The most gorgeous sunrises are often prelude to the most rainy days.
Yesterday was no different.
The first drops started to fall as we trekked from the parking field to the tent area, and by the time we got our computers out and hooked into the system it was pouring. But this didn’t seem to put a damper on the folks who were coming through the Discovery tour; in fact, it was almost as if the rain added an extra element of camaraderie to the tour groups.
Farmers and visitors arrived at their last stop, most of them wearing dripping ponchos or clambering for the free Monsanto umbrellas we were giving away, jovially kidding each other about the weather and laughing about the muddy streets.
Yesterday was no different.
The first drops started to fall as we trekked from the parking field to the tent area, and by the time we got our computers out and hooked into the system it was pouring. But this didn’t seem to put a damper on the folks who were coming through the Discovery tour; in fact, it was almost as if the rain added an extra element of camaraderie to the tour groups.
Farmers and visitors arrived at their last stop, most of them wearing dripping ponchos or clambering for the free Monsanto umbrellas we were giving away, jovially kidding each other about the weather and laughing about the muddy streets.
The Monsanto sign reflected in a mud puddle.
Oh, the muddy streets.
Most of the roads between the exhibits and tents here are gravel, and the organizers were kind enough to lay down mulch in much of the open areas. But a heavy rain changes everything, and by mid-morning the streets and most of the spaces that weren’t covered by some sort of roof were a soupy mix of mud and rainwater.
Most of the roads between the exhibits and tents here are gravel, and the organizers were kind enough to lay down mulch in much of the open areas. But a heavy rain changes everything, and by mid-morning the streets and most of the spaces that weren’t covered by some sort of roof were a soupy mix of mud and rainwater.
People stroll through the streets past the Monsanto tents.
I think this simply added to the fun. Monsanto employees and visitors alike took the rain in stride, rolling up their pant legs or just letting the mud and water soak them through. Anyone who wore white shoes had a new pair of brown ones by the end of the day, and I’m pretty sure that the kids at the show had more fun playing in the puddles than looking at the combines.
Sporting Dekalb caps, Justin and Teddy Vande Lune take time out from their muddy adventures to say hi to the camera.
Luckily the rain stopped at midday and by afternoon the sun forced its way through the clouds to turn the soaking site from mud bath to steam room. The roads and fields tried their best to try out, but the moisture hanging in the air coupled with the inch of rain to come last night thwarted their efforts.
When we arrived at the show this morning we weren’t greeted by rain, but the sun shone down on huge puddles and, once again, muddy roads. But even that can’t extinguish the spirit of enthusiasm and excitement around here. Once more, we rolled up our pants, trekked through the mud, and prepared for our last day.
When we arrived at the show this morning we weren’t greeted by rain, but the sun shone down on huge puddles and, once again, muddy roads. But even that can’t extinguish the spirit of enthusiasm and excitement around here. Once more, we rolled up our pants, trekked through the mud, and prepared for our last day.
Monsanto employees (in the blue shirts) brave the muddy streets in their boots.
I’m planning to walk around and check out the different booths this morning if I do nothing else today—even though I’m willing to bet all my chips the Monsanto tents are the best, I’d still like to see what else is going on around here. I might also tour the Dekalb seed plant this afternoon, which is something I’ve wanted to do since I got here.
We’ll see; right now we’re just drinking our coffee and keeping a weather eye on the sky, which, thankfully, is sunny.
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