adios, oklahoma

Leaving a place that has become “home” tends to make a person think about certain things. The one thing that I’ve thought about a lot this year is the fact that I take for granted way too many things!  I found myself looking at my surroundings a little more intense this year. I sort of figured out that I don’t have a guarantee that I’ll be back next summer.  So, I soaked in the lush green countryside, the smell of the wheat chaff, the beautiful water-colored sunsets (especially after a brief thunderstorm), the intense oven-like temps of the south winds (or Oklahoma gales) and the birds. I tried to take as many pictures of the countryside and the wheat field as I dared. The hot winds and birds are a different story.

I bring up the birds because of the song the Mockingbird sitting in the tree next to our camper would sing every morning. That bird has got to be the most happy sounding bird you could ever hear. It was content to sit in the same spot and sing all morning. It just made me smile.  That bird made me think about another bird that I remember hearing as a youngster going on harvest with Grandpa and Grandma. Although, at that time, I was young enough that I found it annoying rather than enjoyable. That particular bird sat in the tree next to our camper and would make an annoying shrill chirping noise that was not fun to wake up to in the pre-dawn hours.  I still think about that time when I hear the same shrill, annoying song of that species of bird to this day.

It cooled down today. The high was only 100 – down seven degrees than yesterday. For some reason, though, it just didn’t feel that bad. Maybe the humidity level was less. We finished with the acres we came for on Wednesday. We actually cut more than we expected and on a year like this one was shaping up to be, those extra acres were a nice bonus!

The town of Shattuck has become one that I will miss. This has only been the second time we stayed within the city limits. However, the people of the community are some of the finest you’ll meet! The employees at the Johnston Grain Co. elevator are exceptional! I tell you what, on the days that it was brutal and I pulled onto the scales and saw that cooler full of pop/water, it gave me something to look forward to. The very last load I hauled, one of the guys dumping me at the pit could tell that I needed something cold to drink. As I was pulling into the dumping area, he was handing me a cold bottle of water. Now that’s service!  Thank you Johnston Grain Co. and Shattuck, OK for making this harvest family feel like one of your own! See ya next year (I hope)!

The cows are SO happy this year!

An example of just how lush the countryside is this year.

This is what it looks like when the gales of Oklahoma blow…you see NOTHING!

I tried to find a way to visually show you just how large these grasshoppers are. When they hit the vehicles while you’re driving, they sound like you’re hitting birds. 

Jim fueling the combine for the second time today.

Beautiful!

Because the entry to the field is a little rough, Jim opted to finish filling Frank in the road. This allowed him to fill it a little more heavy than he would have in the field.

If there’s room to put the header on in the road (prior to entering the field), he’ll choose that as opposed to running down the wheat in the field. 

Last load of the day. Headed towards that “skyscraper” on the horizon.

Johnston Grain Co. Shattuck, OK

Probing the grain for moisture, FM (foreign matter) and weight.

Moving to the next phase – weighing the truck to determine how many bushels is in the box.

The “Super” moon.

Oh so refreshing on a hot summer’s day! Thanks Kent and Johnston Grain!

Stopped eating only briefly to look up and see what was passing on the road next to her.

These were a major part of history on the prairie – the windmill. Shattuck has a museum dedicated to these modern miracles.

While dumping at the elevator, I watch my side mirrors for the guys at the pit. They help me by telling me when to raise the box and watching so the box doesn’t hit anything on its way up. They have a very hot, dirty job. I thank you – all of you – for the job you do!

Another windy day

The last field we cut sat right on the TX/OK border. The line actually ran right through the field. 

Reminded me of Montana.

Jim and the landowner having a big conversation the evening we pulled into the field for the first time.

This is what happened to a lot of Western Oklahoma’s wheat this year.

A storm rolled in just as we were finishing with getting the combine and header loaded before heading for Deerfield.

My pictures are fuzzy and just doesn’t justify the beauty of the colors. 

Our celebratory supper at The Cattle Exchange in Canadian, TX. One of our favorite places to eat!

Conrad and Spencer Weaver (producer of The Great American Wheat Harvest Movie) was with us to help celebrate. You can read more about our involvement in this great project here.

See ya in Deerfield!