Finished!

Last week my dad and Ramont finished combining - about a month earlier than usual (thanks to the ongoing drought over much of the U.S.). Overall things went very well, with higher than expected yields, and with little trouble on most of the equipment (the trucks, well, that's another story). The photo above shows the last rows on the last field - beans near Butterfield. If one could zoom in, you would see Opa driving, Oma serving mate, and Jonathan sitting on the floor between them with big eyes taking it all in.


The photos below are in somewhat random order (since it takes so long to get them all how I want them). Here Jonathan logs the miles on his wheels.

My mom and I (and the kids) brought most noon meals out to the field. This was always a highlight of our day, for various reasons. Jonathan was usually too distracted to eat, and usually got at least one round in the combine before going home to a nap with sweet dreams of driving large farm equipment.

Jonathan waits patiently for his ride.

The last field, with three drivers.

Dad, figuring it all out.

Anna also enjoyed all the outdoor time.

I got to take a few loads to the elevator, and luckily didn't get stuck in the cab this year and have to climb out of the window while at the elevator.

A rare terere break on the yard, while combining beans on the home place.

Lunch an a very windy day, near Delft. The van provided a good wind shelter when necessary.

What kept 'em going.

Combining at the home place.

Ramont waits for a fill.

Waiting at the elevator (in the yellow cab truck) east of Mountain Lake.

Making plans.

Jonathan going for a ride with Opa.

And Anna searches the sky for rain.