Allow me to explain:
A few weeks ago Chaney and I drove up to Wiliston and Watford City, ND, where all the big oil boom is happening. And let me tell you, it is like a 3rd world country in some aspects. There were way too many moments when we were there that I thought of Uganda. It also makes me think about what life was like 100+ years ago during gold rushes....the way people live is like a modern day gold rush, maybe that's why they call oil "black gold".
Chaney and his truck (it's not running yet because it is too wet up there--
hauling gravel, dirt roads and rain don't make for very good trucking conditions)
At least it looks good right??
this is where the truck will someday haul gravel into.
I think it's kinda pretty ;)
LOTS of RV's.
LOTS! And not all of them are nicely parked in an area like this...
they will park WHEREVER and HOWEVER they can fit.
Watford City
used to be a small town. now it is overrun with oil workers, trucks etc.
But it's still cute (apparently I am really into looks right now ha)
These little "cabins" are for sale, rent, etc all over. They are basically one room duplexes...
I am thinking an RV is a better bet than these, but I thought they looked neat.
(Okay I thought they were cute!)
More RV's. More Trucks.
Mobile homes are also very popular. There are so many of them in these
undeveloped mobile home areas. I just can't explain how crazy it is up there.
Seeing this "food truck" was definitely a Uganda moment for me. Especially because just before
we saw this we had pulled up to a "cafe" that looked like a small hut type thing and it ended
up being one of these trucks with a "sitting area" (more like a wind break) built in front of it.
This one is parked by a bunch of warehouses and mobile homes in red dirt (there is
a specific name for this dirt that I do not remember. All I know is it
is red like Uganda.)
This is an actual drill rig.
These run 24 hours a day. And are kind of a big deal I guess....?
The guys that work on these live right here on site.
Well I wish I knew more about all this oil stuff and was better at explaining everything we saw while we there but hopefully the pictures give you somewhat of an idea of the kind of chaos that is happening in these towns.
Back to the question of, "where do I live?"
The water out here is not very good. It has a rotten-egg smell and metallic taste, so most people out here buy water. We have been buying water at the store but recently learned that at the state park (just 2 miles away) there is a spring where lots of people drive 20+ miles to come fill up their water. So we have decided that water 2 miles away and free sure beats $1.30 and 20 some miles away.
SO this is the "spring" where we now get good drinking water.
A little bit old school don't ya think?
Lastly, here are a few pictures I took the other day while out at the ranch.....
Oakley discovered the joys a simple hose can bring...
the spraying of the head was not so fun though.
This is more her style. Out and away.
Trying to prove that I have made friends...apparently Torey doesn't want anyone
to know that we are friends :(
awe! See. She likes me.
It was very bright!
"hi baby"
Oakley never misses an opportunity to wave and say "hi"
The boys after a very long day.
Waiting for burgers to finish cooking.
(Oakley has red eyes because she was eating jalepeno chips)
They are such happy men! (HA)
I think this was at 20 weeks. I will be 22 weeks on Monday.
Well I think that is all folks...baby is doing good, it's very active...wiggles lots and lots!
I love it!
