Shaun Rides His Bike

Trans Am, Day 52: Eads, CO to Ordway, CO

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Shaun

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Thunderstorms are a thing again. Yay. I guess I didn’t leave them behind! Last night I was awakened by thunder and lightning, but this being a desert, the roads were completely dry when I started out. They didn’t stay that way, though, as it soon started raining, and rained for the first hour of my ride. And, unlike the rains in the east, this was cold rain. Just about the time I was on the brink of pulling over to dig out some warmer gear, though, it stopped. It gradually warmed as the sun poked out of the clouds, and I eventually realized I was hot again. The temperature climbed from 53°F to 93°F in a few hours!

Yesterday, I saw a harvester crew getting ready to start their day, and I decided not to bother them, but I regretted missing the opportunity. Today, I stopped at a convenience store in Haswell, NM, and while I was chatting with Paul, the owner, and bonding with his son’s awesome dog, Jäger, a man pulled up to purchase gasoline for a huge tank.

I eventually realized he was part of a custom harvester crew. In fact, he owned it, and has been doing this since 1985. His 17-year-old son works with him and wants to follow in his footsteps. They live in North Dakota, and travel for six months of the year. They live in motor homes, and there are twelve people on his crew. Eleven of them are hard-working South Africans. Check it out below!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbzNTQthqRQ

An abandoned house between Haswell and Eads, Colorado.
An abandoned house between Haswell and Eads, Colorado.
The clouds turned pink opposite the sunrise. I don't think this picture really captures how beautiful it was.
The clouds turned pink opposite the sunrise. I don’t think this picture really captures how beautiful it was.
Piles of hail alongside the road from last night's thunderstorm. I thought it was snow when I first saw it.
Piles of hail alongside the road from last night’s thunderstorm. I thought it was snow when I first saw it.
Scott Brown, of Brown Harvesting, Devil's Lake, North Dakota. He's been working as a harvester since 1985, and owns his own custom harvester.
Scott Brown, of Brown Harvesting, Devil’s Lake, North Dakota. He’s been working as a harvester since 1985, and owns his own custom harvester.
Jäger is a most extraordinary dog. When I pulled up to Haswell Propane (next picture), I heard his deep bark, and I immediately tensed. Then he came trotting out, wagging his tail. No, wagging his whole body! He is friendly, smart, and well-trained, and everyone who visits the store knows him. He usually has a toy in his mouth. This time it was a fly swatter.
Jäger is a most extraordinary dog. When I pulled up to Haswell Propane (next picture), I heard his deep bark, and I immediately tensed. Then he came trotting out, wagging his tail. No, wagging his whole body! He is friendly, smart, and well-trained, and everyone who visits the store knows him. He usually has a toy in his mouth. This time it was a fly swatter.
Haswell Propane, home of Jäger, and his grandfather, Paul.
Haswell Propane, home of Jäger, and his grandfather, Paul.
Jäger likes to sit on this table. I was having a snack and drinking a soda, and he just climbed on top and made himself at home. I was thrilled.
Jäger likes to sit on this table. I was having a snack and drinking a soda, and he just climbed on top and made himself at home. I was thrilled.
Is that a cute dog?
Is that a cute dog?
It took me a long time to realize what these are. Almost all of them have been gutted, and are missing their doors, but these are railroad lights, with the lights missing.
It took me a long time to realize what these are. Almost all of them have been gutted, and are missing their doors, but these are railroad lights, with the lights missing.
More abandoned tracks.
More abandoned tracks.
Railroad light housing.
Railroad light housing.

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