July 31, 2009

View of the day-The General in position as a dock to do some repairs on the combine as the clouds and rain threaten.

We had big plans for the day, the biggest being to change the oil cooler rad on the combine. The rad is bolted to another smaller rad and both of them swing out to reveal the engine rad. The weld that holds the side bracket of the oil cooler rad had broken away at the top and bottom...this is the third time this has happened...hopefully it's the last.

Al had unhooked the cart from the tractor and he drove it down to the local repair shop to get the A/C fixed...although we haven't needed it very much this month. We left it their then went out to have lunch at the sale barn then we stopped to chat a bit with a fellow Canadian harvester that had his rigs parked in the sale barn lot.

We got out to the field and figured the best way to change the rad out was to back the General right up against the combine and work out of the box, so we wouldn't have to lift the 2ft x 3ft radiator any more than we had to. We got everything lined up and had all the tools in the back of the General...we were ready to tackle the messy job. We drained two five gallon pails of transmission oil out of the reservoir and were just going to take the old rad out but we noticed the sky getting darker and the hills disappearing as the forecasted rain was blowing closer. We decided to put the tools away and head back for Gettysburg...good thing...the rain hit just as we turned on the highway.

We sat in the camper for a while, then finally the rain quit and the sun came out so we figured we would go out and finish the rad job. It went better than we expected, we were done in an hour, cleaned up and back in town before the sun went down.

Marilyn did the laundry one load at a time at the campground...hanging them on the line made for a quick dry with the 25 mph winds.

At this rate it will be another late night...

July 30, 2009

View of the day-Bridge from Fort Pierre to Pierre over the Missouri River.

Another lazy day, mostly because of the late night/early morning. We didn't get much done during the day, Al went for a cruise around town to see what was happening...not much.

We had been invited out to Bob's Steak House for supper by our farmer, they came and picked us up and we went out to enjoy a great steak supper overlooking the river. After supper we went to back to the camper and they came in to show us the pictures of their trip earlier this year to Vietnam.

It was a fascinating time seeing the pictures and learning about someplace on the other side of the world...so much history, especially since he was over there almost 40 years ago during the war. There will be some Googling going on to find out more about that area...very interesting.

And when we were done, we had another late night...

July 29, 2009

View of the day-An interesting use for an old school bus. We spied this at Seneca, SD.

Woke up to rain but we didn't have any combining to do, so it wasn't a big deal...we were caught up. We had planned on going into Pierre to pick up a few things and maybe shop around a bit so after getting organized we headed out for the day, driving in the rain most of the way.

We decided to go via Highmore so we could pick up the new oil cooler rad they had ordered for us under warranty, then we carried on to Pierre. We stopped at the Case dealer to talk to Ray from ProHarvest and look at some of the farm toys, then we went over to the John Deere dealer to do the same. Al dropped Marilyn off at the mall and Walmart while he went shopping at a few other places for more toys.

With the abbreviated shopping trip out of the way, we went looking for someplace different for supper and the Pizza Ranch won out. After we finished eating we decided to take the scenic route home over the dam and along the river, swinging by the rye field that is next on the list to see how it was coming along.

We got back to the camper just as the second wave of rain showers was starting to threaten and figured we were done for the day when we got a call from another fellow Canadian harvester, Gerry and Lynn Prevost. They were on their way back from Pierre heading for Hoven...about 25 miles NE of Gettysburg...and wanted us to come up for a visit.

It was around 8:30pm and Marilyn had figured on getting the blog updated early for a change when the call came in from Lynn. The nightly routine has been to get done around 2:30am or later and she had been cutting it back an hour at a time, but it was still late...or early, depending on your view.

We drove up to Hoven and got caught up with a few things at their camper, then went down to the local tavern to have a few drinks with their crew. It was an entertaining evening, Al & Marilyn on the diet coke watching the antics of the 'imbibers'...the waitress said Al was the DDD-drive da drunks. One of the Prevost crew, a very nice looking 22-year-old young lady was feeling her oats and kept the bar entertained at one point by passing around the 'silicon packs' that she usually kept stored in her 'chestle harness'...if you get the drift. Kids...

They finally kicked us out at 2am and after giving Lynn and Gerry a ride back to their camper, we came home to Gettysburg. Marilyn was almost too tired to do the blog, but the thought of getting up early was too overwhelming so at 3:30am it's getting done.

The outside temp is 48º...time to find some blankets...

July 28, 2009

View of the day-Getting the rigs serviced before getting started on a good day of combining...well, a good half day, anyway.

Well, we do have the 8am rule...when we're working at least. Lately we have been going with 8am Pacific since we haven't had much to do in the morning.

We had a morning visit from a fellow Canadian harvester who had just gotten into the area. After coffee and a catch up on how the season was progressing it was time to get some work done.

The farmer said he would call us around 4pm to let us know if it would go, so we had lunch then went back to the camper to wait for the call. We decided that we might as well go out to the combine and service it and just wait around out at the field...in case it would be good to go sooner. And it was...around 2:30pm.

Al kept hopping in the tractor and cart while Marilyn and Casey combined until 10pm to get the field done. Marilyn actually got to use the lights on the combine...it's been a while since that has happened.

We are caught up to the spring wheat/rye now and there is rain in the forecast, so tomorrow we will both get to take a trip into Pierre and see the sights along the way.

Marilyn has a few exchanges to make...

July 27, 2009

View of the day-The John Deere bit off more than it could chew. The chopper belt was loose so the straw wouldn't go anywhere and eventually they had to start pulling the mess out of the back.

We got to have our eggs for breakfast at the Cattle Crossing Cafe at the sale barn, then we went back to the camper to kill some time before going out to the field.

The original plan was that the farmer was going to do the pickup work on the field that he had swathed, but it was testing around 17% moisture so they quit. They called us to go out around 2pm and came over to work in the same field so we could finish it up and even if it was over 13% they did have a bit of air bin space to dry it down. As it was, the crop was dry enough that they didn't need to do that...plus we were leaving a couple of header widths of greener wheat around the outside of the field that they would look after later.

We finished the field and moved a few miles over to another field and did a round but it was really wet in spots and since it was already 8:30pm we called it a day. Lots of trucks hauling again and a few combines that we can see in the area are making dust, but there is still a lot of green wheat. The weather is not cooperating...16 degrees below the average temps according to the weather channel, and it is supposed to struggle to make 70º this week.

And the rain stayed south...

July 26, 2009

View of the day-The water is kind of deep in Lake Oahe along the Missouri River 20 miles west of Gettysburg.

Another 'super-do-nothing' day. Our Kansas harvester neighbor dropped in for a visit and we got caught up on his summer's doings so far. He has been coming to Gettysburg for 60 years and has seen it all...the changes in equipment, crop choices, harvesters...that's a long time.

We debated on going to Carlyle to get our pick-up head, just in case we need it but after talking to the farmer, it doesn't seem likely. We may make a mad dash up there anyway...we never know what might come up.

We decided to take a drive out to the river to see what was happening out there...spied some harvesters in the campground on the way out. We crossed over to the other side and checked out the shore line...the water is a bit deep judging by the trees that are out in it. After stopping at the convenience store...convenient, yes...expensive, you bet...we went back to the camper. There were lots of trucks hauling grain across the river but we didn't see any combines going where we drove.

We got our Ice Road Truckers fix in for the week and did pretty much nothing else for the evening. Al called home to get the lastest news and Marilyn got a call filling her in on the Shakespeare in the Park that the theatre group she belongs to had performed on Saturday.

Rain is forecast, but it could stay south...

July 25, 2009

View of the day-After wishful thinking, Al dumps the sample into the cart...too wet to go.

The wind was blowing and it was warm enough that it should have been a good drying day. We were under the impression that we had the day off, so we just laid low not doing too much.

Marilyn was determined to go shopping but wasn't in any hurry to leave, making sure the last of the laundry came off the clothesline and the camper was clean. Around 2:30pm we had a call from the farmer saying he wanted to try it around 4pm...Marilyn was not putting off the shopping for another day, so she gave Al a ride to the General so he would have a set of wheels.

Marilyn left for Pierre and Al went out to the field to service the combine...only to find out after combining a hopper full that it was too wet to continue, so he got a ride back into town. Marilyn found treasures galore in Pierre and didn't even get downtown, but got a lot of exercise parking at the far end of the parking lots and covering every aisle.

Al listened to the Roughrider game on the radio, then decided to watch the game online and by the time he was able to do that...they blew it again...one foot is dragging off the band wagon. Marilyn got home around 10:30pm and got her stash put away...a tight fit, but a place for everything.

Maybe tomorrow...

July 24, 2009

View of the day-Al's new job as a cart driver.

Marilyn had big plans for a trip to Pierre since our farmer had told us there would be no combining today. We thought we would take the combine and header out to the farm, about 15 miles north of Gettysburg, so that it would be there when we could start.

When we got there and were figuring out where to park, we found out we would indeed be combining...so much for the shopping trip...no big deal, Marilyn could handle it. The main issue was that we had gone out with the intention of coming back to town to have lunch, so there wasn't even a care package in the pickup. Marilyn went back to town to get some groceries and make a lunch while Al got to combine for a change.

When Marilyn got back to the field, she took over in the combine and Al drove the farmer's tractor and grain cart since the farmer was doing all the hauling to a quonset in the yard. We were working in the same field as the green machine, so Al was kept pretty busy. We got the field done and moved over to another one, but it still had green in it so that was it for the day...for combining at any rate.

We came back to the camper where Marilyn had put a slow cooker on for supper...it happens occasionally-the stove got used four times in Hamill. Marilyn had to get the laundry done and since the laundromat is open 24 hours, she loaded up the baskets and went out to find someplace open to get quarters...at 10:45pm it wasn't looking too good. Thankfully the bar across the street from the laundromat had a roll to get her started.

Problem #1 was out of 8 washers, 4 worked and Marilyn had 6 loads of laundry...good thing the cycles were short. Problem #2 - out of 6 dryers, 3 worked and they weren't the usual laundromat kingkongers that hold a couple of loads...which brings problem #3...$.75 for the dryers. This wouldn't be a problem except that they had to have three quarters, which gave 45 minutes of drying time...really a good bargain...unless you want to finish off a load that isn't quite dry.

At 12:40am, Marilyn decided to bring the first load of dried clothes home so she could at least get the blog done before going back at 1:30am to get the rest of the clothes. There is one washer and dryer at the campground...don't think the dryer works to well, but there is a clothesline...so at least we can keep up with one load at a time.

At least there is shopping on the horizon...

July 23, 2009

View of the day-Al's new toy, a 1/16 Kinze grain cart...nice details.

Al was up early to seek out our farmer and to check out some of the fields. Marilyn was up early too, waiting for the 'sometime this morning' visit from the phone/internet/cable TV guy.

Al finished his visit then went over to the campground office to pick up the toys he had ordered that were delivered there. Marilyn was helping with the rewiring of the camper so we could get cable TV with our internet/phone this year...Gettysburg is the worst place to try and aim a dish, and this way we would get local news and weather. We also decided to take some of the HD channels to see how they looked on the new TV...it will be hard to go back to the old way after this.

We needed to unload, but since there was no rush, we put it off for the cool of the evening. We met our farmer for lunch at the cattle sale barn...the usual restaurant we used to frequent had a fire in the fall and wouldn't be opening again, so we had to find a new place...so far, so good. After lunch we stopped in to visit the girls at our bank then went back to the camper to take it easy...after all we did combine for three days and spent tow moving...very taxing.

We went out to the trailers which were parked behind the motel on some grass and started unloading...it goes so much quicker that loading. Our other farmer had an empty lot behind his house that he told us we could use, about 4 blocks from where the trailers were. As we got stuff unloaded, we took them over to the lot with the intention of leaving the trailers where they were sitting.

Al moved the cart and Freight over and Marilyn was moving the combine over when a gentleman walked up to talk to Al. Marilyn continued on and decided to walk back to the lot after parking the combine by the other rigs...knowing full well that by taking the shortcut between the bins, Al would be going past and miss her on the way back...and he did. Fortunately the General was still sitting there waiting to get moved so she drove it over to the parking spot to meet Al. The man he was talking to was the owner of the motel, a very friendly gent who allowed us to leave the trailers where they were...a relief.

Our other farmer dropped in just as we were calling it a day to let us know they had combined some and it was testing dry, so we might be good to go in another field for him tomorrow.

There goes the Walmart trip to Pierre...

July 22, 2009

View of the day-Al pulls out of Hamill for the last time this season.

We had the better part of another day to kill until it was time to leave, so we took it pretty easy until around 1:30pm, then we started to pack up our turtle shell...no time to listen to Danny Ismond and the GX94 Radio request show online today. It's a great show to listen to and he plugs the blog when we send in our requests online. Technology...ya gotta love it.

After getting the camper connections all cleaned and coiled up, Al went over and set the shop trailer out on the street for the hookup behind the camper before coming back and snaking his way in to hook up the camper. We pull in to our camping spot and there are two old well holes on either side of the truck and the trees are close enough that there is only one way out...but then we have to back in the same way to hook up again, which we did without any yelling at all...really.

Once the camper is hooked up we switch drivers and Marilyn backs out of the spot...straddling another hole in the ground just right...then goes over to the street where Al guides her back to the shop trailer...the first shot was a hook up...then we were off for Gettysburg.

We stopped in Reliance to check the loads and stopped in at the Case dealer in Highmore to see if our warrantied oil cooler had come in...no such luck and after browsing the toys we left for the last leg of the journey.

We got to Gettysburg, parked the General by the Freightliner then went over to the campground and were pleasantly surprised to see that no one had snuck into our spot overnight. The campground only has five other campers in it and only two of them are harvesters...us being one...and it sounds like we are the only ones who have booked in so far. How things change over the years.

After unhooking the shop on the street, Al guided Marilyn into the lot...with an audience as usual and someone was smiling down on us because it was perfect. While Marilyn got the inside cleaned and set up, Al did the PR thing, chatting with another of our Kansas harvesting friends, then hooking up the shop trailer and parking it in front of the camper for the night.

Being surrounded by trees is a great thing until you try to get satellite signal...not for TV...Al needs his 'conspiracy theory' XM radio shows at night to go to sleep to. Marilyn found enough signal so he can get updated on the fake moon landing anniversary, big foot, chupacabra, and the upcoming alien invasions.

We'll let you know if anything important is covered...

July 21, 2009

View of the day-Al doing a bit of rearranging to make room on the bridge for the grain cart trailer. He went all the way along moving them over just a bit so the trailer would make it through. They have had these things up since we arrived two weeks ago and nothing has been done...it doesn't look like there is anything wrong with the bridge...make work project.

We had a bit of a sleep in, then went out to settle up with the farmer...who had conveniently left his wife with the check book while he took the grand kids fishing up at the dam. After finishing up there, we went in to Winner to pay the fuel bill and have lunch before going back to Hamill to get ready to take the first load to Gettysburg, about 130 miles north. Al did his rearranging while Marilyn found this sunflower struggling through a crack in the pavement on the bridge over the little lake at Hamill.

The trip up was uneventful...except for the roads that are really in need of repair...no holes, just a roller coaster ride that will have the wrenches off the wall in the shop trailer tomorrow when we move with that load.

We got to Gettysburg and tried to find a new place to park everything...every year it is a crap shoot...they put bins everywhere in town these days. We decided to leave it in the parking lot by the old restaurant to unload then move the trailers somewhere else until it is time to move on. We took a short drive to check on our camping spot...which always seems to be occupied when we show up...and to check the fields...yikes...still pretty green.

After stopping for a quick pop and to pick up the latest Tractor House for Al to read and the local paper for Marilyn, we started on the return trip. Marilyn was reading the paper and was filling Al in on some of the local happenings when she got to the part that has the "this day in local history" kind of things...you know 60 years ago, 50, 40, etc. Well, 20 years ago in 1989 there was a blurb about the wall caving in on the Sunset Cafe ending it's long life as a restaurant and Al yells, "I remember that day...we went in for breakfast and when we came back from the field there was yellow 'do not cross' tape all around it!". According to him, that is another sign you have been harvesting too long...when you remember items like that from 20 years ago...his first harvest on the custom run.

We stopped to fuel up and grab a snack in Highmore and met up with our Kansas harvester friends for a short chat to catch up and feed a few mosquitoes. They had 2.5 inches of rain in 20 minutes a few days ago, so the breeding conditions for those pesky insects is perfect.

We got back to Hamill and took a cruise around town to find the big pile of trees where we park our equipment had been lit and all that was left was the glowing embers. We looped around it to see if the truck and combine were all right and...couldn't find them...the only thing there was the shop trailer. After further investigation we discovered that someone had move it onto the street to avoid it going up in flames.

Tomorrow we'll get the rest of the story...

July 20, 2009

View of the day-Al gets his grain ticket at the Winner elevator.

Al was up extra early to take the Freight in to unload the wheat from yesterday. At one point the plan was to auger the grain from our tandems into the semi, but he had to haul for someone else so we were left with both trucks and the grain cart full.

The Freightliner out-haulled the General at this stop...two loads to one. After Al came back with the Freight, he unloaded the cart into it, started the General so it would air up and came back to the camper to wake Marilyn up. To get the last loads in, Marilyn got her first grain haul of the season and she got to drive the Freightliner. With no power steering, Al decided to unload the Freight because the corner into the elevator is sharp and narrow. After Marilyn got the truck on the scale and weighed Al took over to get it dumped and she got to weigh the General off and drive it home.

After dumping the trucks we went to fuel up then stopped at McDonalds for a snack before heading back to Hamill. The clouds were threatening and the chance for rain was 50% so it was no surprise that we hit some showers on the road back to the camper. We decided to do a bit of fixing and debated getting everything loaded and hooked up, but before we could do much of anything, the skies let loose.

We had walked over to the trucks so the pickup was a block away at the camper and we weren't going to race over in the rain so we holed up in the shop trailer. Once it let up Marilyn went up the combine ladder to see how much was in the rain gauge from last night and the current shower we had...no sooner had she gotten to the top then the skies gave up another dump, so into the cab she went for a ten minute deluge. When it looked like it wasn't going to let up for some time we decided to take one of the grain trucks over to get the pickup so we could get back to the camper.

Back in the camper we just watched the weather go by...we really missed a lot of the bad stuff as it swung to the SE around us. We still managed to get a couple of tenths out of today's rain. We spent the rest of the afternoon online and relaxing, then the farmer dropped by with a care package from his wife...home made buns and caramel rolls...cinnamon buns for you homers...what a great treat!

Once it appeared the rains had all but finished, we thought we would go load the cart but once we got started it was going so well that we loaded everything and got hooked up, ready to make the move. No yelling, nothing broke and the only thing irritating were the mosquitoes.

While we were loading there was another harvester moving his equipment into the old school yard that we park in. There used to be a huge old school here when we first started coming, but it is now torn down and the hole where it used to be is kind of a pit for old trees and the like. Hamill is having their centennial celebration on August 1 and the tractors and mowers have been going non-stop to get the town in tip-top shape for the festivities...the town really looks great.

The temperature swings were bizarre today...hot and humid this morning, then it cooled off after the rain when the wind changed out of the north, then by the time we were finished loading the wind had disappeared and the humidity had gone back up again...but the rain is done for a while.

We decided to watch an episode of some classic tv online, so Marilyn picked out an episode of the old Battlestar Galactica from the 80's. Apparently the one sentence description of the episode wasn't very clear and about 20 minutes into the show, we realized we had been duped...where the heck were Starbuck and Apollo? This episode must have been the second part of two and very obviously long past the time when the series had Jumped the Shark , the worst part is how mesmerized you can get by watching crap, hoping that it can't possibly be that bad for the whole show...egads, it was...right to the bitter end.

We'll read a more detailed synopsis next time...

July 19, 2009

View of the day-Al loading into the semi on the last field in Hamill.

We were up earlier than usual, which isn't saying much these days, but we didn't get going any earlier. The elevator wasn't opening in Winner until 1pm, and the farmer wasn't sure he wanted to take it there anyway. The sample he took in yesterday tested 15.7% moisture, 55lb test weight...the same truck went into Kennebec and it was 12.5% moisture and 60lb test weight...doesn't take much to figure out where he wanted to go.

We got a ride up to the field and Al got the loaded grain cart moved out to the road so that he could load it on the semi when it got back from the elevator. Marilyn moved the empty Freightliner back to the lot where the trailers were since we wouldn't be needing it...yet. Once it was parked, she went out to the combine for a quick service job before going out to do a test...it was over 15%, so they decided to try the next field and see if it was any better. It was, so we started right in to get the back half of the semi filled so he could get on his way.

Since it was only yielding around 30 bu/ac, Al wasn't really run ragged and the field came together quickly...until the cart and the combine got full...then we had a 15 minute wait for the semi to get back. Once he did, the dust flew until we finished that field and moved over to the last 30 acres. It had dried down enough for us to finish it up, but we weren't going to see the semi again...which meant Al was going to get his trip into Winner whether he liked it or not.

While Al and the farmer got the cart and pickup moved around, Mrs. farmer rode around with Marilyn until the field was finished, the moved our pickup into town for us. We had a full cart load to move, so Marilyn left a half a hopper on the combine and we drove the 4 miles back to town in second gear...at 9 mph you get to see a lot of scenery.

The forecast is for rain tonight and the radar is already showing some strong stuff headed our way.

Just what we don't need...

July 18, 2009

View of the day-We're back at it again...finally!

We were back at the books again this morning...two months to go to catch up. We had a good feeling about maybe getting to do a bit of combining but had to wait until after lunch to get things at least moved out to the field.

The farmer came by and followed us out as we moved the grain cart and combine out. Marilyn did a test then the farmer took us back to the camper and took the sample in to the elevator. He said he would call us back, let us know the moisture and if we could start.

Back at the camper we waited for his call, getting some more of the books knocked down. After about 45 minutes we thought to check the phone since he hadn't called back...no dial tone...and there had been one this morning...and we still had our internet. Marilyn went out and found the hookup box had water in it and after drying it out discovered that we had two messages waiting...both from the farmer.

It had tested 16% and the elevator starts docking at 14%, so we decided to wait for a couple of hours for it to dry down a bit. We went back out just after 4pm and took another test...it was showing 12.5% on our tester, so the farmer said we were good to go and took the sample in to get it tested again.

The haul from Hamill is 25 miles no matter what direction you go and Al is not that keen on hauling in South Dakota...DOT and that sort of thing. Especially since we have seen their motor carrier cars parked at the motel in Winner just waiting for the harvest hauling to start so they can do their 'job'. Al was quite happy to learn the farmer had hired a local semi to haul the wheat for him. All Al had to do was drive the 1/2 mile on the two track trail from the field to the road to load the semi from the cart.

Once the semi was full, he filled the General then took it back to Hamill to swap out with the Freightliner. There was just the right amount left in the field to fill the Freight, but since the semi would be hauling again tomorrow, Al left it on the cart so he could fill him tomorrow. Free ride for the Freight...

We finished that field and Marilyn moved back through town and over to the next field we have to do. It was probably a mile as the crow flies...actually it is the three small trees just over the right end of the combine in the picture...but we had to drive about 9 miles around the long way to get there. Partly to get across a bridge that is too narrow for the combine, and the rest to get around all the valleys and creeks.

After Al picked Marilyn up from the field, we went back to the camper and had a late supper. Al had planned not to listen to the Saskatchewan Roughrider football game on the radio so he could watch the replay online without knowing the outcome...when he happened to be on a Canadian channel on the satellite radio and found out they lost 43-10, he changed his mind.

Off the bandwagon again...

July 17, 2009

View of the day-Passing the feedlot on the way back to Hamill from Winner.

We woke up to a rather fresh morning...low of 47º last night, but it didn't take long for the sun to warm things up and we had a pleasant day...not a great drying day, but nice none the less.

Most of the day was spent mentally preparing ourselves for the inevitable job of getting the books up to date...it's amazing how many crappy jobs can get done when trying to avoid the bookwork. Al had most of it organized so it really shouldn't have been so painful.

We ran out of propane...both tanks...and knew the valve on one of them needed to be changed, so after calling around to various places in Winner, we were able to find what we needed. We wanted to get in before everything closed, but Marilyn was expecting a couple of packages and didn't want to miss the UPS/FedEx trucks. The important item...new TV...showed up and after a call to Dishnetwork to find out where the new smart card had been sent we figured we had gotten all we were going to for the day.

We got the new valve and installed it on the tank then went to get them filled...two for the same price of one fill at home...$38. We don't use as much propane in the summer and the 100 ft of hose laying in the sun takes care of the showers at night so it lasts a lot longer than when we have to use the furnace in the fall.

We took a chance on the Chinese buffet joint in town...got there at the right time and it was pretty good...for the only Chinese restaurant in town. We stopped at the elevator to see if anyone was going to be around tomorrow in case we did a test and found out they would be around until noon and to call if we would be in later and someone would meet us there. No one was in the fields on the way down or back and the guys we saw combining the other day were taking it off at 18% and drying it.

Some of the corn looked a little worse for wear south of town...wind and hail from the last go round...we didn't slow down for pictures, but that could be coming. The crops are really turning and if we could just get some hot weather it would be dust making time in no time at all.

Tomorrow there will be dust...even if it just for a test...

July 16, 2009

View of the day-The combine waits, all dressed up with no place to go.

What a night! It started raining around 12:30am and it looked like there would be one nasty burst, then it would be over. We got the big burst, lots of lightning and thunder and a short but heavy rain shower. About an hour later it started raining again and it just poured...and then it started again a couple hours later...when we checked the rain gauge this morning it had 1.10 inches in it.

We didn't combine today.

It was cool enough that we finally got to open up the windows in the camper and let the air through...although the heady scent of manure...old manure...wafting over kind of took away the freshness. We went over to do some work on the equipment...little things that needed to get done...anything to avoid doing books.

We finally got the new patch job on the fuel slip tank painted...no mean task with the wind that was blowing. We had a cheap drop cloth that had been purchased for some other planned job that never got accomplished...carefully folded in the package, it was little more than plastic sandwich wrap. It was almost impossible to get it opened up, even with the wind helping, but in the end most of it served it's purpose and the tank looks fabulous once again.

Al emptied the water out of the truck boxes and cleaned out the bottom of the grain cart while Marilyn installed some new 'crap carriers' in the shop trailer. These over the door shoe organizers work wonders mounted on the back doors of the shop to hold various cans of paint, WD40, battery post cleaner, bug spray... you get the drift.

Marilyn had purchased a wireless backup camera for the pickup and decided it was high time to install it. The camera is wireless to the displayer, but still had to be hooked into the backup lights for power, so that meant digging around for the right wire and hooking it up. It worked pretty good...not a real wide angle, but it would get you backed up to the trailers lickity-split...if it weren't for the signal interference. The bluetooth in the truck is on the same frequency as the camera and the picture would start rolling then cut out completely...looks like it will be going back to Walmart. Of course, now that we have experienced the backup camera...

We got back to the camper and had 'lupper'...late lunch early supper, then took the rest of the day off. After watching some old episodes of some favorite shows online...Simon and Simon...love those '80's styles, Al decided to bite the bullet and order a CFL football game online.

After paying the bucks and getting the password we started watching the game in a 5 inch square box...on a 24 inch monitor. When we went for full screen it stalled and the picture was horrendous, so we went back to the small picture which jammed up the computer and it had to be restarted...several times. To top it off, we came into the game just before half time so we weren't getting our money's worth at all. The best part is this isn't even Al's team...that is to say, his "bandwagon" team...but, it was football...well, Canadian football at any rate.

At least we didn't get the 2.5 inches they got just SW of here...

July 15, 2009

View of the day-The drive-in at Winner...they have come a long way and it wasn't that long ago that there were two of them here in Winner.

Woke up to the shining sun, a nice change from the past few days and tonight there is only a slight chance of rain, then we will be home-free for a few days.

We went into Winner to get our annual harvest permits from the county treasurer. Last year they were changing their licensing over and the lineups were out the door and into the hall...this year they were just lined up to the door...and no one was in a rush.

After finally getting the permits, Al went to get fuel and dropped Marilyn off to get a shopping fix in...one bag per store limit...they do have some pretty big bags in those stores. After a visit with our farmer at the fuel station, we picked up a few groceries and rolled back to Hamill.

On the way down we saw one combine in the field that had just finished cutting a sample, but that was it. On the way back, however, we saw combining in three different fields...perhaps they have drying capabilities. Either way, Al was almost thinking he should go take a test, but changed his mind once we got back to Hamill. He did hook the header up and get the combine fueled up, for tomorrow...we try it.

Back at the camper, Marilyn pulled out the sewing machine to get some alterations done...and to make sure that the "if it doesn't get used, it doesn't come next year" rule was covered. Al checked out a couple of episodes of Corner Gas and Ice Road Truckers before going to listen to some conspiracy theories from his XM Radio shows.

Ahhh...life in the fast lane...

July 14, 2009

View of the day-The radio is finally in the tractor, under the watchful eye of the inspector.

What a night of weather. It rained and blew most of the night...no tornadoes, but lots of rain. We got to sleep in again...not a lot on the agenda for the day, but Marilyn actually used the stove in the camper today...sausages and Belgian waffles. The only problem with cooking is the dishes you have to do after...we do miss the dishwasher...

After fueling the furnace, we went over to finish up the work on the tractor. We had to ream out the old antenna hole to fit the new one in...Al made short work of that. After getting all the wires hooked up and everything tucked back into it's place, we tested it out...lo and behold, it worked. We have purchased several radios for the tractor throughout the years and they all quit on us, probably due to the backup of water from the A/C collecting in the headliner and splashing onto the electronics. We won't have to worry about that this time...the radio and speakers are weatherproof...and the A/C doesn't work. That's next on the list when we get to Gettysburg.

After cleaning out the tractor cab, we cleaned up ourselves, loaded up the laundry and headed for Winner. The crops along the way are really starting to look like they could be harvested sometime this month if we could just get some hot dry weather...well, dry at least. We actually saw some harvesters in town...most of their stuff is still on trailers, but they are there, at least.

Once we got the laundry done we took a swing by Pamida...Winner's Walmart...Marilyn came out empty handed...this time. We went to Pizza Hut for supper before we went home...Marilyn is hooked on the Chicken Milano...and Al doesn't mind the pizza at all.

We got back to the camper and after getting Al set up with the Al Star baseball game on the internet, Marilyn got the laundry put away, then got to chat online with one of her cohorts from the theatre back home to find out how their Shakespeare in the Park was coming along. We haven't gotten a chance to see any live theatre along the run yet.

It's still early...

July 13, 2009

View of the day-We finally got out to the field...too bad it was only to see what the progress of the wheat was.

It wasn't a really early day, we knew we wouldn't have a lot to do. Al went over to get things greased up and checked over while Marilyn organized the pantry in the camper...discovering a thing or two that were hidden in the back.

We have a water dispenser/cooler in the camper that holds the 5 gallon blue plastic jugs...we never know what kind of water we are getting in the various campgrounds...and our water at home is not good for drinking so we use bottled water there as well. We have had some of these jugs for 10 or 12 years and discovered at home that one of them had a crack in it that would let just enough air in to create a slow leak of water around the rim. Al decided to throw it out before we left...but today we discovered he threw out the wrong one and since the camper was tilted towards the dispenser, the water was leaking out the back, which we couldn't see...but a step onto the wet carpet made it apparent the wet vac and the fans had to come out.

The weather for the day was overcast and there were weather warnings off and on...severe thunderstorms, tornado watches, wind and hail...it felt like something could come of it. Most of the stuff seemed to split to the north and south of us...we did get a sprinkle as we went out to the field to see how the wheat was coming along, but it was only enough to give the pickup freckles as the dust collected on the water spots.

Marilyn got Al's new radio and speakers installed in the tractor before the rain prevented getting the new antenna mounted...but we didn't want to get all our work done in one day.

Back at the camper, we had supper courtesy of the slow cooker Marilyn had discovered earlier in the day and spent the rest of the evening watching tv via the internet and waiting for the bad weather to hit...it was covering a fairly big area and we were bound to get something at some point.

The rain started at midnight with a big show of lightning, but the tornado watch was cancelled, so hopefully we can sleep a little easier.

Nothing tomorrow...except maybe laundry...

July 12, 2009

View of the day-Boat races on the Missouri River at Oacoma, SD...fast and noisy.

We woke up to rain again...just some sprinkles, but still rain and decided to finish watching the rest of the Blazing Saddles DVD that we had borrowed from Gordie. That was a classic.

We left for Oacoma just after 12pm and grabbed a quick lunch before going to meet the kin at the races. It had started out rainy in the morning, so the races were going to be accelerated so they could get them in before the forecasted storms showed up. Something was going right for them...the sun came out and they ended up with a beautiful day for the races. Not as hot as last year, but we were looking for the breezes most of the day...an umbrella wouldn't have hurt either.

We watched the first part of the races then toured around a bit, looking at the classic cars that were on display...very impressive, then found a new cooler spot to watch the finals. There is quite a wait as the boats are loaded and unloaded for each heat, but they did manage to get things completed by 5pm and the crowd had thinned enough that traffic wasn't an issue.

We went for supper then we all checked out the two antique shops in the tourist trap area...talk about STUFF! All sorts of cubby holes and corners, hallways to other buildings...one could get lost. The only one to come out with anything was Al...he procured two items...a JD 820 tractor and a JD 12A pull type combine. Yes, we are fans of the red paint, but Al claims the green lovers will buy anything and it was for resale that he made the purchase.

After a cruise around town we said our goodbyes, as the Johnstones will be heading back for Canada tomorrow and made our way back to Hamill.

More hurry up and wait...

July 11, 2007

View of the day-The Corn Palace in Mitchell, South Dakota. It is decorated with a different theme every year with grain that is grown in SD.

We were up early to the sound of rain...again...but the worst of it seemed to be to the south and since we weren't going to be combining anytime soon, it didn't hurt too bad.

Kim, Marg and Gordie came out from Chamberlain for the two minute tour of Hamill and after visiting for a while, we all left for lunch in Chamberlain. After a discussion on where to go shopping, we decided to drive the 80 miles to Mitchell...the closest Walmart and motorcycle accessories site. Marilyn rode in with Marg and the guys travelled together...neither meeting up with the other during the days shopping...who can account for taste? Write this down somewhere...Marilyn came out of the Walmart with one item under $10...it's true. Al on the other hand came out of the CaseIH dealership with one item just under 3 digits.

After meeting up for coffee after shopping, we drove up to the Corn Palace, but it was a mad house with no parking...darn tourists...so we carried on to do a bit more shopping then headed back to Chamberlain to check out the Interstate tourist traps there. It was late so we had supper then Al and Marilyn left to go back to Hamill.

Tomorrow we will take in the Unlimited Light Hydroplane races back at Chamberlain and it's supposed to be a nice day.

Won't rule out the umbrella...

July 10, 2009

View of the day-More wildlife, this time it is the local wild turkey gang with their leader...a peacock.

We got a lot of wiring work done...again. It must be the rough roads that shake and rub things loose when they are loaded on the trailers. This time it was the tractor. Al had no lights the last time he moved down the road and it didn't work too good out in the field after dark. With the bundles of wires in the harnessess and the winding way they are wrapped under the dash, it was a wonder we could find the right wires.

The cab had rubbed through a couple of the major wires and after getting them cleaned up and spliced back together we had everything but the A/C working...and we do need to buy a 'plentypack' of fuses to replace the burnt/missing ones that caused most of the problems.

It was a decent day for working outside, a nice breeze and temps only in the 80's...perfect weather for those biting flies to come out and do their peskiest worst...we've all got a job to do.

Marilyn got a call from her sister, Marg, that they were coming down for a visit and to see the boat races at Chamberlain...the same ones we had gone to see last year. She wanted Marilyn to see if she could book rooms somewhere in Chamberlain for herself, husband Kim and son Gordie. Marilyn went online...what a treat...immediately and checked on Travelocity and it showed rooms at the Holiday Inn Express, so she booked it for two nights.

After going online later to get the address, it showed there were no vacancies and being concerned that her reservation didn't go through, Marilyn called directly to the hotel to confirm it. Talk about perfect timing, they said that room must have just come up from a cancellation as she was trying to book because all the hotels there have been booked solid for quite sometime...they were amazed she managed to find anything...but she was in.

We finished working on the tractor and after a quick swish, drove the 30 odd miles up to Chamberlain to meet the Johnstones for supper. We drove around town checking out the festivities going on for the weekend then after dropping them off at the hotel, we headed back home.

There could be shopping on the horizon...

July 9, 2009

View of the day-Buffalo roaming at will near Bassett, Nebraska. They just crossed the road nice and orderly then watched the traffic go by.

What a stormy night we had...over an inch of rain but no tornadoes, thankfully.

We were up bright and early anticipating the drive back to Ansley for the last load. We had a short detour to Winner to grab a snack and pick up the modem for the internet from the phone company. We were going to be gone all day and didn't want to miss them...dial up is just to painful to endure.

We got to Ansley, fueled up, aired up, hooked up the header and started off for Hamill. It was cloudy and overcast most of the way, even misting at times which made for a comfortable drive...and no unnecessary stops this time. We were back in Hamill around 4pm with everything parked where it belonged or at least where it would sit for the next week.

Al noticed an air leak on the General and discovered the pressure valve was the problem, so we went back into Winner to get a replacement and do a bit of grocery shopping, since we wouldn't be making it to town as often as we did in Great Bend.

When we got back to the camper, Marilyn got the internet hooked up and did some cable rearranging for the TV and dish...most of it a waste of time...wrong cables, so we are back to square one with the monitor we are using for a TV. Al did a bit of surfing...a nice change from the front seat of the truck...and even though we have internet in the camper, the blog still doesn't get up until after midnight.

Tomorrow we fix...

July 8, 2009

View of the day-One of the young riders at the Hamill play day.

As you probably figured out, there wasn't any internet service at our campground last night and since the truck stayed hooked up to the camper there was no joyriding to find any access...so no entry to the blog. And we have to deal with dial up until tomorrow so it is even more painful...

We woke up to raindrops around 3am and after listening to the weather band, discovered that we were in a severe storm watch until 4am. It's bad with no weather channel or internet to see where the radar is to find out what we are in for. High winds and heavy rain were predicted, but we weren't moving anywhere...we just waited to see what would happen. It's bad to be so exhausted and wanting just to sleep but the train horns and thunder keep you from dropping off. It absolutely poured for a couple of hours, probably more than an inch fell but we never did get hit with any of the high winds.

We folded up our shell and headed back to Ansley to get the shop trailer hooked up and the Freight ready for the second leg of the trip. After a quick snack at the station, we started off for Hamill. It was uneventful until Al called on the radio to say the DOT was pulling him over...thankfully we were still in Nebraska and after a warning and lecture on the proper use of the log book he was able to continue on. It was a pleasant day for driving, but as usual by the time we got to Hamill to unload the humidity was pretty high making it a bit uncomfortable to work.

Fortunately we had decided to wait until tomorrow to go back for the other load, so we set the camper up first so it could cool down for us while we unloaded. There were people mowing the grass in the lot where we park and they asked us to park over to the side as it was their play day for the kids and their horses. We found a corner, unloaded then went back to the camper to finish setting up. They had the phone activated to the pillar and after running the camper cable, we were able to use the phone to go online with...gads...dialup. The bad part was the DSL was hooked up as well, but we had returned their modem last year and they thought we still had it so they didn't leave us one...and they were closed for the day. Marilyn is sure part of the reason it is so slow is that the laptop doesn't know what the heck dial up is. Thank goodness we still keep the $10 dialup package from home for our email...at least we can get online...sort of.

While Marilyn was on the phone with Dishnetwork and Sasktel, Al was over watching the little tykes barrel racing. After Marilyn finished in the camper she walked over to watch them as well...a nice bit of entertainment...the goat undressing was hilarious to watch. Once again we are in a weather watch...this time for tornado...hopefully it goes south. Tomorrow we will leave early to go back and get the combine and header.

But for tonight, Al watches game 8 of the '72 Canada-Russia Summit series...

July 7, 2009

View of the day-The overnight campground where the trains were running all night.

It was another late start to the day since we knew we wouldn't be leaving the bins until 3pm. We got things organized at the camper then went for lunch to Pizza Hut. After paying the fuel bill...not as bad as anticipated...we got the camper hooked up and left Great Bend for the bins. A great day for driving with a SE wind, clouds and mid 80's for the temp.

When we pulled into the bins, we were surprised to see a pickup truck hooked onto a flatbed trailer carrying some type of pipe trusses...and they were working a jackall to change a tire that looked pretty much like the camper tire did a month ago. Al offered them the shop to use the compressor and tools but they said they were getting paid by the hour, so they didn't mind doing it the slow way.

We got the shop trailer hooked up behind the camper, then decided to take a quick look at the ignition switch in the General. It had been giving Al fits by losing connection on the rough roads we travel and would just shut the truck down. We had this problem before and had gotten a spare ignition switch just in case of a calamity...now was that time because the blade that the battery wire hooks onto on the old one had melted the plastic housing and was pretty much falling out. We got the wires cleaned up and were hooking up the new switch when Marilyn got a bit exuberant with the wrench and twisted off the bolt stem...no amount of 'Mickey-Mousing' would get the thing to work...so we unhooked the camper and drove back into Great Bend to get a new one...make that two new ones...just in case.

We were a lot more careful putting this one together and by the time it was mounted back in the dash it was better than it had ever been...and this one didn't have any cheap plastic housing. We hooked the camper back up and left the bins for the last time this year...only two hours later than yesterday. We tried to figure out where we would stay the night...if we would make it all the way to Ansley, or stay in Elm Creek...but decided to shut up and drive until it got dark and let the chips fall where they may.

We got to Elm Creek and thought we would stay there, but the parking lot was packed with semis and fortunately Marilyn went in ahead to check out the lot because if Al had tried to find a spot, he would have been backing out a long way...it was a tight enough fit for Marilyn to get around all those rigs after scoping things out. We decided to forge onward even though Marilyn was getting as low on fuel as the sun was getting in the sky...and we still had 4o miles to go. The Lord hates a coward so the hammer was down.

Clouds were looming in the west which meant the sun was going down prematurely, but still we kept driving. Thankfully the pickup has one of those computers that tells you how many miles you have until empty...it looked like we might have 20 to spare, but this was mighty hilly country so the pickup really had to work. It was a good thing we didn't meet too many vehicles on the last 10 mile stretch because it was pretty much dark by the time we made Ansley...except for the beautiful harvest moon that was coming up. We got into the lot, got the General parked beside the Freight, unhooked the shop trailer from the camper and went to fuel up.

While Al fueled, Marilyn went into the station to see if there was someplace to park in town...didn't that give the locals something to talk about. We had stayed there a few times over the years and had always parked at the motel next to the station...which was now closed. Someone suggested the town park but the only thing we needed was not available there...power...that's all, since we had filled up the holding tank with water before we left, anticipating such an event. Our next option was to drive to Mason City, the next town...only 5 miles away and use their town park...which is exactly what we did.

We found the town, then found the park and the power pole, backed into place, dropped the back jacks, put out a couple of slides and left everything else hooked up. We had to cross the train tracks to get to the park and the camper is parked, maybe 75 feet from two tracks...two very busy tracks...and right next to an intersection which means the horn gets blown plenty and the ground shakes...nice lullaby...and no internet until tomorrow sometime...sorry.

You gotta love new experiences...

July 6, 2009

View of the day-A pit stop for repairs in Nebraska...the main battery cable had rubbed through and was touching the frame of the Freight which left Al powerless...literaly.

We had a leisurely morning, getting some things prepared for the move north. After the Chinese buffet for lunch Al took the pickup over to the Quick Lube to get a much needed oil change and interior detailing which only took 20 minutes. We got the landlord paid up for camping fees then headed out to the bins to get things aired up for the trip to Ansley, Nebraska, which would be the mid-point for our trip.

We left the bins around 3:30pm and started north...a lot of traffic going both ways, but really uneventful...most of the way. Marilyn called Al on the radio and when he didn't answer, she thought he was on his cell phone, so she continued driving, but just puddling along until he could catch up. It was at this point we had reached a pocket of decent cell service and the message alarm went off on Marilyn's phone. She noticed that there was a voice message and it ended up being a blank message, then Al called on his cell but couldn't seem to hear Marilyn. After checking the other voicemail left on the phone, she learned that the power had just quit on the Freightliner so he pulled over to see what was the matter...it turned out to be that one of the cables was shorting out on the frame because it had worn through.

Marilyn was about 6 miles ahead but found a place to turn the rig around and head back to help out. There was already a hose over the cable for protection and it just needed to be slid down to cover the wear spot and we were back on the road again. We made Ansley around 8:30pm, got the stuff parked and then started back for Great Bend. We stopped at the big truck stop at Elm Creek for a sub and a break, then continued on our way.

Tomorrow we do it all again...

July 5, 2009

View of the day-Sitting under an almost full moon at the internet spot in Great Bend, KS...a nightly ritual.

Since we didn't get to sleep until almost 2am we had a good sleep-in this morning. We went for breakfast at a 'home cooking' restaurant for a pleasant change and although we didn't make it to church, we were there with the church crowd, so it was busy. It's so neat to find the local eateries...very colorful...although some of the local cuisine had us scratching our heads. Good thing there was a great variety of other things to choose from...we tend to err on the side of caution when it comes to veggies. It was a mostly cloudy day which kept the heat down...a really beautiful day.

We went to pick up a few parts to finish off the electrical repairs then it was laundry time again. Marilyn got the loads running while Al tried to do a bit of surfing from the truck...no luck there...so Marilyn took him back to the camper while she finished at the laundromat.

When laundry time comes, it is a matter of loading up the hamper and making sure you have the detergent, softener, dryer sheets, quarters, etc. The introduction of the 'downy ball'- the gizmo that lets you put the softener in the wash load so you don't have to hang around and wait to add the stuff, was great for laundry day...not that it takes time...it takes 'timing'. Marilyn purchased 6 downy balls so that when laundry time came around she could fill 6 washers at the same time then go read the 1987 issue of Better Homes and Gardens that is usually sitting in the laundromat. The problem comes when we get back to Canada, our washer has a dispenser in it, so there is no need for the balls...they get put away and unfortunately they stay there...Marilyn forgets to bring them the next year and needs to purchase more. This year a dozen of them came along for the ride...Marilyn was quite pleased with herself...but...in most of the laundromats, she uses the double or triple front loaders, so the balls are not needed. Still they get hauled around.

Here is a plug for something even greater than the downy ball...Purex Complete 3 in 1...talk about a great invention...Billy Mays would have loved it. No more jugs of detergent and softener, no downy balls and dryer sheets...this does it all. It's like a triple thick dryer sheet with detergent and softener embedded in it, so you toss one or two into the wash, it uses the soap, then the softener is activated after the spin cycle, then you toss your whole load of laundry into the dryer and it has an antistatic strip that is activated by the heat of the dryer. Is that brilliant?! And it actually gets the clothes clean...an extra bonus. I do hope it is available in Canada, or I might be importing a pile of it.

Enough of the infomercial...

While we were at Orschelns, looking for our wiring needs, we ran into a local custom harvester that we had met at the US Custom Harvesters meeting back in March. A faithful follower of the blog, she was there with her three children who were doing some shopping of their own while we got caught up on our respective harvest runs to date. We hope the kids win big with their 4-H efforts at the upcoming county fair, so they can purchase the emerald and sapphire John Deere belt that can't be lived without. Nice belt...not sure about the color...

Marilyn had to do another Walmart run...to return the shoes she bought for Al and get stocked up on the pop that was on sale for the holiday weekend...seems as we move further north, the prices get higher...won't see the 24 pks below $5 again.

We went out for supper to Montana Mikes with our farmers and their families...we've got to have steak before we leave a stop...and it was very tasty-as real meat usually is. Back at the camper we got settled up and then planned what to do tomorrow until 'time to leave' arrives at 2pm. Strategic weight scale timing for the border...not that we're overweight, we just don't want to stop...it cuts into the amount of daylight driving we can get done. Oh, well, shut up and drive...

And now it's time to find some internet...

July 4, 2009

View of the day-Everything is loaded and ready to head for South Dakota.

We ended up getting the tail end of the storm that was threatening all day, not sure how much rain fell but their were a lot of large puddles this morning. Al was up early and went toy shopping...came home empty handed...Marilyn showed him how it was done later in the day.

We were planning to go out and get everything loaded earlier in the day, but it was pretty mild out so we put it off for the evening. Of course, this being July 4th all you could hear all day was fireworks...kind of a waste in the daylight, but what do we know. We decided to fight the crowd and purchase some fireworks for this evening...and fight the crowd we did. There certainly is no shortage of money when it comes to fireworks...we bought a small box and bag full and it was over $100...most people leaving had to take the shopping cart out to the vehicle to unload their booty.

Al decided to check his eyelids for cracks since he had gotten up early and Marilyn got to do a leisurely lap or two around Walmart then after a quick supper, we headed out to the bins to finish loading and get some lights working. Something electrical is always going wrong, this time it was the flashing amber lights on the trucks which we got working after completely gutting them.

As we drove back to Great Bend, the sun had already set so we were able to see the fireworks all across the horizon. The city decided not to have a big fireworks show but that didn't matter...the locals more than made up for it. We sat outside the camper and watched for hours...from 9pm to midnight...as some pretty impressive fireworks lit the sky and there was just enough wind to take the smoke away so there was always a clear view. It is well after midnight and they are still lighting them off.

We don't want to do any moving this holiday weekend...best to avoid the traffic with the wide loads, so we will kill another day before striking out for South Dakota on Monday.

Likely see the inside of the laundromat...

July 3, 2009

View of the day-Al checks out the Mustang that is getting raffled off by the local radio station, it was parked out at the CaseIH dealership.

We got to sleep in today, not due to rain but because we are done here. We went to pick up the shock that was ordered in and decided to try Perkins out for breakfast since it was on the way. Now, they are in the process of tearing up the main thoroughfare and the north side of the street is pretty much inaccessible, so we thought they wouldn't be that busy and service should be reasonable fast...it was only 10am after all. Fat chance...we killed pretty much an hour waiting for our grub.

The shock wasn't in yet, so we went out to the Case dealer to pick up some new filters and check out the toys. Al went to talk to the service manager about all things electrical on the tractor and Marilyn spent time talking to the guys up front. We have gone through several music radios in the tractor and Al has always said we should just get a fender mount one to put inside...the A/C drain plugs up and the water backs up and spills into the cab from the overhead vents...water and electronics...not a good mix. Marilyn found a waterproof radio with the weatherband and a few other bells and whistles and now Al has an early birthday present...

We went out to the field, loaded the header onto the trailer and moved the combine, tractor and cart up to the bins where the trailers were parked. We got a ride back for the pickup and General, which Al took into Albert to dump the last load. Back at the bins Marilyn blew off the header and combine then when Al got back we fixed the signal light on the Freight and put the oversized sign on the back of the combine trailer. Al got the shock put on the General then cleaned out the cab...all of this done in 98 degree heat with a strong east wind...which made blowing the chaff off a lot easier.

The weather threatened all day but stayed to the north of us and since we couldn't buy one of the clouds to keep us cool we went back into town to clean up. Al went to the internet cafe to do a bit of surfing while Marilyn did a bit of shopping...just a bit since the coffee shop closed at 9. We decided to do our fireworks shopping and drove up to the north end of town to the place we purchased our booty from last year...there must have been a hundred vehicles in the lot and lineups to get in! We didn't stop.

We went back to get the blog uploaded and watch as the storm started to move in closer and the locals are blowing off the fireworks.

It could be a long night...

July 2, 2009

View of the day-the fuel tank repaired thanks to Randy...and a hell of a fine job.

We woke to rain on the camper around 4am, not something we wanted to hear with only 100 or so acres left to do. We did sleep in a bit then went to get the fuel tank back on the truck...wow, what an excellent job he did, that pump doesn't move at all even on the roughest road. Of course, we had to test it out.

After getting everything loaded back on to the truck we went to find a shock absorber for the General and then made a stop at the post office to find out what the latest mailing rates were. We were going to try and fit in a shopping trip to the fireworks store, but the sun was trying to break through and it appeared it only rained a tenth out at the combine...

After the Chinese buffet for lunch, we got fuel and headed out to the field to service and start combining. We had to blend off a couple more loads, but by the time we moved over to the last 13 acres it was plenty dry. We made one more move to finish up on two smaller pieces, one flat and one with some mighty steep terraces. It was a bizarre day, weather-wise...strong east wind, kind of hot, flies biting like mad...something is brewing.

Marilyn started on the flat one at the suggestion of the farmer...it went almost 70 bu/ac, then moved over to do the terraced piece and finish in the dark. Al drove for a bit so Marilyn could take some pictures and video...and generally take a break from the grain truck. We finished around 9:30pm and after getting everything tarped, headed for town. After Al unloads the truck tomorrow we will officially be done harvesting in Kansas, unless something else comes along.

Now we get to fix and clean...

Happy Canada Day! July 1, 2009

View of the day-Al fuels from the temporary fuel truck.

We were up early to take the fuel tank down to the welder to see if he would be able to repair the break, but before that we went to Orchelin's to see how much a new fuel tank would cost. Only about $350 for a new one, so we got an estimate from Randy's Repair Shop to see what the damage would be from him...around $100...well, that settled that. Now we had to take the 5th wheel hitch out and get the tank unloaded...a task in itself but fortunately he had a forklift to take it from the back of the truck to the shop.

After grabbing a few groceries we headed out to the field to finish up, but once Marilyn got combining she notice the fuel gauge was only at half tank, so Al borrowed the farmers truck to get some fuel.

We have sympathy pains for the other harvester that is working for this farmer...he is running a new John Deere 9770 (that's not what the sympathy is for) and last night while waiting for it to cool down before shutting it off he noticed smoke in the cab and quickly ran in and shut it down. The JD mechanic told him if he hadn't shut it down when he did it would have gone up in flames...the wiring in the cab had fried and they would have to wait to get a new one installed. When he went to get another combine to use in the meanwhile...another JD 9770...he discovered oil coming out of the breather tube...not a good day for the man. We have been there on several occasions and it is frustrating...not with new combines though...mind you, they are green...not that there's anything wrong with that.

Because the JD's were out of commission, we moved over to one of the fields they had left to do, to help get the farmer finished. This field had a bit of green wheat in it so there was some "blending" going on in the cart with some dry and some green wheat. The first load was over 15% moisture...just a bit high, but the second one was just over 13%, so we found the right mix. Once it got dark, we just called it quits because the green straw was getting pretty tough.

Hope it doesn't rain tonight...