WHY

It puzzles some folks, and I can see that quizzical look come across their face, just before they say, WHY ? My initial response is usually, “Well, because we can ! “ But in reality it is much deeper than that. The conversation is about Work Camping, and why we do it as we approach our mid 70’s.

Here is a look at our route to the harvest.

One of the jobs that we work is the Sugar Beet Harvest and we’ll be leaving out to go to it, in the next few days. Here is where you can learn more about the harvest. www.sugarbeetharvest.com

Now, like any type of work, it isn’t for everyone, however, even at 70 plus years, it suits us just fine. The harvest is a 24/7 operation until completed and that means being outside in all kinds of weather conditions. If you have a love of everything out of doors, then it might suit you as well as it does us. So, why does a couple of 70 something’s do this ?

Simply put, we feel good about ourselves when we are productive. Being raised by the world’s greatest Generation, the World War II Veteran’s,  we are imbued with a pretty serious work ethic. We are just not going to sit on the front porch rocking and waiting to meet our maker. We will be out there on the road somewhere going to meet him !

So, as the sunrises and we are at the end of a 12 hour shift, nearing the end of the harvest season, we are tired, a bit sore, sometimes more than just a little dirty, how do we feel ? Happy and satisfied that we have been a part of the world’s largest harvest, while working side by side, and keeping up with 20 something’s. Oh, yeah, then there is that other thing, getting paid well for your effort. The job pay’s straight time, time and one half and double time.

It is pretty cool to be retired, knowing that we can spend five months out of the year, basking in and totally immersing ourselves in, our particular intermountain culture ! Yet even then, we spent yesterday volunteering as part of a painting crew working on a local community building that was constructed circa 1909. So, WHY ?

Hey, remember, we have the need to remain productive ! See you out there on the road somewhere !