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Borrego Springs, CA

Friday, July 5, 2013

Had myself a Ferris Wheel ride today

I had business in Detroit Lakes today, like returning the clock that didn’t work to Wal-Mart.  There was someone at the jewelry stand today, so I had them take a couple of links out of the band of the wristwatch I bought last week.  Then I got a haircut from a ‘not so nice’ young Minnesotan lady.  Tried to buy a new tie out for Emma before she breaks the one she is on and heads for the hills.  No luck.  It’s on order.  Yeah, right.  I just don’t like shopping at Wal-Mart. 

Anyway, then it was on to Fargo, ND, to pick up an order I had made.  Steve, the other volunteer, had told me about an interesting store in Fargo, so I found my way there.  It’s name is Scheels, and is something like a Cabellas.  It’s a sporting goods store, and I wanted to buy one of those new fangled pair of pants where you can zip off the bottoms of the legs and end up with a pair of shorts.  Lots of people wear them, so I thought I’d give a pair a try instead of my standard blue jeans.

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The first thing I noticed  on the outside of Scheels were the bronze Presidential statues.  They were quite well done.  If you needed a rest, you could sit with a President.

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There were also wax Presidential figures lining the second story of this store. In my opinion, they were not as well done as the bronze statues.  I’ll let you figure out who all these famous presidents are, or perhaps you could ask Sandie of Where are the Dixons Today.  She’s been posting a couple of US history quizzes lately in honor of the July 4th holiday. Winking smile

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After finding a new pair of pants, I had to take a ride on this in store Ferris Wheel.  I enjoy Ferris Wheels almost as much as I enjoy roller coasters, and for a buck, I decided to go for it.  I was the only one on the ride.  When it ended, the young attendant asked if I had enjoyed my ride.  My answer to her was, “Life is too short to pass up a ride on a Ferris wheel!” 

It transported me back in time to when I was a young girl, and road the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) to Riverview Amusement Park.  My two favorite rides were the roller coasters and the Ferris wheel.  Does anyone else remember ‘The Bobs’?  I think it was 10 cents for the first ride, and then you could stay on board for a nickel to do it again.  I spent at least a quarter each time I got on The Bobs!  Big money in those days.

I’d sneak off with ‘Stinky Steiny’, the boy two doors down whose real name was Allen Steinhoffle,and we’d hop a bus for 12 cents to head to Riverview.  We’d ignore all the carnies trying to guess your weight and such and head straight for the roller coasters.  I thought I was pulling a fast one on my mother, but she probably guessed where I had been when a gold fish would suddenly appear that I had won from tossing a ping-pong ball into a tiny glass fishbowl.  Riverview Park is long gone now, but I sure have fond memories of it, including a ride on the parachute jump with my older brother, Carl.  I wasn’t very big at that time, and I’m sure I would have floated away if I hadn’t held on to him.  No safety restraints in those days…

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Well now, after that side trip down memory lane, back to Scheels.  There’s also this float plane suspended in the mezzanine next to the Ferris wheel.  I guess they’ve been in business for some time.  I’d just never heard of them before.

73 Tamarac NWR, 20136I got a hoot out of a sign section they had in the store.  Not enough of a hoot to buy anything, mind you, but worth a chuckle just the same.  These were a few of my favorites.  Haven’t lost any teeth lately, so I’m still smiling.

Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later,  Judy

32 comments:

  1. Glad you got to ride the ferris wheel, looks like it was good fun. isn't it neat the way things or smells take you back to an earlier time in your life...

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  2. What a great store. hope you enjoy the pants/shorts.

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  3. Riverview was always good for a long afternoon of fun.

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  4. Wasn't a roller coaster girl, but did love the ferris wheel and the swings that would swirl out as the ride gathered speed. The presidents at this store beat the dead animals at Cabelas.

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  5. Al has some of those pants and he likes them real well.

    That store looks like an interesting place to spend some time. Is it a typo, or were you really in Fargo, SD? Whenever you say Fargo, I'm thinking ND, but maybe there is a Fargo SD as well.

    Love the header picture with the baby peeking out.

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  6. What a great store. Weh ad the Forest Park Highland here. Atone time we had the oldest wooden roller coaster in existence, can't beat the sound of the old roller coasters, the clackety clack sounds they made. Sadly it is now a community college. A I agree bad statues of presidents is better than dead animals.

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  7. Sounds like a lot of fun. I love the Ferris wheel too.

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  8. That place must be huge. We would be in there several hours just taking in the entertainment.

    I never did and still do not like the Ferris Wheel or any, including kiddie, roller coasters. I actually do not get any thrill out of being scared!

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  9. Oh yes!!! I remember "The Bobs" and the parachute ride at Riverview very well. Had some great times there. ;-)
    Jim

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  10. We have a great Scheels store in Billings but it sure doesn't have a Ferris Wheel! They are building a new one to open in 2014, as big as the building looks maybe it will have one?????

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  11. Guess we're gonna have to put Scheel's on our "to do" list.... Cabela's is my favorite so far over Pro Bass or Gander Mountain or others. We've been in a Cabela's when a whole class of school kids came in.. apparently on a field trip to see the animals they display... kind of like a natural history museum ... I guess both wax presidents or taxidermy critters can be educational. I've never worn pants with those zip-off legs.... hope you critique later.

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  12. I really like the sign that says "sweat is fat crying" !!!

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  13. Like Janna said - we have a Scheels in Billings and I used to spend a lot of time in there buying Christmas presents for Jim. Now we're going to have to be sure and visit the new store when it opens. But there is no way you will get me on a Ferris wheel. It's the only ride I just can't handle. Can't even watch them going around on TV.

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  15. Really enjoy your blog and adventures. I have been reading every day for some time being a part-time RVer with spouse we both have been in most of the states with our Casita. Only way to travel.

    Just wanted you to know you're not the only one with a great dislike for Wally World. Their only attirbute is price. Customer service is something they cannot spell or comprehend and a tremendous amount of their merchadise is junk. Only shop at WM when there is no alternative.

    Martin

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  16. I got stuck for a while on a Ferris Wheel when I was about 12 - didn't much care for them after that.

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  17. Just goes to prove some kids never grow up! :c)

    Marti is a big fan of roller coasters, too. Me, not so much, I get a little motion sickness from them. After years of being seasick, I don't enjoy that feeling from having a roller coaster ride.

    I'll stick to the solid ground, thank you very much. :cD

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  18. Well, what a fun day you had!!! They have one of those in Iowa City and LOVE o go there, they always have the greatest shoes, different from everyplace else.....

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  19. Neat store, we may get there this weekend. Enjoy your new "pants", I have several pair of those with zip off legs, LOL.
    Bob

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  20. Yes, I remember the Bobs, but mostly remember my Mom "forcing" me to go on the really tame Greyhound when I was 10 years old. I was terrified and it was one loooong scream. When it ended, my comment was "can we go again". From then on, I love roller coasters.

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  21. Love those signs! I remember the ferris wheels with great pleasure too. I always look for your posts even though I don't write much.

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  22. I'd never heard of Sheels either.

    Um, whatz the deal with the haircut from the "not so nice" young Minnesotan lady? Tell more!

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  23. Definitely putting that store on my list. LOVE those signs especially the one about the teeth. LOL

    So glad you got to go on the ferris wheel. Inside the store now that's something. I'm not much for roller coasters but I do love ferris wheels. Loved your memories of it as a kid. What fun you had and how sharp your memory is.

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  24. Don't know if you'll get this, Judy, but yes you can use Picasa on a Mac. Free Download.

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  25. That was a fun visit! We remember fondly Playland at the Beach in San Francisco, again long gone. The Fun House was one of our favorites, but the most fun included: Pronto Pups, Cotton Candy, Salt Water Taffy. Neither of us really liked the roller coaster. Oh, another favorite was the Dodge'm Cars -- now that was FUN! Even as a young couple dating, we rode the Dodge'm Cars.

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  26. There is a big Scheels in Reno, Nv. near where my brother lives. Russ and I always visit Scheels when we're in town. LOVE that store!! I've been chicken to ride the Ferris Wheel but I did beat both Russ and my brother-in-law at the shooting gallery!! I love Ferris Wheels - I was just afraid the kids would make fun of an old lady riding it. Next time, I'm going for it!! Did they have the big fish tanks at that Scheels?

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  27. Been to the Scheels in Appleton WI I don't think quite as big as the one you were at. So glad you made a fun day out of shopping!!!

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  28. We like those pants too- cooler than jeans. I love to ride most anything. Fun stuff!

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  29. ‘Stinky Steiny’ ... HAHaaaaaaa

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  30. Very nice blog. I like it. Visit at
    travel stores to get more information about travelling.

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