s, Trummel’s, Slattery’s and more. It was the stop the kids looked most forward to (except Jordan, MT) because there were friends to get together with. There were times when the kids were all together in one trailer and the old folks were in another. Rain days were most looked forward to in Chappell so we could gather together for a meal and friend time.
And Then…It Rained
We made it to Burkburnett!
As we were driving through Snyder, Oklahoma and further south into Frederick, I started feeling like we were the last ones to the party. I couldn’t believe the amount of wheat that had already been cut since we had been down just a week earlier. When we were through this area a week ago, we saw four combines running and wheat that looked like it should be cut. The harvesters began their exodus from all points of the Midwest with one thing in mind – cut wheat. And that’s what they did while we were still trying to get a truck repaired and a trailer house packed. Oh well…we did the best we could.
So, after all that work we did to get here, guess what it did last night – it rained. (Hurry up and wait – the harvester’s motto) Our first day of harvest 2012 and it starts as a rain day. Frustrating? Yes but, on the other hand, it gives us a day or two to take a deep breath, get settled and then gear up to the working stage. Those who busted their butts to get here and then had to start right away needed a break, too. It’s always nice to get to a place a day or two BEFORE having to start cutting – not the same day. So, if I’m responsible for their break – so be it. They needed one!
Right now…I HATE harvest!
Wow – what a difference a couple of days can make!
The emotional roller coaster started kicking in last night. Maybe it’s just that I need a little more sleep than I’ve allowed myself since we got home on Saturday evening. Yep, we made it home in the rental car and it was a SAWEET ride! We drove home in a 2011 Chrysler 200. I sort of wonder why we don’t allow ourselves to rent something like that once in awhile just to enjoy some of lifes little treats. I usually drive a ’93 Dynasty (the Nasty) so having something that played a CD rather than a cassette was OUTSTANDING! The Pete was left in Ellinwood for exhaust manifold repairs. Jim is headed south to make the exchange right now andshould be home late tonight.
Since we got home, we’ve attended Callie’s 8th grade graduation breakfast at church, the cottage on wheels has been decorated to feel like home (pictures, etc.), laundry caught up, yard mowed, bills paid, Callie’s ECNC honor band concert was last night, an early morning meeting today, and now working on packing the trailer house. I should be doing that rather than being on the computer but what I need is a little bit of normalcy! Writing this note is the closest thing to that (sorry state, I know).
Right now…I HATE HARVEST! It’s the transition between the two worlds that is the absolute HARDEST! Unless you’ve been where I am right now, you haven’t a clue how I feel. Leaving the harvest world in September and being sucked immediately back into the non-harvest world is even worse! I don’t like having to leave the kids for so long and missing out on so much. Taylor and Callie won’t catch up with us until the end of May. I won’t get to see Jamie, Curt and Jenna until who knows when – maybe mid September. The excitement and romance of the harvest lifestyle sounds like a great adventure (and it is) but there are great sacrifices, as well.
I must get busy! Thanks for letting me “vent” today. We should be back on the road tomorrow. Once the rest of the caravan is headed out the driveway and we’re focusing on the harvest world again, things will start to look better. Who knows…I may even LIKE harvest again.
What Day is Today? I THINK it’s…
The confusion of what day of the week it is has begun. Harvest has a tendency to make that happen. When you’re involved with this job, you don’t run by a clock or a calendar (much). It’s daylight, sundown – rainy day or sunny. So, today is sunny, hot and another day to try to figure out what is going on with this truck of ours.
We made it to our destination – a farm near Burkburnett, TX. This will be home now until the wheat is cut and it’s time to move north. We unloaded the combine and headed immediately north. The issue with the truck is still ongoing. We stopped in Seiling, OK for a quick break and Jim noticed two of the new bolts were broken. A quick run to the auto parts store for more. Things still weren’t quite right so a call to our new favorite truck repair shop in Ellinwood was necessary. They told Jim to patch it up the best he could and get it to the shop on our way home. Jim’s intention was to drive until he could get back to Ellinwood. He made it as far as Medicine Lodge (1:30) and had to quit for a few hours of sleep. The alarm went off at 5:45 a.m. and we were back on the road. Right now, we’re sitting in RMACs shop in Ellinwood trying to figure out what to do next. It looks like we’ll be renting a car to get home and leaving the Pete in KS for a few days. More expense…more worries – that’s what it’s all about (I guess).
I’ll leave you with a few sights from yesterday:
Russell, KS
Do you remember my final thought of last night’s post? ” I wonder what tomorrow will bring?” Well…let me tell ya about today:
Last night Jim was concerned the Pete wasn’t sounding quite right. He didn’t let me know his concern until we were walking to the restaurant for supper. He said he didn’t think it sounded like it was running up to par since we had stopped on the Kansas/Nebraska line for a short break. This morning, before starting the truck up, he was looking things over and said, “I think I see what could be the problem and it ain’t good”. Four bolts were broken on the exhaust manifold. Several calls were made – a couple to fellow harvester friends – and then to a repair shop in Ellinwood.
First Day “On The Road Again” – 2012
We got started just a little later than Jim thought we might today. Tieing up loose ends takes longer than you might think – especially when you know the two pieces going first won’t have a service truck full of tools following them. Jim does a good job of knowing what tools he “might” need on the road and usually, if we need something, he’s got it. It certainly would be nice to have the full inventory to choose from, should the need arise. But, that’s how we’ve done it most of our years of being on the road.
IT’S TIME!
HAPPY MAY DAY!
We were supposed to have left yesterday for Texas with the first load. It decided to rain on Sunday (which was a surprise to all of us) and it set Jim behind a day. We loaded the combine (Jim’s truck) and the header (my truck) late this afternoon. If things go accordingly, we will be on the road again tomorrow.
I’m having mixed emotions about this, though. We’ll be leaving without Taylor and Callie (and Jamie, Curt & Jenna). I’ve sort of come to the conclusion that when all the kids are no longer going with us, this could be a tough time of year – worse than it is already. Harvest just isn’t quite the same without the girls! I’ve never had an issue with leaving before because ALL of what’s important with home has been with us. Now, it’s getting weird 🙂 At least I have the end of May to look forward to – that’s when T & C will be joining us.
The wheat’s changing fast. I’m hoping that once we get home again we won’t have to turn right around and head back. My feelings are that it will be CHAOS when we get back!
It’s ALMOST time!!
I was searching for something else this morning and came across the following video. This was put together by someone who apparently worked for Frederick Harvesting (Kansas) – members of U.S. Custom Harvesters, Inc. A perfect example of what we do! After watching…I’m ready to head south!