11 Aug Steph: So long, Nebraska!

I was given the privilege to take the last load to the Hemingford elevator for the 2013 harvest season. There was literally one fly in the cab of my truck on my trip there that drove me crazy so it is definitely a trip that is etched into my memory. We have been here a lot longer than us harvest types like to be in the same place, so we were “itching” to get back on the road again. And our next stop is home, which means we will all get our own rooms again! Sounds like a simple luxury but we sure appreciate it after a summer. Once we roaded all the equipment back to town, removed the duals from the combine and fueled up Purple and Petey, we loaded equipment up and parked our rigs in a cute little line for morning. We did an average of 30 bushels per acre for our farmer with dry land and then 102 bushel per acre average for the 2 farmers we had with irrigated wheat. Also, big shout out to the Phillips boys for your excellent service we received while in Hemingford!

It’s funny, we have been here for almost 2 weeks now and as you know, Roland Harvesting is not only harvesting in Hemingford but are from here as well. Last night, our last night in town, we were at a local restaurant in town and who do I see but none other than Miss Megan Roland! It was one of those awkward stare down type things, where I saw her and she saw me but neither of us were sure. Once we did, it was like we had been friends all along and I am glad we finally were able to meet!

Now brings us to today. We woke up bright eyed and bushy tailed, ready for day one of the journey home. It is 800 miles back and with wide loads only able to go 60mph downhill, we have found throughout the years that this time cannot be beat. Mom leads the way pulling the trailer with the pickup, Dad comes second pulling the combine and hopper bottom with Petey, I am third pulling the tractor/grain cart with Purple and Brandon brings up the rear with the service truck and header.  Travel day one: complete!

Quote of the Day: “I did my part for the environment. I ran over a snake.”

Harvest Tip: Organization is key when loading equipment and heading to the next stop. Nobody will want to FedEx that spare tire you left behind.

Random Fun Fact: A few years ago, we were out and about somewhere and somebody asked where we were from. Once we responded ‘North Dakota’, they proceeded to ask if that was the same state where Mount Rushmore is located. Every time we pass through South Dakota, this is one of the first things I think of and laugh a little to myself.

Passing the time in the field!

Give him a break, he’s a hockey player.

Mom finding some souvenirs to take back home to her garden.

Farmer Kalvin giving Mom permission to take a sucker tree or 2.

So much action at the end of the field!

Combining one of our last fields in Nebraska.

Mom loading up Farmer Kalvin’s truck.

Beautiful sunset out by our field.

Service truck up on the hill.

Some night-time action.

Purple all loaded up for the journey. Duals for the combine, spare tire, ladder extension..

Phillips out of Hemingford made stickers like these for all our trailers!

The precious parents.

Brandon and I goofing around during a driving break.

A little rest.

I know this is a weird shot, but there was a windmill and wildflowers AND cows. I couldn’t help myself. Nor could I stop to get a better photo.

All our rigs lined up to make the rest of the journey in the morning.

All Aboard Wheat Harvest is sponsored by High Plains Journal and Syngenta. You can contact Stephanie at stephanie@allaboardharvest.com.