Earl Sees the World!

[Bigfattyt]

Looks like Earl is having a grand old time!

If he makes it up back to Washington, maybe to the central WA area, I might meet him!


Mark, hopefully everything went fine for your mom.

 

[Notthisfalcon]

Mark, prayers and best wishes for your Mom's speedy recovery.

 

[paulhilborn]

Sorry fellow forum members, EARL didn't get out on the town today due to work complications---there's more happening on Saturday anyways

 

[Mort Canard]

EARL and I LOVE this picture:thumbup:

I found it on the 'net a week or so ago and your avatar jumped to mind. Glad you got a kick out of it.
Mort

 

[paulhilborn]

Earl sees Valley City, ND and the Universe!!!

Ok, Nanc and I took Earl sightseeing yesterday but the posting of the pictures was delayed do to a knife injury last night...Brett can back me up here as we spoke about it

First off a little about Valley City, ND population 6,000 or thereabouts. We are the County seat and house the Court House in Town. Both Nanc and I where raised here and in turn raised or boys in Valley City:thumbup:

Hard working, hard partying, Church going people live here. The number of bars is only equal to the number of churches---I think this is common in many small communities

We have what we call "Bar Row" where you can literally hit seven bars in a three block stretch---the churches on the other hand are more spread out.

The local watering hole for "The Dakota Riders" MC---a great club which gives back to the community in spades:thumbup:

You can get from one end of town to the other in about 5 minutes unless you hit the five car back up where our two busiest streets cross each other, Main Street and Central avenue

I LOVE where I live, if we need more culture we can travel the 60 miles East to the Famed City of FARGO

OK, first stop was to see Nancy working at her place of Employment, Budget Home Furnishing

I had to take this picture as the owners hired me to repaint the sign---always have to document your work

Me with Earl in one pocket and the camera in the other...

Nanc was uncertain about this new guest and after learning of this thread she was quite eager to participate in showing EARL some North Dakota Hospitality:thumbup:

While I waited fro Nanc to get off work at 2:00, I literally walked Earl across the street to the Public Library that's well over 100 years old.

Now the neat thing about the Library are the two Lions perched out front. They used to be in front of a building aptly named "The Lions Court" which was first a Hospital then turned into housing for the local University---I use to slide down the railing and hop onto the Lions as a boy---the Lions have been in Valley for well over 100 years as well:thumbup:

Earl perched atop one of the Lions

When I came back to talk to Nanc we talked more about this thread and where Earl had been and who he had visited. Primble, two Marks and Barry and some of the things Earl has seen and done.

Primble showed pictures of Sheep and a Donkey during Earls visit and when I told Nanc that she said "We have Sheep" sooooo

Earl with one of the Serta Bedding sheep:thumbup: This made Earl either a little uncomfortable or tired, I wasn't sure.

So Nanc thought we should hit the road and give Earl a little boot---gently mind you.

Next stop was one of the Longest and Highest Single Train Trestles in the US...The Hi-Line Bridge...we had to first stop up near the Depot and take Earls picture on the track.

A view from the West looking East, near the beginning of the Hi-Line.

A shot of Earl and the Hi-Line from the Valley floor...

The big thing in High School was to actually cross the bridge on foot---you better know the train schedule

Now Agriculture is obviously HUGE in North Dakota and what better place than Valley City to house one of the biggest Ag shows in a Six State region, fondly known as the "WINTER SHOW"

Behold one of the Largest Pole Barn/Quonsets around:thumbup:

This is much bigger in person than the picture Indicates and yes we are all pretty proud of her...she houses another building on the back of the Barn that is out of Site. They house PRCA Rodeos, Concerts, Tractor pulls---really everything one hard workin Man or Woman could hope for Some of the best Bull Riders in the World have ridin here

From the Hi-Line Bridge on the North side of the Valley we go to the South end of town and look out across the Valley floor.

This board highlights interesting places in the Valley, such as Hotels, Concert Halls, Mills, Dams and many historical items:thumbup:

Earl found many items interesting here.

Such as info on the Hi-Line Bridge.

Additional Hi-Line Bridge info here:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hi-Line_Railroad_Bridge

Earls on board:thumbup:

From the view point above is a neat park area. We have a long time Professor at the University that built the "Medicine Wheel" a very neat place that this link will share details about---quite interesting:thumbup:

http://medicinewheel.vcsu.edu/

Although this simply looks like a pile of gravel and rocks, it's the Medicine Wheel talked about in the link above you can just make out the Celestial ring of boulders in the background.

Before Earl begins his Celestial tour we start with planet EARTH...

as he heads farther into the abyss, he makes a few stops along the way...

Down this path Earl stops to visit other planets...

Next stop Neptune...

Earl would've stopped at the planet URANUS but apparently vandals thought they'd steal that marker

Earls mode of transportation on this Celestial journey?...let's just say Earl was a happy man in Nancy's back pocket during the entire ride:thumbup: Color me jealous

These are just some of the things Earl got to see---Valley City is right on Interstate 94 in fact Nanc and I live just South across the Interstate from the Winter Show. This is a picture from the South side of the Winter Show Barn---if you look closely you'll noticed different colored (new) panels of corrugated steel. The Snow caused a roof collapse several years back and the noise was close to that of a sonic boom:thumbup:

So, there is Earls trip to Valley City Nd to visit Nanc and I---we had a blast putting this together:thumbup:

Just a note: Mark (Markesharp) sent Earl my way after he rec'd him from either Mark or Primble---I know Mark had mentioned Gev was next in line---Gev and I spoke and with work and his new place he politely passed on a visit from Earl now at least. Barry and I had spoken earlier that Duncan was eager for a visit from Earl.

Earl is headed "Down Under" check back for further updates:thumbup:

Thanks Evan---great thread and a TON of fun:thumbup:

 

[KBA]

Wonderful pics Paul!:thumbup:

Good to see you and Nanc out enjoying a day with Earl.
That lil knife may have seen more in his short travels than I have in 34 years lol.
Keep that womb clean my friend and thanks again for showing us around.

 

[freezergeezer]

I'll be finishing up this contract in the UK in about July / August & heading back to Oz.
If Earl's travels happen to tie in, he's welcome to hitch a lift with me.

Edit: hang on - I hadn't bothered to read the whole thread! Oops! Well, just ignore me. Nothing to see here folks. Move it on.

 

[clutchcarter]

Thanks for showing Earl and all of us around your town Paul. There's lots to see in such a small town. Huge buildings, high trestles! It looks like a great place to grow up and a great place to raise a family too.
That trestle reminds me of one near Louisville. Legend goes that a creature that's half man half sheep traps kids on the tracks when the train is coming! I'd sure hate to get caught in the middle of that one when the train comes! Have you ever crossed it?
And once again........Earl gets the girl!

 

[5K Qs]

Paul, you're an excellent host! :thumbup::thumbup:
I'm sure most of us envy the good time you showed EARL in ND.
Lots of great pics. I REALLY liked the library lions; I wish my library had lions like all your big city libraries do.

- GT

 

[singin50]

Woohoo, great pics Paul! EARL is really gettin round these days!

 

[Primble]

That Earl sure does get around !!! It seems he also gets around with the ladies the most.

Paul,

Looks like you and Nanc showed him a great time in your rural community, actually mine is nearly that rural. I really liked the Hi-line and we also have a similar old structure here called High Bridge, on the Kentucky River. This is an old post card of it:

I also liked the old lions at the library, where you played on them as a child. :thumbup:

Actually - I enjoyed it all and am looking forward to Earl's bold adventures, as he leaps across the Pacific to our friend Duncan, and truly embarks on his WORLD wide adventures. :thumbup:

 

[mqqn]

Cool - I love old railroad bridges - very nice tour of your area!

Map updated

https://www.google.com/maps/@38.274...=!3m1!4b1!4m2!6m1!1szICf1xRYfDwQ.kJE8tTtZsgsk

best

mqqn

 

[Primble]

Map updated

Link not working properly this time.

 

[paulhilborn]

Thanks guys, it was our pleasure to host Earl on his travels:thumbup: Mark, sadly I've never crossed the Hi-Line bridge however my two older brothers have:thumbup:

Primble , the Hi-Line was first known as the High Bridge as well:thumbup:

 

[Campbellclanman]

Fantastic guys!!
Just Brilliant photo's of your Lovely spot in the world Nanc and Paul, both Sue and I just cant wait to get there - some great photos there:thumbup:
The Hi-line Bridge looks awesome, isnt it amazing just how different our lives and the places we live are so different - I have never walked in Snow!
Cant wait for Earl to show up - although-yeah....gotta watch him with the ladies it looks

 

[Gevonovich]

You and Nanc are quite the hosts, Paul. Looks like a fine place to grow up and live!! The medicine wheel is really interesting and I sure would like to go into that library! The books it must contain. I just love the photograph of the town and the High-line Bridge...great shot. I have made it up to South Dakota and one day would love to make it up North. I guess ole Earl has me beat there. I would love to take in the "Winter Show" some day. I can only imagine all the great rodeos and ag shows that have taken place in that building! A great piece of Americana:thumbup::thumbup:

Great work Paul and thank Nanc for us ...for the fine hospitality and pictures. Earl...you lucky dawg

 

[mqqn]

Link not working properly this time.

It worked for me - let's try again -

https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=zICf1xRYfDwQ.kJE8tTtZsgsk

best

mqqn

 

[dave308ek]

Wow Paul, you really showed Earl a great time. It really does look like a great place to grow up and raise a family :thumbup: I loved all the pictures and especially the one of Earl on the tracks of the High-Line, I bet the conversation went something like this; High-Line" I have a lot of Steel" Earl "But mine is of the highest quality" All you knife people on the porch really know how to tell a story. Thanks for sharing North Dakota and your family with Earl and us.

 

[Markesharp]

Awesome tour of Valley City Paul and Nancy! That place is beautiful brother, I can see why you love it there! :thumbup:

I told you EARL loves the ladies.

 

[eschwebach]

Fun pics Paul, I enjoyed the tour of Valley City. EARL is one lucky knife, I wish I was as well traveled.