So What Do You Do With A Manitoba Summer?
Manitoba is known to have some of the best summer weather on
the continent. We’re hot, but not too
hot, we get some rain, but not too much rain, we get some bugs, "big bugs," but not too
many (most of the time,) we have 10,000 fresh water lakes to enjoy, we have
world class fresh water fishing, we have summer festivals everywhere, there are
a couple of internationally recognized music events, and the list goes on and
on.
When we’re in S. Texas every winter the decision is always –
what do we want to do? There is never
enough time to do it all so, like everyone else, we have to make decisions on
what we want to do. This summer in Manitoba
has been just the same. There wasn’t
enough time to do all of things we would want.
This summer was complicated somewhat because I decided to
work on my bucket list and spent the summer driving big rigs. It has been, and still is, a ton of fun. I spent the spring months driving a water hauler for a local contractor and since July I have been driving for a local farmer. He had over
14000 acres to harvest which kept me and a few other drivers, “off our feet
busy.” At one point we had 5 combines
and 8 semis in the field. The trucks
couldn’t keep ahead of it but we had a really good time trying. For any, non-agricultural person, reading
this please just accept it as “HUGE, really, really, HUGE.” After we finished the cereal crops it was straight
into beans and now we’re finally intro the last 1500 acres which is corn. We’re had some bad weather and are on hold
for a few days. We should, weather permitting, wrap it up next week. I’ll be sorry to see it wind down. Even though there have been lots of 12, 14, and
even 16 hr. days, it’s been allot of fun.
For and old Saskatchewan farm boy this has just been a
blast. Things have changed a lot. When I left the farm in the early 1960’s we could till
about 50 acres, or a bit more, in a long day.
He had me on a machine this summer that did 50 acres an hour. Yes –
things have changed.
Bernie has had a nice summer as well. She spent some time at home, which she enjoys,
she spent a few weekends at Falcon Lake with daughter Leslie, John, and their
girls, she had a nice week in Vancouver with daughter Colleen, Tim, and their
family, and she spent tons of hours at the gym with her friends. As usual
she took great care of her “old fart” husband, which all by itself is a huge undertaking.
Bernie finding a few minutes for some sun and a good book
Adios Amigo, my good friend.
I had to say goodbye to very dear friend this summer. He was one of the best friends I have ever
had and I miss him tons. Thom and I,
along with others, spent many thousands of miles riding our motorcycles to far
off places like Mexico, New Orleans, and almost every road “worth riding” in
Western North America. Although we didn’t
see much of each other since Bernie and I left Vancouver, he was one of those friends
that was just “there” and I knew it. I can
only hope he knew it as well.
From the left, yours truly, Thom Sprague (and his Blackbird), Ron, and Glenn
leaving for Mexico in 2002
To remember, reminisce, and mourn the loss of our friend many
of our motorcycle friends got together for the Thom Sprague, Memorial Ride. Sons Brady, Rob and I rode from Manitoba to
Washington State to meet up with the rest of the guys. It was about 4500 kms but well worth the
effort. Ron rode Thom’s bike for the
trip which was really good for all of us.
I spent thousands of miles listening to Thom’s “Blackbird” (motorcycle)
growling though the miles and loved HEARING it again. I always told him his sounded like it was
angry all the time. It sounded even angrier
on this trip. Maybe it was missing Thom
as well.
Rob, Brady, and I in Glacier National Park
This is the whole gang of us in
the Canadian Rockies, gathered around Thom’s bike, missing our friend. RIP
THOM, WE WON’T FORGET.
It’s getting cold here and our thoughts are turning to South
Texas and our friends there. Last night
we had mid 20’s F. (-6 C) and we’ve had two days of snow and wind. Looks like we’ll likely head South around the
first of Nov. unless the weather gets really bad and we decide to bail out
sooner.
This year, since we’re leaving later, we plan to head
straight South until the weather warms up a bit and then see what happens. We want to make a stop near Kansas City to
see a 5th wheel I’ve had my eye on for a while. We plan to stop in Oklahoma City for a few
days to visit friends and after that follow the road wherever it may go until we end up at Tropic Star in Pharr, Texas.
More soon, thanks for stopping by.
Neal and Bernie
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