Over the course of the last few months we have seen antelope, deer, wild turkey, hawks, pheasants, a raccoon, and lot of field mice.

We hit a pheasant with the grill of our service rig and it popped like a pillow, a feather explosion on the highway.  Sometimes the deer stay in the field where we are working.

One day I found a nest of baby mice in a sprinkler we were working on. Interesting.

This in a wheat field last spring.  Even though the temperature is about fifty degrees my work partner is wearing insulated overalls due to field moisture from the rain over the previous few days and the morning dew.

Sing-a-long

This is a unique song about what I work with.

This was the Hearstrong Fire we had one week ago today.  It came close enough to close the highway one mile from town.  We are doing the repairs on thirteen of the fifteen damaged systems, requiring us to work our days off.  Three days ago we had rain and the grass has sprung up a few inches already. The fire burned through prairie grass and corn fields alike, being spread by hot, dry weather and 60 mph winds. Before the grass came back up working in the burn area was like being at gigantic beach or playing in the biggest sand box ever.  We are repairing damage done at almost fifteen feet off the ground.

I am an Onion part 1

I have to dress in many layers for the varied weather we encounter day-to-day and hour-to-hour.

I start the day by checking the Hourly Weather Graph at weather.gov (run by NOAA). This is allows me to see weather, windchill, and wind. This also includes precipitation type, % probability, and projected accumulation amounts.  We plan our work day around the this information. We take our trailer out in the morning when a field will be frozen and walk in the afternoons in the mud if we are worried about getting stuck.

During the day I use my phone to check the weather. I don't have internet on it but I do use Google SMS.

I either wear or keep my gear in our rig every day.  Once in the field we don't leave until done, quitting time, or really bad weather (lighting, tornado, downpour).

I usually wear thermals, two shirts, a hoodie, a coat, a hat, always safety glasses, thick wool socks for my rubber boots, and gloves. In my bag is another pair of glasses, another hat, more gloves, and my lunch.

This week due to cold in the morning and mid-high 30s in afternoon I have been learning that I need to layer for my head better. What I use now too warm for over 32 degrees.

Where I live.

We live in Yuma, Colorado. The latest population census puts us at 3,500 people.

We have:
Three stop lights
Three gas stations (one with a 24-hr convenience center) (another one with E85)
Three implement dealers
One dealership
Two grocery stores
Two (grain) companies (one is our CO-OP)

Some of our streets are not paved. Many of our streets do not have side walks.  We have a movie theater that plays one a movie once a night for three days out of the week.  We have a lot of churches.  School sports are life-and-death here.

We live on the Western boundaries of tornado alley and the Ogallala aquifer.

Our school district has about 800 students total, and buses kids in from 20+ miles away on dirt roads.

After moving here we discovered that "rural-ness" is measured by distance to the closet Wal-Mart. We travel 60 miles one way for ours.

We live two hours from the original Cabela's. A Saturday trip for many people here, even for window shopping.

We are the the big town out here. There are people who come to Yuma to shop for food and supplies.

Heartland

About a month ago the weather was fair (no snow or cold).  One day I was up on a pivot taking in the view. I try to take a few moments every day when I am on a pivot or tower to do this.  This particular day I counted upwards of fifteen other sprinkler systems in a 360 degree view. This is try part of America's "heartland."

I feel sad for so many people who never get or take the opportunity to leave the concrete jungle to enjoy the outdoors.  And I get paid to do just that.

When I first moved hear from the Rocky Mountains I thought the area was barren and ugly. I have since grown to appreciate the beauty of the prairie.

Wish List From My Gear

My first gear post will be more about gear I don't have instead of a detailed review of gear I do have.  Most of my gear is weather related, some work related.

When the temperature and/or wind chill is cold I am completely covered except for my nose. If I cover my nose my safety glasses fog up and stay fogged up. Tonight after work I went to the hardware store and looked for some anti-fog safety glasses or anti-fog wipes. They had no wipes and only some dorky looking glasses. I do prefer the "shades" style.

I  love my gloves. More about them later.  I decided I should try water proofing them. I have water proofed boots before but am unaware if there are unique considerations when treating gloves. The hardware store had three types; silicone spray, mink oil, and sno-seal.  If any of you have had experience with this I would appreciate the feedback.

Eight days ago we got a foot of snow.  This week has been cold. Today's temperature was 20 with a windchill of 0, and it snowed all afternoon. We are supposed to get three more inches. Demonstrating  the need for the upgraded glasses and gloves.

New cows and rabbits

While stepping down yet another electric fence today a jack rabbit ran right behind me. From a distance when running they can look like a medium sized dog.

There was a Texas longhorn in the field today. The first I have seen out here.

Tis the season for calving.  Yesterday and today I have seen many calves so new they are still wet and with very little hair. The farmer was out in the field today ear tagging them.

Introduction

The purpose of this blog will be to share my experiences related to my work. Such topics will include insights, weather, gear, animals, technology, etc.  My job does not pay me to spend time taking pictures.

I work for a center pivot irrigation company which services all makes of sprinklers but sells only one brand.

Enjoy.