June 30, 2009

View of the day-The combine sits at the bottom of a pile of terraces...tomorrow will be a long and winding road.

We were rolling early again today and it was more of the same...a perfect harvesting day, no line-ups and no breakdowns...on the combine at least.

We've been having trouble with the fuel pump in the slip tank on the back of the pick-up. When we bought the new pump last year, we had to have a gender changing collar put on it to use it in the fitting that was on the tank, this made the pump stick up about a foot high. Because the pump was top heavy and the truck has travelled over some rough roads, the weld on the tank was getting cracked and the fuel would leak out when it was full. Marilyn was going to give it the quick fix with some quick steel, just to tide us over, but Al wanted to get it welded...which was the best choice but, when would we get to a welder? We left it long enough that tonight it completely broke the weld and nothing was holding it in, so we dismantled it and tomorrow we visit the local welder. And, oh boy, were the mosquitoes bad!s

We are working on another field that is going around the 50 bu/ac mark and it has a lot of terraces on it which makes for a lot of turning around, which in turn cuts back on productivity. It is the last field we have and we will probably get it done tomorrow and be finished here.

Unless we find some more work...

June 29, 2009

View of the day-Clouds were building all day but stayed to the south of us...someone got it.

Al was up early to take the General to the tire shop where they found a shingle nail in the tire that was giving him grief. He brought the truck back to the camper then we went to get fuel and breakfast before going out to the field.

It was another great day for combining, temps in the low 90's and a good wind, but not a great day for the wildlife. Al spotted a bobcat running across the road about 20 feet in front of the truck on one of his loads to the elevator and Marilyn spent the afternoon chasing two coyote pups through the wheat. Unfortunately one of them is minus an ear and he just kept coming back into the standing grain to hide. It didn't matter which way Marilyn combined or blew the horn, the little bugger stayed just in front of the header. After the field was combined it did take off towards the grass but had to lay down a few times...don't know if he ever made it but the buzzards were hovering around quite a bit. We often see the pups, but have yet to see the adults...

We got the field finished then moved catty-corner to the next field which was one we hadn't combined before...lots of terraces, which were the first thing to get cut just in case we went late and wanted to avoid digging the header into the ground. Al was able to keep up a bit better on this field since it was only running about 35 on the top few terraces but tomorrow we will get into the thicker wheat down on the bottom.

There seems to be so much more to relate, but by the time we get back in and cleaned up it's almost midnight by the time we can get the upload done...and morning comes so darn fast...

No rain in the forecast...we can see the light at the end of the tunnel...

June 28, 2009

View of the day-It's not all about the red...these John Deeres were working in the next field to us.

We actually slept in a bit since the elevator wasn't going to open up until noon, so after a quick trip to McDonalds, we left for the field. Marilyn serviced the combine and got things ready to move to the next field, while Al got the header trailer hooked up to make the move.

We started moving the combine and header the 10 or so miles to the next field...there was no way we could have moved with the header on...and met the farmer on the way, so he followed us to the field and gave us a ride back for the cart and General. Marilyn drove the cart to the new field and Al took the General in to the Albert elevator to dump the load from last night.

Once we got everything in place at the next field it was business as usual. Al was just so keeping up since this field was yielding 60 bu/ac...it slows down progress but is really great to combine and great news for the farmer. It was another gorgeous day...upper 80's with a hint of wind...perfect for harvesting and no sign of rain.

Desperation had set in and it was either get some laundry done or do some clothes shopping. Al made a point of having everything empty for Marilyn around 8pm and sent her to town to get the laundry done while he filled the cart, then brought the General into Great Bend. He needed to get the tire fixed on it that had gone flat again.

No shopping for Marilyn...

June 27, 2009

View of the day-Another productive day for Marilyn as she covers 130 acres...and Al gets 9 loads hauled in.

This habit of getting up early is wreaking havoc with the late nights we've been having. We had to get some shopping in last night after the blog was uploaded, so Marilyn went over to Walmart while Al did a bit of surfing, so it was after midnight when we got back to the camper.

Back at the field Marilyn serviced the combine and Al took the load into the elevator then we started combining by 10am. The forecasts were for slight chances of rain and it looked like somebody was getting it, but we only got 16 drops...no where near enough to quit. There were lots of terraces and water runs to work around, so productivity was down a bit and since this wheat had test weights of 60-63 lbs. and was running close to 50 bu/ac in some places it wasn't surprising.

By late in the afternoon the cold front had gone through and the temperature had dropped significantly. Al claimed it was perfect harvest weather...78º and a bit of a wind for most of the day...Marilyn was glad she had worn jeans because it actually felt cool as she got the windows cleaned off at the end of the night.

A beautiful sunset and loads of fireflys made for a perfect harvest evening...

June 26, 2009

View of the day-Our first Kansas wheat, running about 40-45bu/ac.

We were up early to grab a quick breakfast and drive the 25 miles out to the bins where we would get things unloaded. We wanted to get everything done in the cooler morning temps...if you could use the word cool to describe it.

After unloading the combine and cart, we did a bit of fixing then moved about 10 miles to the first field. After getting the header hooked on, Marilyn started combining, then let Al take over for a bit to enjoy the air conditioning for a change...and to sneak in a brief rest while he filled the truck. The temps were up in the triple digits again, but only for a couple more days then the 'cold' front moves in and temps will be in the upper 80's...of course that is the weekend forecast

Later in the afternoon, Marilyn got to enjoy the company of Maitland, Maddy, Macy and Mandy...not all at once of course, as they came for their annual combine ride. After finishing that field and removing the header we got everything moved back across from the bins to start the next field. We combined until 9:30 when the truck was full then headed back to Great Bend early to get cleaned up then go grocery shopping...and blogging/surfing.

Almost 100 acres today...

June 25, 2009

View of the day-Al says a few prayers at the altar of the tire, hoping for no flats. Actually he was airing up one of the tires that looked a little low. This was the second load to leave town in the 108º heat of the afternoon...at least we had a south wind.

Better be sitting down...Al was up before the crack of dawn and Marilyn wasn't too far behind as we scrambled to get the plans for the day underway. Marilyn gave Al a ride to the Freight and after it aired up and he picked up his morning V-8 he left for Great Bend. Marilyn had to pay a couple of bills and got the camper all ready to go so we wouldn't be draining tanks and hoses in the heat of the day...although it was already 80º at 7am.

Once the slides were all in on the camper, she hooked up the header to the pickup and headed for Great Bend, Kansas. About three miles north of Cherokee, there were flashing lights and pylons set up for a detour...it seems somebody didn't see the pilot car with a stop sign up ahead of the truck hauling a huge turbine section and drove under the trailer trying to pass him on a one lane bridge. No one was hurt, thank goodness, but it meant a back roads detour...a very rough detour.

We had gone through some road construction just outside Medicine Lodge on the way down and as Marilyn reached the town she ended up behind a big crew of harvesters that had to wait for the pilot car to come through. This construction set her back 45 minutes behind the already hour and a half that Al had on her. After taking a pit stop after the road got better, she gave the other crew a chance to get a head and thin the herd out a little.

Back at the bins at Timken, Al had the chance to grab a short nap in the grass after unloading what he could by himself. Marilyn finally showed up and after a quick lunch in Great Bend, we made our way back to Cherokee for the other load. We paid up the last of the bills, got the camper hooked up and Al noticed one of the tires was low on the General so Marilyn pulled up the shop trailer so he could use the compressor to air it up. He got about two pounds out when the compressor ran out of gas. Fortunately we were half a block from the gas station and Marilyn was already walking over with the gerry can to get some.

After filling the can, she left it by the pumps and went in to get an iced tea and "powder her nose" and as she was at the counter, the clerk was looking out the window as a car was driving away, trying to see the license number of the car that had just driven off without paying...or so she thought. There were no other vehicles at the pump and then she asked Marilyn if she had bought fuel...to which she got the confirmation "yep, that's my five bucks worth in the red gerry can". The poor girl was so embarrassed...the other guy in there had a good chuckle over it, and she will probably tell the story over and over again.

We finally left Cherokee for the last time...everyone continuing on with their lives like we had never been there...kind of sad, but you just know there are new adventures up the road at the next stop. We got to Great Bend around 8pm, parked the General and unhooked the shop trailer from behind the camper and went to the campground to get set up for the next week or so. The new pickup pulled the camper/shop trailer load like there was nothing behind it...no overheating, even with the air-conditioning and plenty of pedal left for passing...although Marilyn doesn't like to get too far ahead of Al when they move between stops in case we meet some wide loads or narrow bridges. There sure were a ton of crews moving north today...on our trip back to get the second load we must have met at least 10 or 12 crews and there were a lot in the fields making plenty of dust.

Back at the camper, we have no internet again, so it is off to the Nextech building to upload the blog and get caught up with the email.

And it is in the same parking lot as the 24hr Walmart...

June 24, 2009

View of the day-The temperature today on the truck...and check out the comparison to the winter one.

It wasn't an early morning...it should have been to beat the heat, but it was already cookin' at 9am.

Al went over to Dacoma to settle up with our farmer there, then we moved the big rigs from the loading lot out to the street so they would be ready to go bright and early tomorrow. After a quick cleanup, we were off to Enid to visit the bank and do a bit of shopping...anything in air conditioning today was a must. It was surprising to see all the combining that was still being done along the way...and the amount of fields still standing, although most of the guys combining were locals...

After finding the bank in downtown Enid...no thanks to Marilyn's dyslexia...701 not 107 Broadway, we went to check out the Staples to pick up some printer ink. Marilyn was a bit homesick...just a bit, but was surprised to see the guys in the Tech shirts were actually out on the floor helping customers. She was also impressed with the bulk bins where you could fill up plastic containers with your choice of paper clips, binder clips and tacks...what a brilliant idea.

By the time we went to Atwoods to check out the tools, we were only a half an hour away from meeting our available farmers for supper at Applebees, so Walmart was out of the question. It's like a nap...if it can't be at least 2 hours, it's not worth laying down...ditto for shopping, from Marilyn's point of view at least. We had a great supper and then Al went with the farmers to settle up and Marilyn went off to find the Walmart.

Marilyn was done shopping before Al was finished with his business, so she waited until he was delivered back to the truck at Walmart. We drove the 55 miles back to Cherokee...taking a scenic route...the ever treacherous short cut and then settled up with the campground landlord.

Tomorrow is gonna be a killer...

June 23, 2009

View of the day-Taking the last swipe of Oklahoma wheat.

We got going at 9:30am and could have probably been going sooner but the servicing took a bit of time. The day was one of the hottest yet...stifling and sticky...but it is summer in Oklahoma, we know what to expect. Still it was dang hot.

We managed to get finished around 3pm and while Al took the last load into the elevator, Marilyn got the header unhooked and loaded on the trailer and headed for Cherokee where Al met her once he was done dumping. After fueling up the General at the Coop, we went for a much needed cold drink and met up with our farmer to get a ride back to the field to bring back the combine, tractor and cart.

When we got back to Cherokee, the plan was to get things loaded, but the heat was making that impossible...no amount of cold liquids would cool us down, so we gave up and went back to the camper to wait until evening. Once it cooled of into the low 90's, around 8pm, we went back out and got everything loaded and tied down...Al even took the time to change oil on the combine. Within an hour we were ready to have supper at Pizza Hut...at Marilyn's request for a change. Might have had something to do with the ultra-cold air-conditioning the have there...she usually complains about how cold it is...not today.

Back at the camper we got the grain tickets organized and bookwork done before hitting the shower and heading out to find the internet...Marilyn is still cursing Sasktel and their high priced data plan for her Blackberry...totally useless in Oklahoma and Kansas. At 12:30am it is 87ºF/29ºC on the bank thermometer...

Most of the crews are gone now...we were among the last ones to get here and almost the last to go...

June 22, 2009

View of the day-One cloud threatens to let loose but stays away so Marilyn can finish the field near Dacoma.

We skipped the usual breakfast, opting for a fast snack from the "ZippyMart", hooked up the shop trailer and headed for the combine. Al blew out the filters and rads while Marilyn serviced the combine. We got started combining just after 10am and didn't stop until we were finished with the field. Al kept busy hauling and Marilyn spent the day trying to ignore the alarm that kept going off randomly...even the duct tape couldn't help. We got hold of Ray from ProHarvest and he said he would try and get out sometime during the day

We finished the big field then moved down the highway to the next field passing a deep tillage that Al wanted to get a picture of...no springs on this unit, very different from ours at home. After getting everything shifted, we started in on the next field just as the sun was going down. Al took the last load in and then said we would be quitting when he got back...which was fine until Ray finally found us...so much for an early-ish night. He hooked up his computer to find out what the problem was and it showed the error code was being sent from water separator fuel filter sensor...and it had gone off...2294 times!! When we had purchased a jobber filter from NAPA, the sensor socket was the wrong size so we had to unscrew the sensor from the old filter and put it in the new one and that was the problem...a bad sensor. There will be a new filter going on tomorrow. Once Ray had finished his work, we all went on our way home...another 120 acre day.

We might see the end of Oklahoma combining tomorrow...

Happy Fathers Day! June 21, 2009

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View of the day-Even though it rained, we still managed to make some dust.

We got to sleep in for a change and after a late lunch, we headed over to Alva so Al could see what harvesters were left around and Marilyn could finally get to Walmart.

We called out to the farmer and got the news that it had "only rained a tenth" out at the field. Kind of funny to hear that from a farmer...used to be the standing joke with our old boss, no matter how much it rained, he always said "it only rained a tenth out at the farm" which meant we would start cutting even if it was wet. But it really did only rain a tenth.

Once Al had pried Marilyn away from Walmart, we went out to the field to do a test and while Marilyn took a test to the elevator, Al kept combining...it tested 11.8 so we were good to go. Marilyn made a run back to Cherokee to get the groceries put away before they melted in the truck, then came back to take over combing so Al could take the load of grain into Dacoma...another notch in the General's visor for a new elevator hauled to.

Al got another load in before the sun went down and Marilyn continued combining until he got back then we quit for the night...no sense getting into trouble on a new field...it was a bit soft in places. Al got to get a McDonald's fix in as we were only 10 miles from Alva so we went in for snacks before heading back to Cherokee for the night.

More of the same tomorrow...

June 20, 2009

View of the day-Following the cart as we move to another field...and right into the heavy rain.

We woke up to the sound of heavy falling rain...an inch of it, and were glad we finished the field last night. After calling around to see what some of the other amounts that fell were, we figured there was no sense in trying to get out to the farm to move the equipment...anywhere from 1/2 to an inch.

We went out to bring the Freight and shop trailer in from where they had been sitting the past couple of days. The 1/2 mile out to that field was well graveled so we weren't worried about the road condition. After bringing them back to town, Al decided to get one of the tires replaced on the grain truck since the tire shop was still open.

After parking everything we figured the wind and heat would have dried up the road to the combine enough that we would be able to start moving the 15 or so miles out to the next field. We moved the grain cart to town and parked it by the grain truck, then went back out for the combine and header. Once we got those into Carmen, we took the combine and grain cart and started our drive...pavement most of the way, but very rough. Once we got out to the field, the farmer gave us a ride back for the grain truck and header.

We had been watching the clouds dumping in isolated areas all the while we were moving and we were glad the the big one we were headed into moved to the NE. What we didn't realise was that while we were watching that one, another one was sneaking up from the south and as we drove back to Carmen it just dumped on us. By the time we got there it had let up a bit and had all but quit by the time we got back to Cherokee.

We had changed our plans of taking them out to the field where the combine was and just going home with them and then taking them out when we were to start combining. We figured it was a good night for Pizza Hut and while we were in there another round of downpours hit...it wasn't looking good.

We got back to the camper and decided to watch the movie Slap Shot...good old time hockey...and by the time that was over it was 11:45...and the blog hadn't been tackled. This not having internet in the camper is a pain...

All this rain can only mean one thing...yep...Walmart...

June 19, 2009

View of the day-A different sight to see in Oklahoma...pickup heads on combines. These are hoping to see some canola swaths.
It's nice to see someone reads the blog and is aware of the 8am rule...mind you, we were up already anyway. It was a call to see if we had time to do some extra combining before we had to head north. We left the camper and were surprised to see the day was going to be a weird one...the sky was cloudy and the odd sprinkle was falling...not in the forecast at all.

We went over to check out the fields then went back over to the combine to see if we could finish up the last 45 acres...it wasn't looking good. It started to rain and we decided we wouldn't be combining for a while, so we went figured we would go to Fairview to get some filters, oil and the ProHarvest belt buckles and hats we had missed out on at the kickoff breakfast in Frederick.

When we got back, we decided to do a test since the rain had quit and the sun was trying to shine...15.9% moisture...ouch. We unloaded last night's load in the truck at the elevator, then went back into Cherokee. After checking our eyelids for cracks for an hour, we got the call that the neighbors had cranked up, so we went out to give it another try...12.2% and we prepared to finish the field.

We got done around 9pm and after dumping the truck and parking it in Carmen we went back to Cherokee and Marilyn decided we needed to do laundry since the laundromat is open 24 hrs over harvest. She got everything together, put them all in to wash and dry then picked Al up so he could get a bit of internet in while we waited for the clothes to dry. Everything finished and uploaded by 1:15am.

Good thing we had that cat nap...

June 18, 2009

View of the day-A harvester parked in Cherokee with some pretty fat tires...good flotation.

We had our usual breakfast and while Marilyn went out to service the combine, Al got the header trailer hooked up and brought it to the field so we could load and start moving to Carmen. While Al was tightening up the feeder chain he complained that the morning was almost shot and did we have to start getting up at 5am to get everything done. Marilyn asked what time it was informed it was 11:45 already. As we were driving down the highway to Carmen, Marilyn notice that the combine clocks read 10:30...apparently the battery needs to be changed in the clock that is in the shop trailer. Al was happy he had gained an extra hour.

We got the combine and tractor/grain cart moved first and then the farmer gave us a ride back to the field to get the General and the pickup & header. By the time we got back to the field and got the header hooked up it was time to start making dust...and that is exactly what Marilyn did for the rest of the day, covering 130 acres...very productive.

Al was quite impressed with the elevator this year. Last year he had complained profusely to the manager that he didn't spend a pile of cash on a combine to have it sitting in the field waiting on trucks...a common complaint last year by all the harvesters. His complaining must have paid off because they put in a new leg and Al figured it could easily handle 50,000 bu/hr...ah, yes...the squeaky wheel. Or, it could be that it was planned.

We only have 50 acres left here, unless we find some more work. A lot of harvesters have packed up and moved on already...what a short harvest, although there is still some wheat left to cut.

And now it's time to give the sheriff someone to watch as we park by the library for our internet...

June 17, 2009

View of the day-Al's view in line at the elevator...hot and windy...perfect cutting weather.

Up early and ready for a 100+ acre day. There was no rain in the forecast for our area today and we took advantage of it.

We stopped for breakfast first and got to have a short visit with one of the first farmers we cut for in the area back in the "old days", he had retired and moved to southern Oklahoma. He was the one who introduced us to catfish fishing and every year we combined for him he took us out to try our luck...we did alright and ended up with some mighty fine fish fries.

Speaking of the old days, we were discussing how many years we had been coming south...20 years! That is including the first four years working for someone else before branching out on our own with Al's brother Jeff. Are we that old?? No wonder we know the roads and fields so well...where does the time go...

After Marilyn fueled and serviced, she got to cutting around 9:30am...fortunately the alarm beeping didn't start until later in the afternoon, so she had some quiet time. Ray didn't make the scene to fix it either. We finished the big field and moved over to the last 30 acres for this farmer. He wanted it split in half and the straw dropped for baling on one side...good thing there was lots of straw and the humidity was up in the evening...there would actually be something to bale.

We finished just as it was getting dark and while Al hauled the last load into the elevator, Marilyn got fuel in the slip tank for tomorrow's day of combining. This crop averaged around 35 bu/ac, some places it was as high as 55 bu/ac, not bad for a crop the frost had kicked earlier in the spring. Test weights have been down, though. Al took a picture at the elevator of the current price of wheat. Things must have slowed down a lot because Marilyn saw Al back in the field in a 1/2 hour and figured they must have put the run on him because he was back so quick. Lots of cutting got done yesterday.

Tomorrow we do the opposite of what we normally do...we are going to head south. We have some work to do around Carmen, about 20 miles straight south.

And we accomplished our 100+ acre goal...feels pretty good...

June 16, 2009

View of the day-It isn't all brand spankin' new machines...

We had a visit from a local friend first thing in the morning...apparently he doesn't know the 8am rule. We went for breakfast to Miss Dotties, then went out to start the task of unloading everything...in some hot and humid temps...with no wind to speak of...not very pleasant.

We unhooked the combine trailer then drove 15 miles up to Burlington to use the ramp to unload the shop trailer out of the back of the General. Once we got back to the lot, we unloaded the cart then serviced everything and while Al got the combine fueled up, Marilyn hooked up the header and went out to the field to wait for Al and the combine. We got the header attached and Al proceeded to cut a sample...it was looking pretty good and since there were combines making dust everywhere you looked, we were quite sure that it was plenty dry. Having the temps in the mid 90's didn't hurt either...we are a couple of beets today.

Marilyn started combining and had an alarm go off...it was for a "non-critical" error. After searching throught the 1.5 inch manual to find out what it meant, we discovered it was something to do with the engine...fairly vague. We changed out the fuel filters thinking that would make it stop, but fat chance that would work...funny how a small extremely hot engine compartment can take the fun out of things. It wouldn't have been so bad if there was an alarm silencer like there is for the tailings/rotor/header stuff...no, this thing just kept beeping, and not with any regularity...sometimes long, sometimes short and plenty...just plain irritating.

We called ProHarvest and Ray told us he would try to make it out to hook up his computer to find out what the code meant. What is a normal farmer supposed to do? Like Al says, "It wasn't like that in the old days"...an alarm meant business, not "maybe you want to have a look". Marilyn found some paper towel and duct tape and silenced...sort of...the infernal beeping and continued on.

We finished the first small patch and moved over to start on the second field. So much for the joy of the new scale at the elevator...we are combining one mile from the elevator and it took over an hour to get weighed and unloaded...never mind the waiting in line.

Ray showed up with his computer only to find out that since we had moved to the next field, the alarm had quit going off...he claimed his program would be able to tell what had gone wrong...except that it wouldn't recognize the combine. He will come back tomorrow with something new and improved and get to the bottom of things.

And now it's time to drive for the internet...

June 15, 2009

View of the day-We finally have everything parked on the street in Cherokee, Oklahoma...what a day!

We started out early from Great Bend after having a quick breakfast and fueling up the trucks. The forecast was for strong storms in the afternoon, but we thought we would beat them, or miss them altogether.

There were still harvesters moving south along the highway, but there wasn't anything cut at all and only one field we saw had been sampled, which seemed strange for this time of year. We made Cherokee just at noon and after having lunch with our farmer, we headed back to Timken, KS to get the Freight/Tractor/Cart and header that we had left there a week before...exactly a week. It seems strange that we have driven down twice, back once, and spent two days packing all in just over a week...6000km.

After getting the cart trailer hooked back up to the truck and hooking the header to the pickup, we started back to Cherokee. It was getting dark in the SW and the weather forecast was getting worse...tornado warnings, high winds, heavy rain and hail. We just hoped we could miss it...and it was looking pretty good until we got a good dumping of rain 40 miles south of Great Bend. We couldn't see the clouds behind us, but judging from the vehicles that were parked on the side of the road watching and taking pictures, we knew it had to be bad. There were reports on the radio of tornados that had touched down in a few places...all behind us by this time...and the strong winds that were blowing, there was even a report that a storm spotter had his windshield shattered because of the hail.
We entertained thoughts of stopping somewhere until the storm had lessened, but opted to keep going. As we got closer to Cherokee, we could see a few fields that had been tested since we last were by them and there were even a couple of combines making dust. By the time we got parked in Cherokee and made our way bakc to the camper, we had to weave in and out of the lineups of trucks at the elevator. Al claims the reason for the lineup is because they are only dumping in one place...the amazing thing is that they have put in a second scale so they can weigh the empty trucks separately to speed things up...and they are still lined up.

It feels good to finally be here and hopefully we will get to do some cutting tomorrow. No dish, no internet, no Blogger...

How are we to know what is going on in the outside world,,,

June 14, 2009

View of the day-Pit stop for a stretch at Springview, Nebraska...a small part of another long day.

We were up early again and it was AIS by 8:30 as we left Gettysburg. It was uneventful as we fought the SE wind most of the way...mileage was way down, but what can you expect? At least it isn't $4/gal like last year...oh, yay, the brainwashing has worked and $2.50/gal seems like a treat.

We stopped about five times along the way, wondering when we would run into some bad weather. The sky looked very strange most of the day, even when the sun was shining, it seemed the trouble making clouds were trying to work their way into our path. We cleared SD, NE, got into Kansas and decided to try and make Great Bend before calling it a day. As we turned to make the last 30 miles it started to sprinkle and did so all the way into town.

Al got the General parked on the south side of the city and we headed over to the campground to get set up. We called the landlord and he told us we should get parked pronto because there was nasty weather on the way...high winds, tornado warnings...great...we park in the mobile home park...

Once we got unhooked, we went to Arby's for a change in menu...lots of construction going on in town so its a good thing we know the back roads. Arby's is on the same parking lot as the Walmart 24hr Supercenter...Al made Marilyn sit with her back to the window. No worries there. Unless there is a chance to go on an "every aisle" 3-hour browse...for the exercise of course...she won't be going in.

Back at the camper, we weren't lucky enough to have a wireless friendly neighbor, so it's off to the Internet cafe to send the blog into cyberspace.

We covered 550 miles and have 130 miles to go to our destination...very manageable...of course, we have to do it three times...down, back and down again. We didn't see another harvester on the way down this time...everyone must be in place.

Life in the fast lane...

June 13, 2009

View of the day-Our layover spot in Gettysburg, South Dakota. The four tenters that were setting up next to us better hope we don't get rain.

We had an early morning, by our standards at least. After having coffee with the landlords, Marilyn's sister, Marg and her husband Kim, we went to the Skyline to have breakfast while we waited for the truck air to up.

It was another short stop at the border, we had everything in order and filled out in duplicate, so after checking the serial numbers on everything, we were on our way. We stopped in Kenmare to get a new tire for the camper and to fuel up.

Al was having trouble with a pin that kept creeping out of the bracket that holds the hydraulic lift on the combine trailer. After stopping to pound it back a couple or three times we were able to make it to Wilton to pick up a couple of hose clamps to keep it in place. Other than that it was a rather uneventful day in the breakdown department.

We got to Gettysburg around 7:30pm and while Al got the General fueled up, Marilyn took the camper to the town park and finally got the holding tank filled with water so she could purge the winter antifreeze from the lines...something that usually gets done at home right after the camper is pulled from it's parking spot. After getting it parked, she went to pick up Al and it was over to the Gas N Goodies for supper.

Tomorrow will be a marathon day as we try to get through Nebraska and a good chunk of Kansas...maybe in the rain...

Marilyn just realized on the last trip down, she did not set one foot in a Walmart...

June 12, 2009

View of the day-It's official, we're gone. Al is getting ready to leave, while Marilyn gets a few last minute items looked after.

After a late night and early morning, we finally got the rest of the packing done...sort of. As usual, once it gets close to the "AIS" (a$$ in seat) time, we toss stuff into tubs, find a spot on the floor in the camper and leave it until we get to Carlyle for the night.


Al left first while Marilyn had a few last minute errands to look after...getting the new brake controller working was one of them. We took the new one for a test and discovered it didn't do a thing...not good for a camper of that size, so Marilyn took it back to where it had been installed and was informed that it was a problem in the trailer wiring. No biggie...the engine brake would do until we could find time to chase down the problem.

Al was already in Carlyle when Marilyn called on the radio to let him know that there was a bit of a problem with one of the tires on the camper...it was smoking and it had pretty much shredded to pieces. Quite a lovely flower... Orders were to try and limp it to the casino and wait.

Al had been having lunch, so once he was done, he came up with a few tools and in no time at all had the tire changed. Back in Carlyle it had rained a bit so we decided to leave the combine at the motel and just take the camper out to the yard. Once we had gotten there and got parked, Marilyn finished putting things away while Al watched the final hockey game of the season...his Penn's won.

Tomorrow we cross the border...we hope...

June 11, 2009

View of the day-Everything is scattered in the front yard in a rush to get loaded and leave.

And that is why there is no update...

June 9, 2009

View of the day-Pit stop along the Niobrara River in northern Nebraska.

We woke up to another day of rain and after grabbing a breakfast snack at McDonald's, started on the rest of the road home.

We had driven about 60 miles and were passing through Taylor, NE when we spied a large harvest crew parked on the side of the road. We slowed up to inspect and were surprised to see another Canadian harvester that we knew so we stopped for a visit to see how their border crossing had gone. They were having a bit of trouble with one of their big trucks so after chatting for a little bit, we left them to their business and continued on.

The traffic was a bit slower on the return trip and the wind was pushing us which helped us to make good time. We stopped in Bassett to fuel up and met up with another Canadian harvester, so we had another gab before parting ways.

The rest of the drive through South Dakota and North Dakota was rather uneventful...rain pretty much all the way. We figured we should make the border just about closing time, although we weren't sure what that was so we tried to call to find out...no one ever answered on the Canadian side. We knew we would be cutting it thin so Al dropped the hammer and was making good time until the sheriff pulled out in front of us. Wouldn't you know he stayed there until just past Kenmare which made our margin even thinner.

We hit the 8 mile corner with about 10 minutes to spare and after weighing the options...do we just go the extra miles to Portal or do we try to make Northgate. We chose the latter and after speeding to get there...we get to see them locking the gates 4 minutes early, so over to Portal we go adding on another 48 miles. Fortunately it was a two minute stop at the entry post there and we were on our way back home.

We stopped in Whitewood at the 24hr truck stop to actually have a meal without a steering wheel in the picture and then made the dash for home. When we left we took a swing through the parking lot to check out the other Canadian harvester that had parked in the lot for the night before making their journey to Oklahoma...they were long asleep, so we didn't knock.

It was a 940 mile/1512K day and we were home by 1:30am. In hindsight if we wouldn't have taken the time for the short visits, we would have gotten to the border in time and saved the extra drive.

And, if the bear hadn't stopped for a s***, he would have caught the rabbit...

June 8, 2009

View of the day-The Kansas wheat is still a ways off, but looks good. This was across the road from where we parked the rigs south east of Timken, KS.

We left the motel at Ainsworth first thing in the morning...well, first thing for us...and went back to Bassett to get the truck ready to go. It was a great day for driving, the sun fought the clouds off by the middle of the afternoon and the wind was behind us making for good mileage.

We stopped for lunch in Elm Creek, NE then continued on fighting traffic a lot of the way...a strange event considering there aren't a lot of towns along the road we travel. Of course, we didn't take into account the various fairs and festivals that were being held at this time of year...we're usually long gone by now.

We got to the bin site at Timken, KS around 6pm and after parking the equipment and having a visit with our farmer, we pointed the Dodge north and started on our way home. It was 1100 miles this far and now we get to drive it again on the way home and then turn around and do it again.

We made Holdredge, NE in the southern part of the state and decided to spend the night so we could start tomorrow's marathon drive fresh.

And, we are supposed to hit the rain again...

June 7, 2009

View of the day-Something big must have hit this turbine near Wilton, ND to bend the blade over like that.

There was a Saskatchewan harvest crew parked at Behm's last night when we arrived and by the time we had gotten back there to start things up this morning, they had already moved out...apparently some people did set their watches ahead for the time change. While we were waiting for the truck to air up another harvest crew from Saskatchewan pulled in and we had a good visit before they went in for breakfast and we left for the south country.

We drove through rain all day today and it never did get above 48º. The only place we ran into really nasty weather was just south of Ft. Thompson in South Dakota. It was raining so hard for a while that we just about had to pull over...the wipers could hardly keep it off the windshield. The heavy downpour didn't last very long and we continued on, passing and getting passed by the other two crews from home.

The crops look really good all the way down so far...maybe it was the rain making everything look so green or maybe it is because we are moving through these places at least 3 weeks later that we usually do.

Marilyn is certainly impressed with the new pickup and can't wait to test it out pulling the camper on the next trip down. A nice change having the automatic transmission and the engine brake...but the pulling power is amazing...might just pull the shop trailer behind the camper all season.

A long day of driving...almost 500 miles...made it through two states and pulled into Bassett, Nebraska just as the sun was going down. Once we got the truck parked and the header unhooked we drove 15 miles west to Ainsley to get a room for the night...and have our first (of many) Pizza Hut feeds. Why does it taste so much better down here?

Another day of rain tomorrow, but at least we have a north wind to push us...

June 6, 2009

View of the day-Finally we get to leave...the border in sight. Nasty weather, on the brink of snow...yes, SNOW...in June of all things. Well, we finally are able to officially start the season after a long couple of months of waiting and wondering if we would ever get the chance. We had everything ready to go for the middle of May, but we(and several other harvesters) had quite a time getting final approval for our work visas...a change in filing offices has created a lot of grief...compounded by the fact that there isn't a live person to talk to when you are trying to find out what the problem is.

It was a month of deciding if we were going to be able to leave, or leave later, or not at all...several options were weighed, but thanks to Al's perseverance, we finally got word from the border that the approval had been faxed in to them and we were okay to go. Of course, because we had no idea what was going on while we were in limbo, we never moved the camper, or did a lot of final prep, just in case it was a waste of time...which means panic time to get going...it is a good thing we didn't have to make our first stop in Davidson, OK...

We were still both working, so after finding out on Friday that we had the okay to go, we threw some things together to take the first load down...the load that was sitting waiting patiently at Carlyle for us. We got to Carlyle and the first thing we had to do was hook up the trailer to the Freight again...then get the brake lights working.

While Marilyn and her sister, Marg got the lights figured out, Al and Kim worked on getting the straight header out from the barn where it had been stored...behind several other pieces of equipment. Once it was moved out, we discovered there was a serious wiring problem on the header trailer...the lights stayed on even when the truck was turned off. Once the wiring experts had a look at it, a few changes and the lights were working better that before...now we could roll.

We got a few miles south of town and hit the rain, which we would stay in the whole way to Minot. We got to the border around 5pm and had the shortest stop we ever had getting the machinery and visas done...we were through in 15 minutes...amazing after the weeks of waiting. Really a pleasant surprise...we even had "Mr. Happy" checking out our serial numbers and he was 180 degrees different from last year.

We made Minot, parked the header and truck, then booked into the Comfort Inn for the night. Tomorrow we will put a lot of miles behind us as we drop the hammer and head for Kansas to park things so we can race back home to get the camper and combine loaded to make the trip again. We said we would never move down that way again, one after the other.

Shut up and drive...