I took the kid back to college on Wednesday. He got a sprained ankle last week so Heather and I did an evacuation to back home and got him in to see a doctor, fed him, did his laundry and got him rested up to go back. It’s just a sprain says the doc so we got him a brace and some ibuprofen and so back to school he goes. On the way back from dropping him off I stopped at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City. I had not been there in ages. Turns out that they have a lot of new stuff to show and I’ll post about that later. Today I am showing what they had outside, underneath a big blue Oklahoma Sky with some wind. (If it is Oklahoma, the wind is always blowing.)
I looked at a bunch of oil and gas stuff. This is known as a “Christmas Tree” with valves installed on a oil or gas well to control and regulate the flow. I have never actually seen a stack this high. Usually they are about only two or three valves. I’m guessing what happened is that somebody wanted to donate the tree and so they got all the junk valves they could round up, bolted them together, slapped a coat of paint on it and said “Here you are!” Makes for an impressive sight but I wouldn’t stand near it in a lightning storm.
This is a pump jack used for pumping oil out of the ground. They are also used on natural gas wells to pump the water out that impedes from natural gas well. There is a technical name for those kind of gas wells. They are called “sorry ass gas wells.”
An old school wagon using for hauling oil.
A portable drilling rig. Needs a coat of paint. Also something to stay from in a lightning storm.
And a red truck. I’ve loved red trucks ever since I was about two years old.
That’s enough for now!!
I’m linking with Skywatch Friday. Come check it out.
Such an interesting post since I wouldn’t see these things where I live.
There is a technical name for those kind of gas wells. They are called “sorry ass gas wells”. LOL!
Sorry, got sidetracked by your hilarious comment. Glad your son is back to school and able to get around. You and your wife are such good parents to tend to him when he’s hurt!
…some of these look life northwest Pennsylvania! Thanks for hosting, take care.
Hard to imagine the need for all those valves, but it makes for a great sculpture!
Interesting collection.
glad your son is better and back to school – I always enjoy our trips you share – lots of oil industry items which I really know nothing about. Growing up in Tennessee, I didn’t see oil wells.
Fascinating ‘gadgets’ ~ love the red truck and ‘Xmas tree ~ great photos ~ Glad your son is better and back to college ~ Happy Weekend to you ^_^
Living moment by moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
I’m glad to hear Logan is on the mend. It looks like that museum was made especially for you. I remember you gave our girls red trucks when they were little. I always appreciated that. Introduce them to all sorts of things so that they don’t grow up to girly.
Have seen those around, but never knew it was a wagon for hauling oil. Don’t remember that about OK that the wind is always blowing! Also like the tower of gas valves:) Hopefully this weekend will be a lot more boring than last (Sunday is when the ice storm started hitting in Taxas. Even worse, the power outage!)
Jesh
Good to know that your son’s sprain is not a serious one and he is now back at school. Interesting sculptures outside the Oklahoma History Center. That is an interesting Christmas tree with valves. I like red trucks too.
That is a cool Christmas tree!
Years ago, I was introduced to Kansas in February, and I saw all the trees leaning in one directon – I soon found out why. Yes, the wind! I enjoyed seeing the equipment and those lovely blue skies. Now I know where they went! (and I’ll be laughing at “sorry ass gas wells” all day today).
Interesting “Christmas Tree”. 🙂
I’m glad Logan was not seriously injured! Our daughter broke her ankle a couple of months ago. Ouch! (Being a grandma herself, she’s too old now to need our help … so I just feel bad for her. I don’t think it does much toward her rehab (. ). …. were you feeling nostalgic for your career days when you toured this part of the museum?
Gorgeous blue sky. It matches the blue colour that surrounds your blog! I’m glad your son is okay and able to return back to college. You are good and supportive parents. I love the red truck. Red is such a stand out colour. Have a great weekend.
Greetings and Salutations from Illinois! Yea your son is back in college. Blue sky is a great background for the wagon hauling oil. All those valves are interesting. Glad you stopped at the museum. Take care.
I’ve never seen one of those “Christmas trees” you get the odd one here but nothing that high.
I enjoyed your commentary! Best wishes to Logan.
Alan – those are incredibly large pieces, especially the portable drilling rig … Great education for people who don’t know much about these things, and reminders for those who have worked in the industry … Glad the sprain was not more serious.