Day 8

On our last day we had to be at the airport by noon but we still managed to get two tours in this morning- really making the most of it!

First we went to Claas Combines; they are a German company and the parts are manufactured in Germany but the combines are assembled at the place we visited. Claas sells deluxe combines; they even have a mini fridge in the cab along with chilled seats. They make a lot of their combines with tracks which was interesting to me because it’s something I’ve never seen on a combine before. The tracks help prevent as much soil compaction and do well on hills and in different weather conditions. Weigh 40,000 lbs and can be pulled around the shop

We rushed over to Union Pacific where we got to listen to a presentation by the head guys in the agriculture department at UP. I actually learned a lot from this and I’m really glad we were able to go. I didn’t realize how much the railroad is still used to haul things ranging from produce to parts for all sorts of things. The railroad uses 4 times less fuel than trucks but it is best used for long distance trips and for heavy loads. They don’t haul livestock anymore because of the liability and having to go through the heat in Arizona and it was becoming not economically feasible. This was definitely an experience I’m glad I got to partake in and I definitely learned a lot.

After UP we headed out to the airport to return our mini vans and our group became smaller and smaller as people boarded to head back home. Eventually we all headed out on our flights home. I’m typing while I’m up in the air (posting will be delayed a day) and I still have a couple more hours until PDX and then an hour drive home. It has been an AMAZING week but I can’t wait to be home!!