Thanks Bob. 
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Who Rode Today?
- Thread starter ReycleBill
- Start date
queenslegs
XS650 Addict
Yesterday was indeed a great day. Heard strains of Aloha Oe floating over the Furnace Falls (44.826429, -78.561217). Where'd I put that fly rod?
On another day trip to the Catskill Mountain area (I just can't get enuf) yesterday, I was heading south down Route 10 coming in to Cobleskill, when this appeared off to my left. Hard not to crash while soaking it in, and managed to park the FJR on the dangerous road edge to catch this farm scene with the Canon.
Returning about 6 pm, the sun was setting, and the sky was filled with swirling clouds above the large farm just 2 miles up the road from my house, so I took a minute to capture it before heading home.
Returning about 6 pm, the sun was setting, and the sky was filled with swirling clouds above the large farm just 2 miles up the road from my house, so I took a minute to capture it before heading home.
With countryside like that, I couldn’t get enough of it either! Nice photos!
A sad irony just occurred to me.
New York State has released reports in recent years, estimating that the "Super Farms" like the Hourigan Dairy Farm, I just pictured, have each replaced about 37 small family farms of the type I pictured, just above it.
The dilapidated family farms can be seen everywhere, in the countryside.
New York State has released reports in recent years, estimating that the "Super Farms" like the Hourigan Dairy Farm, I just pictured, have each replaced about 37 small family farms of the type I pictured, just above it.
The dilapidated family farms can be seen everywhere, in the countryside.
It’s not just dairy farms. I have relatives in Missouri that farm. I have a cousin that went to college to study agriculture, animal husbandry, business management etc etc. he has spent decades buying one little farm after another. His farm has grown to be enourmous. He uses the largest, most modern farm machinery so he can plow huge swaths of land in a day. He raises cattle, he pays attention to the stock market and sells his crops when the market is up.
He’s not alone, farming is big business now. The successful farmers ( and dairy farmers) are business men.
He’s not alone, farming is big business now. The successful farmers ( and dairy farmers) are business men.
There's a standard plot where the small farmer or new farmer faces hardship but somehow makes good in the end. To me, it seems like it would be well worth it to just move to the city and work for somebody if you have any skills at all
There's a standard plot where the small farmer or new farmer faces hardship but somehow makes good in the end. To me, it seems like it would be well worth it to just move to the city and work for somebody if you have any skills at all
And they do, believe me. It's yet another reason that so few small family farms exist anymore. Farmers used to depend on having their kids to help around the farm, free labor was a very necessary component of survival. It used to be that some years would be a total write off if your crops failed due to weather, or just the opposite, some years everybody would have bumper crops of the same thing and the sale price would fall so drastically that they made no money. Large families working together was the key. That era has largely disappeared in a slow slide since the end of WW2. Many young men returning from war were no longer satisfied with life on the farm. That was exactly my fathers story, he left the farm a boy and returned a man who wanted more out of life. He learned to fly on the GI bill and took an electronics course and he left the farm and never looked back.
I am more inclined to value the concept of the Family Farm, and the small family business, although it might ultimately be less economically viable. The small family business supports relationship closeness, and the intergenerational handing down of that which we call "cultural identity".
ken65
XS650 Member
After little riding for 3 weeks due to a bad back . I went out today on the FJ for around an hour.
Wouldn't even attempt to kick start the xs yet. Would be back to square one.
Wouldn't even attempt to kick start the xs yet. Would be back to square one.
It would seem you are expecting heavy snow. The shovel to dig you out?
Re: Farms
I grew up on a small farm (120 acres) in Michigan in the 50's and 60's. One of 6 boys so help wasn't really an issue. Dad still couldn't make it on the farm alone, he worked a 40 hour week in a factory in addition to farming. The trend toward bigger equipment, bigger farms and more automation was evident even in the 60's.
Ken65, how do you like your FJ? I LOVE mine. Dreading the end of riding season.
I grew up on a small farm (120 acres) in Michigan in the 50's and 60's. One of 6 boys so help wasn't really an issue. Dad still couldn't make it on the farm alone, he worked a 40 hour week in a factory in addition to farming. The trend toward bigger equipment, bigger farms and more automation was evident even in the 60's.
Ken65, how do you like your FJ? I LOVE mine. Dreading the end of riding season.
I loved my FJ1200 so much that I'm thinking of buying it back from the guy I sold it to. It was a 1984.
You guys want to share a picture of yours?
You guys want to share a picture of yours?
TimeMachine
SeventyEighte
Dude, 91 fj1200 on fzr wheels took me on the best road trips of my life . Those fj's were quite special. What I really wanted to share today is that after my move from Sandy Ore to Vancouver Wa , I felt a sacrifice of easily accessed forest roads. .. Problem solved yesterday ! Beautiful curvy, hilly, forested country roads found . The Washougal river area will keep the dream alive . 15 miles to a new escspe here. Rode till sunset 
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The local sumac has been simply amazing this year, and I see it is in your area, too. At times, it seems like there is a wildfire raging at the side of the road !
ken65
XS650 Member
Hi Downeaster. Love my FJ. Big old reliable tractor that just keeps going.
Fast enough to keep you in the fun. It's a lot of bang for your buck.
Fast enough to keep you in the fun. It's a lot of bang for your buck.
There's one in every crowd...
Sold the FJR1300 Sunday, No regrets.
Sold the FJR1300 Sunday, No regrets.
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