06 Sep Christy: Home and back out again

Ocheyedan, Iowa—Zoey and I made the twelve-hour trip home last Sunday from Plentywood, Montana. We brought with us my nephew, Aaden, who came out to help run grain cart and combine for a couple weeks before he, too, needed to come home for school. It’s really neat to see young people so geared towards wanting to learn about running equipment. I think if he could have it his way, he would be out all summer. Next summer, those dreams might come true.

After arriving home we spent Monday preparing for school, and meeting Zoey’s teacher. She started school, and it’s been a great start. It’s neat to see how easily Zoey can transition into home life from harvest life. Penny’s happy to be home, too, and loving not having to wear her harness and leash. She’s spending her days having her run of our acreage while we’re home.

Zoey ready for her first day of school.

Back on the run, Gary and Rhonada moved three campers over to Ray where they are working on finishing peas and moving over to lentils that are ready at this time. Peas were doing great at 55 to 60 bushels per acre, and we’re hoping to see lentils do great as well. Hopefully soon we’ll have wheat and durum ready.

Paul is still working just west of Westby. After some rain showers, it looks like crops will be ready to finish being combined.

This next week, Zoey and I will head back out to Plentywood, Montana and hopefully Paul’s crew will be ready to move their campers and machines over to Fortuna, North Dakota. We’ll help move things over and see that his group gets what will probably be some much needed home cooked meals. I plan on cooking up what I can this week to bring out when we leave.

Reagan with his parents who came to visit. (Photo by Rhonada Paplow.)

While we’ve been home, one of our crewmember’s parents came to visit our crew while they were camped in Plentywood. Reagan’s mom and dad were kind enough to even bring an entire home cooked meal for the whole crew. The way it sounds, we missed out on some excellent cooking. We have some really exceptional crew members this year, and when we get to meet their families while on the run, you can see why these guys are so great.

The fantastic spread Emily made for the crew. (Photo by Rhonada Paplow.)

I’m definitely dreading the drive back out to Montana later this week, but hopefully everything will go well and we make it safely. It will great to be reunited with Paul and the crew, and see how the last week and half has been rolling.

Christy Paplow can be reached at christy@allaboardharvest.com.

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