Combining history one swath at a time

More combines than the camera could capture

A week ago today… The sun rose through sleepy mists of drizzling rain and heavy fog (finally some rain!). The combine had been parked at the wheat field the night before, an hour and a half drive, well, at top road speed for a combine. A quick check of the email to see if there was a cancellation (there was none) as the radar showed rain all around.

Coffee mugs loaded, water and some snacks and we were off! Hubs had to be there early for a safety brief. Me, I remember many a safety brief and I was definitely headed off to the local coffeehouse. 

We ran into our friends that had brought their combine up as well. Us ladies left the men to their safety briefing. We wore our t-shirts that were made to commemorate the event and our special pink stickers that got us into the combine area.

Over 300 combines from around the area here in Canuckland had rumbled and rolled in last night or early this morning. All had flags waving from the safety railing by the operator’s door. We heard that the flags represented the areas were the Children’s Camps International had locations.

What exactly were over 300 combines doing on a wheat field?

Well, it was a Harvest for Kids fundraiser for the Children’s Camps International and the goal was to raise enough money to send one million children to camp. CCI’s camps are an evangelical, non-denominational ministry with outreach around the world since 2003. The Harvest for Kids project was started to help raise more awareness for CCI and as a way to involve the agriculture community. 

For more info check out their website at http://ccicamps.com/about/ and for their press release with excellent aerial photos go here http://ccicamps.com/media/.

Turns out the rain had missed the field where the big event and attempt at a Guinness World Record was held. After our coffee we went back and picked up the guys and headed out to our combines. Our friends were located at the far end of the west side of the field and we were more in the middle. 

The day quickly cleared of clouds and the sun blazed hot. Swaths of golden wheat laid in perfectly straight rows before each combine. Thousands of community members gathered to watch the harvest challenge.

Excitement and anticipation filled the air.

At the appointed hour, each combine rumbled to life, then the pick up headers were engaged and operators attentively watched the flagmen on their atv’s. At the signal we crawled forward at a whopping speed of 1.5 miles per hour. 

I had my and hubs’ camera phones going. Haha. I used hubs’ to take videos and mine to take photos. The harvest only lasted eight minutes but it was… Amazing. So cool to see that many combines all around you. 

And as we neared the end of the swath, through the rising fog of dust, the ghostly forms of the other line of combines appeared. Like chargers steadily advancing. Such an eerie sight. 

Cruising to the finish through the fog of harvest

Turns out 303 combines successfully completed their runs. 

The grand finish

 Then an orderly exit and unloading followed. I have to say, the event was well organized and all participants enjoyed the moment and being part of something bigger. As each combine passed by, as we waited our turn to unload, everyone was all smiles and waving. Agriculture truly is a community, one large extended family. 

The recessional begins

 It was fun to know, and be a part of, a world record. We did it because it was in support of a worthy cause and an event that really brings in the ag community (our friends, neighbors) on such a large scale was a social event highlight.

We found our original spot and parked the combine. As everyone unloaded their grain tanks the mass exodus began immediately. Plumes of dust kicked up, reaching towards the sky as combine after combine galloped to the exit (well, sedately trotted). Safety first and it was a long line out.

The long drive home

 There’s nothing quite like seeing 303 combines begin to head home. It really puts a new spin on traffic jam.

We soaked up the sun and the moment, watching so many combines head for home. A gentle breeze sifted through the dust and swirled in tiny eddies in the powdery soil. Our friends came and parked next to us. A rare time that we could all be together, including the combines.

Hubs and good friend with their combines

What a fun day and what a memory.

May your weekend be spend enjoying life’s moments, harvest time and iced coffee.

PS for videos and a few other photos check out my Insta or Facebook :)

Hubs and I before the harvest