old-fashioned greenhouse take-down party

The first big investment in my future farm: a 48' x 28' greenhouse. The challenge: relocation-- from the Hudson Valley to Rochester. A big project!
Luckily, I had lots of willing helpers. THANK YOU! I am so incredibly blessed to have my parents drive all the way out here, my aunt, uncle, and 2 cousins drive up from New Jersey, and 3 regular farm volunteers & their spouses come out and bring their tools with them. I couldn't have done this by myself. With everyone's help we got it all loaded on the truck in less than 6 hours. The teamwork was inspiring.
First we cleared out the tables and equipment from inside. Then I left to go pick up the truck (it was about an hour away). If there are no pictures here of me working, it's because I didn't do any work! What a Tom Sawyer I pulled on everyone... thanks guys!
First the non-structural hanging tubes were taken down.
Hi Aunt Bev!
The tape holding the plastic on the endwalls was de-stapled.
Many ladders were used.
The brawny men took out the huge fan.
Mom recorded things-- this will be really helpful for reconstructing it later. Thanks!
The first endwall coming down.
The plastic peeled off. The scaffolding was borrowed from Farmer Dave (thanks!), I'll have to build one of my own sometime.
And I returned victorious with the 26 foot long truck!
A scene that melted my heart as I parked the truck and got out: the folding of the plastic. It was just so amazing to see everyone working together so intently, spread out on the lawn covered in autumn leaves.
The sun began to set as we took down the frame. Mom didn't take many pictures of this because we were all holding up the arches, loosening bolts, or carrying poles-- like a well-oiled machine.
The final endwall comes down. It's getting cold and we're all getting a little hungry. (Thanks, mom, for bringing snacks!)
The poles, fans, vents, tables, tubes, tarps, and plastic all went on the truck assembly-line fashion, and even those heavy cement blocks! What a push!
It was just about dark when we drove back up to the farm to have some warm chicken soup, fresh cornbread, & homemade applesauce. I am so grateful for all the help. What a way to start a farm.

The last tomato of the season (kept on my kitchen counter for weeks)...
...and saying goodbye to these fields.
Onto new fields now.

Dad wanted to drive the truck back, so I followed mom down the thruway, in my little Honda hatchback stuffed with my clothes & books, and some potatoes for the winter. Three of us drove back to Rochester, where my brother & his friend were waiting to help us unload the truck. Thanks again guys. Wow, I really need some rest. But coffee will do for now.