Tractors

Tractors. I grew up around tractors. From before I  have memories there are pictures of me and tractors. I suppose we all have those photos parents love to show from our childhood, often embarrassing photos, but not always. Such a photo shows me in my little red wagon hitched to the back of my Grandpa's Farmall CultiVision A. Apparently, I would ride for hours behind him as he cultivated. I don't remember. But some of my earliest and fondest memories are of sitting between Grandpa's legs and steering the tractor, and then later, of sitting on the fender just riding back and forth from headland to headland, just keeping him company. It was around the age of ten when I began driving tractor in the field for myself.

Tractors. The tractors I grew up with didn't have air conditioned cabs and it was mostly before the advent of herbicides. We spent a lot time on those tractors--plowing, fitting, planting, and cultivating. There was lots of back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, etc. all day long and sometimes into the night.

We ran Internationals, but this would be near the vintage of some of the tractors I drove. My uncle had Allis-Chalmers tractors. Notice the lack of protection from the elements. I took this photo when we were in Iowa last Fall on the way back from visiting Chris.

Another photo from that trip. It always surprises me at how big all the farm equipment is now. Notice the big blue tractor with its climate controlled cab.

Tractors. It has become clear to me the moments I enjoy most riding are connected to these experiences of riding on and driving tractor. My favorite rides have been on roads surrounded by crops.  My second favorite rides are puttering through neighborhoods hunting the occasional lawn art, pink flamingo, or turkey.

I discovered this red giraffe on evening as I was taking a long way home.

I think it's sweet how this homeowner has some of the flamingos positioned to look like they are nesting.

Now, this is one proud bird.

Tractors. The twisties are just another road to me. I ride them when I'm on a ride with others. Others seem to like the twisties a lot. Me? I ride the twisties because I need to to get somewhere else.

On State Rte. 94 coming back from Marthasville.

Tractors. I, also, love the being out in the elements. I enjoy the challenge of staying warm in the winter and surviving the heat in the summer. For me, dealing with the weather is a big part of the adventure of riding.

Until I made the connection between my riding and my experience of being raised with tractors I'd wondered how so many others could talk of flying like birds. My riding seemed more plodding, equestrian, and utilitarian. Now I have a clue. There was a peacefulness, an attentiveness, and a connectedness I felt once upon a time in those fields of my growing up. I was deeply longing to taste this experience again and didn't even know it. I'm grateful to have it back.