I started work on Friday June 14. It's been very educational. And exhausting. And crazy. And fascinating. And difficult. And the most challenging job I've ever had.
To give you some perspective: the farm employs 400-450 pickers and 150-175 packers. It's nothing for the pickers to pick 150,000 pounds of fruit in one day. That means the packers (my people) have to inspect, process and pack 150,000 pounds of fruit, more or less in one day. Needless to say, the days are quite long, anywhere from 10-15 hours. It's basically been kicking my previously-unemployed-for-three-months butt. The work has certainly been taking it's toll on my body and I'm about ready to collapse at the end of each day. I've only been working just over one week but it feels like I've been there for months. In the pack house there are no windows or clocks (like a casino haha) so at any given moment I have no idea what time it is, how long I've been there, what's going on in the outside world, or if it's night or day. So that's a little strange.
I'm very thankful to be working however and know the good Lord is seeing me through. My wonderful, supportive husband has also been very strong for me. The other night at work I felt so terrible, like all of my mono symptoms resurfacing, achy all over with a pounding headache. I came home and he took good care of me.
I will post pictures from the farm and pack house before the season is over.
In other news...there's really not any. Jackson's still plugging away at work with DC Parks. We've not really had any adventures since I started at the farm because I work like 6 days a week. The secondary harvest ends sometime in August so we're hoping to go camping at least once before the summer's over. Other than that we have nothing really planned for the summer as far as trips go. We'll definitely be sticking to activities that are free - floating the river, hiking, going out to the coast.
This Thursday Lenny and Phil are leaving for California and will be gone 5 days. So yeah...we're looking forward to the time alone :)
Monday, June 24, 2013
Monday, June 10, 2013
Oregon Coast.
So it turns out Saturday was one of our best days in Oregon thus far. As mentioned previously, Jackson and I spent the day on the coast as an "anniversary extension." It takes about an hour and a half but the drive is just about as fun as actually being out there. The highway basically follows the river so as you're driving along you get this beautiful view of the river and the valley - green rolling hills, all of that. I tried to get some good pics driving along from the passenger's seat but they only turned out so so. We stopped in Elkton for coffee and pastries.
We passed through Reedsport, a mid-sized town where the Smith River meets the Umpqua, then we hit 101 South into Winchester Bay. The Umpqua River spills into the Pacific at Winchester Bay and it definitely had that charming, small harbor town feel. There were lots of boats docked at the marina, tiny seafood restaurants everywhere, crab pots (Deadliest Catch) stacked up in storage on the pier, weathered and windblown buildings with the paint chipping off, statues and monuments to various sea captains all over the place and, naturally, tons of seagull poo. It felt like there was a lot of history there, like all the people had some profound connection to the sea. We also found a lighthouse and paid 25 cents to look through a telescope-thingy in an attempt to see a gray whale off shore. We saw no gray whales but that was ok.
After leaving Winchester Bay we continued south and passed through North Bend and Coos Bay. In North Bend we found a coffee shop/bookstore. Jackson naturally bought a sci-fi book about outer space, quasars, and intergalactic warfare or something like that. After Coos Bay we started heading back because it was getting late and by that time we were a good 2+ hours from Roseburg. On the way back we passed through this elk preserve and stopped to see if we could spot any. There were a bunch laying down in the grass off in the distance but I didn't really get a good picture. But it was still fun. I made the mistake of saying to Jackson, "Isn't an elk basically a cow with antlers?" Haha the look on his face. Come to find out, elk are in the deer family. Who knew.
All in all it was an awesome day. We'll definitely being going back to Winchester Bay, maybe even to camp sometime this summer. There was this great little campground, Windy Cove, that was close to the water and the dunes (dune buggy rentals!). So yeah. A great day :)
We passed through Reedsport, a mid-sized town where the Smith River meets the Umpqua, then we hit 101 South into Winchester Bay. The Umpqua River spills into the Pacific at Winchester Bay and it definitely had that charming, small harbor town feel. There were lots of boats docked at the marina, tiny seafood restaurants everywhere, crab pots (Deadliest Catch) stacked up in storage on the pier, weathered and windblown buildings with the paint chipping off, statues and monuments to various sea captains all over the place and, naturally, tons of seagull poo. It felt like there was a lot of history there, like all the people had some profound connection to the sea. We also found a lighthouse and paid 25 cents to look through a telescope-thingy in an attempt to see a gray whale off shore. We saw no gray whales but that was ok.
After leaving Winchester Bay we continued south and passed through North Bend and Coos Bay. In North Bend we found a coffee shop/bookstore. Jackson naturally bought a sci-fi book about outer space, quasars, and intergalactic warfare or something like that. After Coos Bay we started heading back because it was getting late and by that time we were a good 2+ hours from Roseburg. On the way back we passed through this elk preserve and stopped to see if we could spot any. There were a bunch laying down in the grass off in the distance but I didn't really get a good picture. But it was still fun. I made the mistake of saying to Jackson, "Isn't an elk basically a cow with antlers?" Haha the look on his face. Come to find out, elk are in the deer family. Who knew.
All in all it was an awesome day. We'll definitely being going back to Winchester Bay, maybe even to camp sometime this summer. There was this great little campground, Windy Cove, that was close to the water and the dunes (dune buggy rentals!). So yeah. A great day :)
Thursday, June 6, 2013
Anniversary!
Yep yep, Wednesday June 5 Jackson and I celebrated 3 years of marriage. My brain has basically forgotten what life was like before we were married...it just feels like we always were. I love Jackson with all my little heart and cannot imagine an existence without him.
We normally do everything within our power to ditch work and spend the whole day together but it just wasn't possible this year. Jackson got off at 3:30 and then we made a late afternoon-evening of it. We splurged on a super fancy dinner at Smokin' Friday BBQ, this little walk-up/drive thru BBQ stand. The food was really good. Jackson had the brisket box, I had the brisket sandwich. We'll definitely be going back.
After dinner he insisted on getting me dessert and of course I wasn't going to argue that. We went to DQ and I got an oldie but goodie, one of my favorite ice cream treats growing up, an M&M Blizzard with extra M&M's. Wow. It hit the spot. It's been SUPER hot here lately (super hot for SW Oregon this time of year that is), like the Mazda said 90 degrees when we went for the ice cream. My sister said the OC hasn't even been that hot so that's pretty funny to me. Anyways, the Blizzard was where it was at Wednesday night. Then, Jackson surprised me by taking me to Singleton Park, this cute little picnic area that overlooks the banks of the Umpqua River. We sat at this picnic table, gazing out over the river and feeling the cool breeze on a hot summer evening. I mean wow, there's that feeling you get when summer hits you for the first time, like wow, in this moment summer has come. I had that moment feeling the sun burning 90 degrees at 7:30pm, watching kids rope swing into the river, fainting smelling someone's BBQ...sigh. We just sat there taking in the scene and feeling pretty fortunate to witness such beauty. It was a perfect way to spend an anniversary evening.
Since we didn't get to spend the whole day together we decided that this Saturday will be an anniversary extension and we'll head out to see the Oregon coast. Jackson says the drive out there is pretty amazing - lots of beautiful country. He's also scouted out a little coffee shop where we'll stop along the way for a mocha and pastry (ok fine. That's just for me too). That might not sound like a big deal but it's kinda our thing whenever we have an adventure day. So we're pretty excited for Saturday. I'll be sure to take good pics and put them up. Until then!
We normally do everything within our power to ditch work and spend the whole day together but it just wasn't possible this year. Jackson got off at 3:30 and then we made a late afternoon-evening of it. We splurged on a super fancy dinner at Smokin' Friday BBQ, this little walk-up/drive thru BBQ stand. The food was really good. Jackson had the brisket box, I had the brisket sandwich. We'll definitely be going back.
After dinner he insisted on getting me dessert and of course I wasn't going to argue that. We went to DQ and I got an oldie but goodie, one of my favorite ice cream treats growing up, an M&M Blizzard with extra M&M's. Wow. It hit the spot. It's been SUPER hot here lately (super hot for SW Oregon this time of year that is), like the Mazda said 90 degrees when we went for the ice cream. My sister said the OC hasn't even been that hot so that's pretty funny to me. Anyways, the Blizzard was where it was at Wednesday night. Then, Jackson surprised me by taking me to Singleton Park, this cute little picnic area that overlooks the banks of the Umpqua River. We sat at this picnic table, gazing out over the river and feeling the cool breeze on a hot summer evening. I mean wow, there's that feeling you get when summer hits you for the first time, like wow, in this moment summer has come. I had that moment feeling the sun burning 90 degrees at 7:30pm, watching kids rope swing into the river, fainting smelling someone's BBQ...sigh. We just sat there taking in the scene and feeling pretty fortunate to witness such beauty. It was a perfect way to spend an anniversary evening.
Since we didn't get to spend the whole day together we decided that this Saturday will be an anniversary extension and we'll head out to see the Oregon coast. Jackson says the drive out there is pretty amazing - lots of beautiful country. He's also scouted out a little coffee shop where we'll stop along the way for a mocha and pastry (ok fine. That's just for me too). That might not sound like a big deal but it's kinda our thing whenever we have an adventure day. So we're pretty excited for Saturday. I'll be sure to take good pics and put them up. Until then!
Sunday, June 2, 2013
U-Pick Strawberries are the best kind.
A few new things have happened recently.
1. Yesterday, we made the one hour drive north to Eugene for the first time. I nearly wore my Cal Bears t-shirt just to tick people (Ducks fans) off but decided on a more diplomatic approach (stripes). It was an adventure for sure. Both of us have passed through Eugene before but have spent little time around town. I obviously needed a TJ's fix BADLY which was really the reason for the whole trip in the first place haha. We also took advantage of the Target and made note while driving around of other stores and places of future interest (Go Healthy Cafe on West 11th). We had a great time exploring a new city.
2. Jackson registered the Yukon with the DMV. We both think the truck looks very strange without California plates. He also earned his first paycheck from DC Parks!
3. I had my group training day at the blueberry farm. I wouldn't really call it training as I didn't learn how to actually do anything. It was more of an orientation to the farm and a general overview as to how packing works. The real training is basically on the job. I should be starting as early as June 14 but it all depends on the weather, that's how it goes in agriculture. The valley had a warm front come in over the weekend and should stay through the coming week. More sun = more berries to pick. I did learn a few things about working as a packer: they keep the pack house cooled to 50 degrees (meaning I'll be bringing back the ole green puffy vest over the jean jacket look), some people work as many as 80 hours/week, I have to wear an official ID badge at all times, and we defiantly get to rock hairnets. That's about all I know right now haha.
4. This local farm right down the street from us was advertising U-Pick strawberries for $1/pound. I basically did a triple take because I didn't believe anyone would sell strawberries that cheap. Well, they do so I grabbed Jackson today and we went over there. Armed with one of our trusty TJ's reuseable shopping bags, we had a TON of fun totally dominating the strawberry patch. We picked 8.75 pounds of maybe the sweetest strawberries I've ever eaten. It was so much fun! I felt like me in a candy store because the bushes were simply loaded down with berries, they were everywhere you looked. There were all these little families out there with their kids too, so I tucked that idea away in the back of my mind. So maybe we started a tradition today. Jessica Lindauer, the following photos will make you mad jealous:
Tomorrow I'll be making GF DF Strawberry Shortcake with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream. Whaaaat.
1. Yesterday, we made the one hour drive north to Eugene for the first time. I nearly wore my Cal Bears t-shirt just to tick people (Ducks fans) off but decided on a more diplomatic approach (stripes). It was an adventure for sure. Both of us have passed through Eugene before but have spent little time around town. I obviously needed a TJ's fix BADLY which was really the reason for the whole trip in the first place haha. We also took advantage of the Target and made note while driving around of other stores and places of future interest (Go Healthy Cafe on West 11th). We had a great time exploring a new city.
2. Jackson registered the Yukon with the DMV. We both think the truck looks very strange without California plates. He also earned his first paycheck from DC Parks!
3. I had my group training day at the blueberry farm. I wouldn't really call it training as I didn't learn how to actually do anything. It was more of an orientation to the farm and a general overview as to how packing works. The real training is basically on the job. I should be starting as early as June 14 but it all depends on the weather, that's how it goes in agriculture. The valley had a warm front come in over the weekend and should stay through the coming week. More sun = more berries to pick. I did learn a few things about working as a packer: they keep the pack house cooled to 50 degrees (meaning I'll be bringing back the ole green puffy vest over the jean jacket look), some people work as many as 80 hours/week, I have to wear an official ID badge at all times, and we defiantly get to rock hairnets. That's about all I know right now haha.
4. This local farm right down the street from us was advertising U-Pick strawberries for $1/pound. I basically did a triple take because I didn't believe anyone would sell strawberries that cheap. Well, they do so I grabbed Jackson today and we went over there. Armed with one of our trusty TJ's reuseable shopping bags, we had a TON of fun totally dominating the strawberry patch. We picked 8.75 pounds of maybe the sweetest strawberries I've ever eaten. It was so much fun! I felt like me in a candy store because the bushes were simply loaded down with berries, they were everywhere you looked. There were all these little families out there with their kids too, so I tucked that idea away in the back of my mind. So maybe we started a tradition today. Jessica Lindauer, the following photos will make you mad jealous:
Tomorrow I'll be making GF DF Strawberry Shortcake with Coconut Milk Whipped Cream. Whaaaat.
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