End Of A Season

     The planting season this year wrapped up in a usual crazed-melee. Planters beginning to drop like flies. The weight of the planting deadline making It's impression on the Hardcores who were there to stay to the end. The sun emanating it's blaze of heat only to be sheathed and hidden by the clouds.
     At the beginning of the season, there were thirteen people on my crew. Now, with the last day before us, we were reduced to seven. As the beastly Ford F350 growled and began to creep towards our final block, I wondered what happened to the phrase, "no one likes a quitter." Once the coffee passed through my lips and my awareness was whipped to reality, I realised that every word in that phrase still held true.
     No one likes a quitter.
    That being said, the bitterness wares off and the grudges evaporate but that is after a couple of days and a couple of beers.
    Our final day was blessed by the help of another camp, full of seasoned and speedy veteran planters. They all put in three boxes of trees before they continued onward to finish their own camps' trees. I sent an appreciative vibe and hope for perfect weather their way.
    Despite the unwillingness I felt to plant inside, my legs plunged forth and my shovel struck the soil. The trees were planted and, all in all, the day passed relatively quick. The weather was a bit shy of desirable but fair weather is rare and a stranger in Whitecourt, AB.
    We finished all of the trees around half passed four and laughter rang out among the relieved. Quads were loaded and garbage boxes were stacked inside the truck canopies. One after the other planters climbed into the trucks. The only challenge left was conquering the freshly rained on logging road that meandered up a steep hill.
    Planters made bets on which truck would get stuck. How many trucks would be towed out of the insidious mud? What other carnage could be spewed out of the season? All eyes on the action ahead, but, no truck would be stuck in that final hour. There were a few moments where breathes were held and apprehension grew. A pin could be dropped, only to be drowned out by the thumping hearts of the hopeful...
    Okay...let's cut through the melodrama.
    We made it out alive and well after all. Remember all you prospective rookies: tree planting won't kill you, but wanking will!