The Ladage Tractor Drive
This was the 3rd time the Ladage Brothers got together for a tractor drive. It began three years ago with a desire to drive their tractors, so they decided on a little, local road trip. The drive has grown greatly since then!
This is a photo story of our day. Author and blogger Rick Shaw is providing an in-depth blog on his Antique Iron Media blog. He wrote a wonderful story about honoring our family!
The Day Before
Off the County Line Road close to where we live, and where Keith’s brother Wayne lives, is Ladage Road with the Ladage bridge. Tracing the route for the next day, we took a minute to stop at this cool bridge hoping all would go well the next day.
The Day of the drive
Word got around, we didn’t really know just how many would come. Wayne’s home was the staging place for the tractors. Keith and I arrived around 830 a.m., and we met two great gentleman, one who actually worked with Keith’s dad at the International Harvester Dealership he had long ago in Pawnee, Illinois.
Tractors owned by friends and family came rolling in. Some family coming from as far as Texas and Kansas City Kansas, and Champaign. We felt truly blessed.
Tractors arrived, some drove them directly, and others were unloaded from a trailer.
Many of the tractors were decked out with flags. and a magnet signifying that this year’s drive was in memory of my great nephew Sergent Austin Rhodes.
Adopted Ladage
Last year our friend Jim Price received the first adopted Ladage t-shirt. This year Tim Siefert got the honor.
Roger Ladage was the patriarch of the Ladage family, and he was on hand along with Sandy to oversee the drive and reminisce.
The youngest driver!
Tim said a prayer to keep us safe during the drive.
The Drive!
We had 23 tractors. Jim Price led the group with Roger and Sandy next, and my sister-in-law Kay Hogan and I followed with Lynn and her daughter Denise.
As tractors went past the cemetery riders like Greg Ladage paid tribute.
Pictures at the Logan Ladage Homestead and Dinner at Pudocks!
Drivers stopped at the Logan Ladage homestead for a group photo. With a bit of jostling and convincing, we got all the riders together. Chad Hogan brought a drone and took a few pictures for us as well!
After photos, we ended the drive at Puddock’s Hideout in Thayer. Friends and family gathered together to share memories of the day and catch up.
The food was great and we are so appreciative to Tish for acommodaing us!
We hope everyone had a great time. We plan to be back next year for another round!
Have you been on a tractor drive? I’d love to hear your story.
