Laura: The Big Bin Strikes Again!

Southeast Colorado: I have a love/hate relationship with GPS technology. Some of you may recall this from previous posts. I will admit, it is improving all the time and the accuracy is a little scary (the occasionally inaccuracy is equally scary). Without giving away my exact age, I’m apart of that “micro” generation some people talk about. I’m not totally a Gen X’er but not completely a Gen Y (millennial) either. Some people call us the “Xennials”. Yeah, it’s a thing, go check it out. I’m not going to debate if it’s a “real” generation or not, but it fits the folks I know of my similar age, so I’m totally riding that train.

As a Xennial, I grew up with a mainly analogue childhood, so I do love a good map. I mean really, aren’t they fun to look at and spark that sense of adventure inside of you? I usually have a good sense of direction and for my personality style (you can guess which one it is), I like to have a good visual of where I’m going to ensure I can stay in control of the situation (got to keep the kids safe, right?). Many of us know the benefits of a good map app when it works but if you aren’t familiar, here are a few: it talks to you allowing you to keep your eyes on the road, fast, efficient, and takes the stress out of travel.

If you remember the post from last year, you probably know where this is going. This year, when we headed out to SE Colorado, I tried calling Ryan for several HOURS. The service is poor out there, so we never got a hold of him which was modern age, non-life or death, frustrating. When I finally got a hold of him, he said, “Yeah, we’re out by the Big Bin again.” Well, this was less than helpful, because A. I was coming from a different direction this year, B: Places like the “Big Bin” aren’t always on the map, and C: Once you’re in the right area, if you know how to get to the said area, you can see the “Big Bin” for miles so that’s a lot of places the crew could be hiding.

In the end, I finally got the location “pinned” down (GPS pun intended) and made it to the field. Sure enough, the Big Bin could be easily seen almost like a lighthouse on the prairie.

We should probably quantify what big is. I was told that the bin has over a million-bushel capacity. That’s not messing around. I think it deserves the qualitative label “big” afterall! (Quantitative/Qualitative – once a science teacher, always a science teacher, I can’t help myself!)

As much as I joke about the “Big Bin” from a navigational beacon standpoint, it really is a wonderful facility to work with regarding their great staff and let’s not forget the in and out-bound scales! Skyland also spoiled the kids the days we visited a couple different locations between the candy basket, a hat, popcorn and cold drinks. Thanks everyone! It takes a village to get this harvest thing done!

HPH 2017 (Laura)
A silhouette of the “Big Bin” as seen several miles away from one of the fields we were cutting last year. As you can see, its a defining spot on the horizon. (Photo Credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018 (Ryan)
The “Big Bin” in stormy conditions. (Photo credit: Ryan)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
Some of the crew cutting in southeastern Colorado. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
This new hat may have replaced his beloved High Plains Harvesting model! (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
The Little Ice Cream Shop in Johnson, KS, was delicious! A must try. (Photo credit: The Nice Lady who stepped over to grab our picture)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
Loaded biscuits and gravy. Am I the only one who didn’t know this was a thing? A former student’s family runs this business and was fun running into her. We enjoyed our meals at the “Hug A Mug” in Johnson. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
Ryan thought he was pretty clever with the “whole wheat” in a bag! Sometimes you have to get creative with containers when running samples into town. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
Of course a picture at the Colorado sign. (Photo credit: Laura)

High Plains Harvesting 2018
Meanwhile, on the other side of the state line… Kansas, where is your sign? We had to make our own! (Photo credit: Laura)

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and John Deere. Laura can be reached at laura@allaboardharvest.com.

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