28 Jun Laura: Big Bin
Southeast Colorado – It is time for our annual marital exchange post, this one regarding field directions. Last year it involved GPS. This time it was good old-fashioned verbal conversation. It went something like this, or at least this is how I remember it. The account may or may not be slightly exaggerated for effect, but I think it’s closer than not to what happened.
Me: “I’m going south on that highway you said. Where do I need to turn?”
Ryan: “It’s about x* miles south. Go until you get to the big bin, and go another x miles south. Then you’ll go east to the dead end. You’ll see us. Can’t miss us.”
*I’m using x because I can’t remember the actual mileage.
Me: “Seriously, I’ve gone like 10,000 miles, and there is no big bin.”
Ryan: “It’s a BIG bin. You CAN’T miss it. It is bigger than all the other bins.”
Me: “How big is big?”
Ryan: “It’s a HUGE bin. There’s nothing like it around. You can’t miss it.”
Me: “I’ve passed lots of bins of different sizes. Some are big.”
Ryan: “It’s a large facility with a huge bin surrounded by smaller bins. You can’t miss it.”
My former science teacher self was thinking, “Isn’t there a way to better quantify this? About, big and huge are qualitative terms.” And also, “I know this is going to turn into a ‘Go past Charlie’s dad’s place by the barn that was green back in ’64. Take a left where the old cottonwood tree used to be, and in three miles you’ll be there” situation.”
OK, so I was just tired. I had driven four nonstop hours; passed through one storm; had another that appeared to be approaching; had two lovely ticking time bombs in the back seat; and virtually no cellphone service, which made for several pieced together, increasingly impatient exchanges.
In the end, that bin WAS huge. Ryan was right (no need to let him know I said that), and I didn’t miss the crew – not even close. But in my defense, I know I’m not the only one who has this or a similar conversation with someone in their operation.
This picture absolutely doesn’t do the “big bin” justice. It WAS huge!
And just because I can, here are a few other photos from my travels this past week.
Of course there should be an Uncle Eddie’s Visitor Center in Coolidge, Kansas. I love small-town entrepreneurial spirit! In case you may have forgotten, Cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Vacation” lived here (though the movie was actually filmed elsewhere). According to the sign on the door, if they are closed, they will come open for you if you call the number. There was also a café in town that boasted chicken fried steaks. It may be something to try for my next trip through.
Just a neat old building in Coolidge. I’ve loved looking at old, interesting buildings as long as I can remember.
It’s interesting to think my kids may never use a pay phone much less know what one is.
They kindly have a parking spot in front of both the Kansas and Colorado signs for crazy bloggers like me! Unfortunately, the Colorado sign had some subtle graffiti on it.
Yikes! Hopefully we won’t need this knowledge; but with the weird weather this season, one never knows. Ha!
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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