Click on a thumbnail picture below to see the full size version. 33 Entries. Sunday, May 7 View Page This photo shows what happened to hoop house number 1 after a major thunder storm rolled through Olympia, Washington last Thursday. Of course I was out of town and after the phone call from my wife I was certain the 2017 season was over.   Monday, May 8 View Page Here is hoop house number two. Look at all that water ready to crush plants.   Monday, May 8 View Page The 1937 Urena narrowly missed destruction. Unfortunately the 1341 Barker did not fare as well. Sorry Ron.   Monday, May 8 View Page When a storm hits and you are 300 miles away there is not much one can do to salvage the patch. My wife does a great job with taking care of the patch and makes repairs when necessary but this time around the damage was too extensive, she needed help. Before I knew it I received a call from Jack LaRue and he said he was on his way to give Janice a hand. After a valiant attempt Jack was not able to negotiate all the down trees and power lines and was forced to turn around. Within 5 minutes I received another call from Cindy Toebeck who asked what I needed. To make a long story short Cindy was able to drive to my house and then spent the next two hours rescuing plants and rebuilding hoop houses. I cannot ask for better friends. Take a look at one of the repaired hoop houses. It is as good as new.   Monday, May 8 View Page Here is the hoop house. To top it off Jack came over the next day and shored up the hoop houses even more. Thank you Jack and Cindy for all the work. Thanks also to Janice for putting up with this crazy sport.   Monday, May 8 View Page So the line up this year is 3 plants: 1929 Barlow double planted with a 1944 Connolly, 1898 Sherwood double planted with a 2075 Connolly and a surviving 1937 Urena. My daughter is also growing this year but I'll let her tell her story once she starts her diary.   Monday, May 8 View Page So the line up this year is 3 plants: 1929 Barlow double planted with a 1944 Connolly, 1898 Sherwood double planted with a 2075 Connolly and a surviving 1937 Urena. My daughter is also growing this year but I'll let her tell her story once she starts her diary.   Monday, May 8 View Page Here is the second hoop house damaged by the storm   Monday, May 8 View Page So what do you do when you are 300 miles from home and your patch is in trouble? Fortunately I have great friends. Shortly after the storm Jack LaRue called and he said he was on his way to help my wife with my path. After a valiant attempt to drive to my house Jack had to turn around due to fallen trees and power lines. But, within 5 minutes Cindy Toebeck called and asked what I needed. Within minutes Cindy was on her way to rescue pumpkin plants and make some repairs to the hoop houses. Cindy spent over two hours making repairs and left the patch in great condition. What amazing friends! To top it off Jack came over the next day and shored up the hoop houses even more. Thank you Jack and Cindy. Thanks also to my wife for putting up with this crazy sport.   Monday, May 8 View Page Second damaged hoop house   Tuesday, May 9 View Page Rebuilt hoop houses.   Tuesday, May 9 View Page Photo of second damaged hoop house that did not show above.   Sunday, July 9 View Page 1372.5 La Rue pollinated on June 25th.   Sunday, July 9 View Page 1944 Connolly pollinated on June 22nd.   Sunday, July 9 View Page 1868 Sherwood pollinated on June 26th.   Sunday, July 9 View Page 1937 Urena pollinated on June 27th.   Sunday, July 9 View Page 1944 patch area. Soon the entire area will be green and the pruning and vine burying will slow down.   Monday, July 10 View Page 1372.5 on the left, 1944 on the right.   Monday, July 10 View Page 1868 on the left, 1937 on the right.   Saturday, August 12 View Page The pumpkins are growing well. From left to right, 1372.5 La Rue. 1944 Connolly, and 1868 Sherwood.   Saturday, August 12 View Page 1868 Sherwood on the left, 1937.5 Urena on the right.   Saturday, August 12 View Page 1372.5 La Rue   Saturday, August 12 View Page 1944 Connolly   Saturday, August 12 View Page 1868 Sherwood   Saturday, August 12 View Page 1937.5 Urena   Tuesday, October 17 View Page Central Market Weighoff Photo. 1944 Connolly weighed in at 1,649 pounds.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page Central Market - 1944 Connolly at 1,649 pounds.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page Blossom end of the 1944 Connolly. Weighed in at 1,649 pounds.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page Half Moon Bay Pumpkin. The 1937.5 Urena weighed in at 1,927 pounds. Good enough for third place.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page Half Moon Bay Pumpkin. The 1937.5 weighed in at 1,927 pounds.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page In route to Half Moon Bay from Tumwater, WA.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page Future 1927 Uhlmeyer, 2002 Toebeck and 2363 Holland Lifted above the crowd.   Tuesday, October 17 View Page The Half Moon Bay pumpkin being placed on the scale . . . weighed in at 1927 pounds off the 1937.5 Urena.