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Quilts and Tractors Go Together
You might say, What? But they do have so much in common. Image quilters at a quilt show standing in front of a hanging quilt. They discuss it's workmanship, the uniqueness, the beauty. Well, on the Great Iowa Tractor Ride you'll find men standing in front of a particular tractor discussing it's workmanship (when they painted it, did they do a good job?), the uniqueness (what year was that tractor made and how many were made), and the beauty (I judge all of my tractors by their cuteness! I personally like the small John Deeres like the L, M, 40, 420).
(From left to right, Jeff, Dave, Gary, and Steve)
People who collect tractors get just as excited about their tractors as quilters get about quilts and fabric. And, just like quilters that buy fabric because it speaks to them and they have no idea how they are going to use it, tractor collectors are the same. I can assure you that we own at least 1 tractor that has no purpose other than to sit in the barn. The tractor Jeff drives on the ride is a JD 435. Only 200 tractors were made of this model. It's unique because it has a Detroit Diesel engine. While I was in Paducah at the quilt show I met a man that worked on the assembly line for these tractors. I got his name so that if Jeff wanted to contact him he could.
(Jeff on his 435)
There are so many things that make the Great Iowa Tractor Ride the perfect family vacation. This years marks our 10th anniversary of participating in this annual event. This year more than 500 tractors are registered to drive about 175 miles in three days along the scenic roads of Iowa. This is my second year to not drive because I'm driving the stoller! Although I love spending the time with the kids, I must admit I miss the driving, too. My nice little JD40 must miss me, too! But, right now I'm happy to set up our picnic blanket and watch tractors roll in to the lunch site and overnight site.
(Heidi with Henry, Virginia (in my arm), and Goldie waiting for the tractors to arrive.)
I must share a few more pictures.
Henry loves to pretend to drive. He immediately climbs up and is doing something--hauling hay to the cows, taking corn to the elevator. His imagination is wonderful. And, he doesn't get any happier than this.
Jeff is wearing the yellow vest (Gary is on the right) because he is the leader of group three. The tractors are divided by speed into 8 groups. Each group then leaves the location at a specified time and goes single file on the route. Jeff is in charge of making sure they follow the right route. There is a driver at the end of the group making sure no one gets left behind or has trouble. So, when group 3 rolls in and Jeff is not the first tractor, my heart sinks because that means something has happened to his tractor. I won't bore you with the details, but luckily they were able to fix it enough out on the road to get it working. Then a little wire at the lunch stop got him ready for the next leg of the ride.
Jeff and Henry. Not much too say...don't the smiles say it all. But, I must tell you about the generations of drivers on this event. My favorite was two men on a tractor that looked to be grandfather and grandson. The grandson was driving (must have been at least 16 since that is required) and the grandfather in the buddy seat. I hope they thought it was as special as I did!
Enough about tractors today. I have to be at the Minnesota Quilt Show in 2 hours so I better get rolling!
(From left to right, Jeff, Dave, Gary, and Steve)
People who collect tractors get just as excited about their tractors as quilters get about quilts and fabric. And, just like quilters that buy fabric because it speaks to them and they have no idea how they are going to use it, tractor collectors are the same. I can assure you that we own at least 1 tractor that has no purpose other than to sit in the barn. The tractor Jeff drives on the ride is a JD 435. Only 200 tractors were made of this model. It's unique because it has a Detroit Diesel engine. While I was in Paducah at the quilt show I met a man that worked on the assembly line for these tractors. I got his name so that if Jeff wanted to contact him he could.
(Jeff on his 435)
There are so many things that make the Great Iowa Tractor Ride the perfect family vacation. This years marks our 10th anniversary of participating in this annual event. This year more than 500 tractors are registered to drive about 175 miles in three days along the scenic roads of Iowa. This is my second year to not drive because I'm driving the stoller! Although I love spending the time with the kids, I must admit I miss the driving, too. My nice little JD40 must miss me, too! But, right now I'm happy to set up our picnic blanket and watch tractors roll in to the lunch site and overnight site.
(Heidi with Henry, Virginia (in my arm), and Goldie waiting for the tractors to arrive.)
I must share a few more pictures.
Henry loves to pretend to drive. He immediately climbs up and is doing something--hauling hay to the cows, taking corn to the elevator. His imagination is wonderful. And, he doesn't get any happier than this.
Jeff is wearing the yellow vest (Gary is on the right) because he is the leader of group three. The tractors are divided by speed into 8 groups. Each group then leaves the location at a specified time and goes single file on the route. Jeff is in charge of making sure they follow the right route. There is a driver at the end of the group making sure no one gets left behind or has trouble. So, when group 3 rolls in and Jeff is not the first tractor, my heart sinks because that means something has happened to his tractor. I won't bore you with the details, but luckily they were able to fix it enough out on the road to get it working. Then a little wire at the lunch stop got him ready for the next leg of the ride.
Jeff and Henry. Not much too say...don't the smiles say it all. But, I must tell you about the generations of drivers on this event. My favorite was two men on a tractor that looked to be grandfather and grandson. The grandson was driving (must have been at least 16 since that is required) and the grandfather in the buddy seat. I hope they thought it was as special as I did!
Enough about tractors today. I have to be at the Minnesota Quilt Show in 2 hours so I better get rolling!
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