and some really big
stuff in North Dakota
June 6, 2012
| and some really big
stuff in North Dakota |
| As the two RV Gypsies drove down I-94 in North Dakota, they noticed something different and big on a hill, so they decided to stop and investigate. They were not sure what the object really was. It could barely be seen in the photo shown below on the left. After exiting the highway and driving a short distance, the two RV Gypsies saw that the object they spotted was a giant cow on the hill (the photo below on the right). They were in their car, not the RV. | |
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| Below: Turning right and driving up the hill, they learned that the giant cow is named Salem Sue. (The town is New Salem, ND) | |
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Below:
While driving up the hill, Karen Duquette zoomed the camera in on Salem
Sue to get a closer look. |
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Below:
The two RV Gypsies approached the top of the hill and parked where the
road ended. |
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| Below: Salem
Sue (The World's Largest Holstein Cow)
is a large fiberglass holstein cow statue located in New Salem, North
Dakota. The statue stands 38 feet high and is 50 feet long and
weighs 12,000 pounds. It sits on School Hill between the city
of New Salem and I-94 Highway and the cow is visible for 5 miles. It was
built for the New Salem Lions Club by Sculpture Mfg. Co. of LaCrosse,
Wisconsin, and transported to New Salem in three parts and erected under
the direction of Dave Oswald, artist, on New Salem Park District lands.
The total cost of the project was approximately $40,000 contributed by
dairymen, farmers, businessmen, dairy industry and residents of the area.
Its purpose is to honor and advertise the dairymen of our area, their superior herds and the production of high quality milk. |
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| Lee Duquette was still parking the car as Karen Duquette started walking up the hill towards Salem Sue. When Karen turned around to see if Lee was coming, Lee snapped a photo of her. | |
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Below: Karen Duquette
stood under Salem Sue, the World's Largest Holstein cow.
How brave of her !! |
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 Below:
Karen Duquette tried to milk the World's Biggest Holstein Cow. |
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Below: Maybe standing under
the Salem Sue was not a great idea, Karen. Pray it does NOT POOP! |
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Below: A view of the landscape from the hill where Salem Sue resides. |
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| Below: A panorama photo of the two RV Gypsies' car and the surrounding landscape - taken from standing up on the hill by Salem Sue. | |
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| Below: A close-up of the two RV Gypsies' toad - known as MOB - Monster Out Back, because it is a very long truck towed behind the RV. But remember, at this point in time, the two RV Gypsies were homeless because their RV (which is their only home) was in repair in Iowa, and they were hotel hopping, which proved to be very expensive. If they were in their RV, they would not have been able to suddenly decide to investigate the cow on the hill because the RV and truck together are usually too long to just pull off and stop in unplanned areas where they are not sure if they can turn around or not. | |
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| Below: While driving though North Dakota, the two RV Gypsies unexpectedly came across the World's Largest Sandhill Crane statue in Steele, North Dakota. | |
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| Steele is home to the world's largest sandhill
crane, a 38-1/2 foot tall Sandhill Crane statue named Sandy.
Inspired by the local wildlife, the Crane was built in 1998-99 by James
Miller of Arena, ND, in his farm shop. The rolled sheet metal was welded
in place, painted, and transported to its current location in 1999. A Memorial
Flower Garden was planted in 2004 in memory of James and the entire area
is now surrounded by numerous grass species, flowers, and trees all native
to the Coteau Rangeland of North Dakota.
The Coteau Rangeland is an area of glacial potholes located in the central flyway which makes it a favorite spot for migratory nesting wildlife, including the Sandhill Crane. The crane is the oldest living species of birds and has existed unchanged for more than 2 million years. The statue is sponsored and maintained by the World's Largest Sandhill Crane Foundation in Steele. It is a non-profit organization funded by private donations and gaming. |
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| Below: Lee Duquette stood
by the World's Largest Sandhill Crane statue. Lee also got brave enough
to stand under the crane, hoping it would not poop on him. |
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Below: Karen Duquette stood
by the World's Largest Sandhill Crane statue |
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Menu for the two RV Gypsies in North Dakota,
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Below are
eight (8) sections of the adventures of the two RV Gypsies in North Dakota. You may
view them in any order you wish. |
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Big Oddities (this page) |
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Rugby - Geographical Center |
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The Painted Canyon |
The
International Peace Garden |
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AFTER you have seen all six (6) sections above, 
