Recently, I took a little trip to California.  Actually, it wasn’t so little since I drove all the way there (and back!) in a 1970 VW bus.  Also, the journey was a pretty significant one because it took me back in time – and not only because of the bus.  The reason I drove was to meet up with old friends to see the Grateful Dead play again.

As many of you know, I used to be quite a Deadhead, and in my younger years, I followed the Grateful Dead around as they toured the country.  To support myself, I made and sold grilled cheese sandwiches out of my – you guessed it – VW bus.  So, when I heard the band was going to play again, I knew I had to go.

I guess I could have just taken a plane, but I couldn’t resist the idea of driving in a VW bus one more time.  I figured, this might be my last chance.  So, I looked on Craigslist and found a red beauty from 1970.  It was love at first sight, and that bus ended up doing an amazing job on the road.  And, I even used it as a kitchen to sell grill cheese sandwiches again!  Believe it or not, I made enough money to pay for the whole trip.  The only trouble I had was five (yes, five!) flat tires, but, one by one, I replaced them all.

There is something about hitting the open road that’s amazingly freeing.  For me, it's pretty hard (nearly close to impossible) to leave my worries about the farm behind, but this time, I focused primarily on the road ahead of me.  I was able to do this only because I know I have such an amazing staff – really, the best.  I have to thank them for allowing me to take this journey - it is because of all of you that I had the confidence needed to step away for a couple of weeks.

I have to say, though, by the end of the trip, I could feel the farm pulling me back like a magnet.  That trip was incredible – I can’t even describe how much fun it was.  But for me, there really is nothing I love to do more than farming, and I am glad to be back.   There is one thing, though, that I’ve kept with me from my journeys, and that’s the VW bus.  I can’t stop driving it, despite being back at work.  I think my old truck is probably feeling a little neglected right now as it hasn't moved from the driveway since my return.  I've even put farm plates on the VW bus, making it an official farm vehicle!  
I figure, what better form of transportation for a local Austin farmer?  If you see me driving around town, be sure to wave!

When I first went out to the Garfield farm after my return, I was amazed at how incredible the fields looked.  Really.  It feels like the tide is finally changing after the struggle we went through following all of that seemingly endless rain.  We suffered a fair amount of damage in terms of decreased yields; plus, all of that water washed away much of the fertility we added.   But now, it seems things are looking up.

And I have even more good news: this past Wednesday, our plans for the new barn at the Garfield farm have been approved!  We can now start construction on what has been a lengthy process.  Those of you who read this blog know that I have been trying for years to build a new barn here - it’s hard to believe we are actually going to break ground!  This will be such a huge improvement for our farm as we will finally be able to consolidate our operations in one location.  Right now, we grow the vast majority of our crops at the Garfield farm but then wash and pack them at our Hergotz location.  Having everything in the same place will increase our efficiency and bring all of our staff together.  I can’t wait!

So, while I’m grateful (yes, grateful!) to have had the chance to take to the road to see the Dead again, I’m even happier to be home.  For me, there is nothing like being back in the fields.  I guess I really am a farmer at heart.