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Madisonville, TN

Yesterday I got to find out the real reason that my Daughter Cheyenne and I grow giant vegetables and I would like to thank everyone on Bigpumpkins for making it happen.

Our year started out as the finish of my daughter Cheyennes's 4 year FFA project on giant vegetable production. Everyday my Father, a lifetime farmer, walked the patch with his cane inspecting his granddaughter's progress. No one he met could get away without hearing about them.
About two weeks ago we found out Dad had to have a triple heart bypass the day before Cheyenne's big finish in Allardt. We did not want to leave for a weighoff with dad in ICU but he insisted that we go right up to the point he was wheeled off in the stretcher. We went the weighoff with sad hearts that turned to smiles as we met some of the nicest people on Earth. Cheyenne finished 10th with her pumpkin at 685 pounds, 6th with her watermelon at 169.7 pounds, and and 2nd with 101 inch long gourd which was a new state record for about two minutes. Not too bad among some of the heavy hitters that were there.
We quickly loaded at the weighoff concluded and and headed to hospital to see Dad. We were lucky enough to be able to park the truck so that all of the veggies could be see from his window. Within seconds of hearing the news Dad had perked up and had called every nurse and doctor in the hospital to come see what his granddaughter had done. Before we left for the night I swear that Dad looked 30 years younger and you couldn't wipe the smile from his face.
Cheyenne my not have brought home 1st place but we were the big winners at yesterdays weighoff. Thanks to everyone for help making it happen.
I can't wait til next year with a three generation team taking on the giant veggie world. :-)

,Cloudwalker and Cheyenne

10/5/2014 9:30:23 AM

Anamosa, IA BPIowegian@aol.com

Congratulations to Cheyenne on an awesome growing season. And get well wishes and prayers for her Grandfather for a fast recovery. I agree that the best part of this hobby is all the smiles you see on the faces of family, friends and total strangers who see these giants of the garden. I will save some seeds from the Iowa state record gourd for you, so hopefully Cheyenne can get the Tennessee record back next year.

10/5/2014 10:02:53 AM

Sparta, NC

Awesome

10/5/2014 11:13:45 AM

West Paris Me.

Thank you for sharing this with all of us. You made me cry.
Congrats to Cheyenne and Grampa

10/5/2014 11:16:40 AM

Spring Hope, N.C. - USA

everyone who grows is a winner.The younger the better.Hope to be the proud grandfather one day myself.thanks for the story and keep on growing.

10/5/2014 11:52:23 AM

Arden, NC

It was a pleasure meeting you yesterday Cheyenne, you and your Dad can grow em big! I expect to see you much higher on the winners board in the coming year. Rookiesmom

10/5/2014 3:17:18 PM

Massillon, Ohio

Beautiful story. Thank you for sharing it.

10/5/2014 4:52:26 PM

East Jordan, MI

Yes thank you for sharing. Congrats on the weigh off and a speedy recovery for your grandfather.

10/5/2014 7:10:28 PM

Owensboro, Ky.

cwalker & Cheyenne...might be bp.com story of the year!!! Congrats to both...and, best wishes for dad's quick recovery!!! I am hoping grampa w/ cane will be helping Cheyenne for years to come!!! Peace, Wayne

10/7/2014 1:32:20 AM