No more excuses, Leaving the Bakken

[moparguy]

For the last 3 years, I've been working 1500 miles from home in NW North Dakota in the Bakken Oil Play. Well, on Sunday a newbie pays me for my Arctic Fox trailer and I head home for good. Been on the same project for the past two years, it's winding down and I'm not looking for another. All those home projects I've been "not" working on will now start getting some well deserved attention.

Gonna be just in time to fertilize a hay field and put in a garden.

Man is home looking good from the far north.

 

[JCasper]

Where is home?

I've been up there 4 times now and going again soon, but I only go for a week at a time to visit customers. It's rough up there, lots of money to be made but very hard on the home life

 

[JJPage]

That(Bakken) is home in some respects...just no longer recognizable as I remember it. Before my Dad died 3 years ago, he and his 10 brothers and sisters shared ownership of 280 acres in Zahl, a small township 22 miles north of Williston. It is where my Dad was born and raised and he was quite fond of it, from all the stories he used to share with us kids.

The Page Family still owns all the property and mineral rights, and we have contracts with (Hunt) oil companies and gravel contractors for road maintenance. My Uncle Arden has taken charge, so to speak, and has built/designated this property into the "Alice and Martin Page family Trust". Only 3 of the original 10 children remain with us, so the children of the other 7 have become the beneficiaries, of which I am one. Split up the way the trust is, the royalties we receive does not amount to much, but is certainly welcome.

August 9th of this year, the Pages and Bratleins are having a Family re-union in Zahl, most likely set up at the community center, not sure just yet if it will accommodate us all. We will be arriving from all corners of the US, so quite a diversity of states will be represented, and I am sure more than a few Diesel trucks(mostly Rams) pulling their "prey" behind them. Any CTD's (or others) in the area, are welcome to stop by and say Hello.

At past re-unions held there, the locals provided never ending streams of casseroles, hot dishes, water, even offered showers in their homes for us to use...With the influx/expansion of the population, some of the local goodwill has vanished, but years and years of "ingrained good manners" is awfully hard to diminish overnight.

To the previous posters, heading home, Thank you for your work effort, your contribution to the Bakken may have been minor or not, idk, but have a safe trip back home, and enjoy Easter Sunday at home.

Happy Easter, Jess

 

[moparguy]

Jess, well it seems I have a price and someone's paying it. I took on the role of Project Manager for a 60 mile line in your old neck of the woods (doesn't exactly fit the area now that I think about it) in ND. Actually have an office in Grenora. Nice area and great people. I drive through Zahl most every day. And what's up with the hills that pop up and disappear between Zahl and Grenora?

 

[JJPage]

I haven't been back in several years, all I've been told is it's not recognizable as I would remember. If my health will cooperate I will find out 1st hand in August, but not sure I can endure the trip, let alone the environment(heat/skeeters & such).

Are the hills that magically appear and disappear gravel prospectors? I know the contract for gravel has changed hands more times than I can remember, I believe a New Jersey company holds it presently, my uncle says they are constantly re-negotiating price, but never sell any gravel.

Good Luck with your new assignment, Home will just have to wait a bit longer, but you know what they say..."You gotta make hay while the sun is shining".

 

[MMeier]

Any money to be made up there anymore ? I've heard that it has come down quite a bit in the last year up there. Been toying with the idea of going up that way and driving a water truck or something for a bit , can't find anything steady around this hole lately.