Another summer full of the fun and excitement that the sun brings is waning. In the Ballard household that means weekends full of roping, riding, and rodeo-ing!
There’s something about the dirt ‘n dust, home-made soda bubbling over, the kettle corn and roasted nuts, and don’t even get me started on the beef brisket!
(okay, well since you asked… it falls off your fork so you’re better off with a spoon, it’s smoked and tender and fills your stomach with all the succulent goodness that only red meat can (sorry to all those vegetarians out there). Mmmm, divine!!!)
This year we took it easy and only hit up our favourites. Michael is gently coercing Cheyenne into embracing the love of the sport so we started with the rodeo in Prescott, Az.
It’s always fun to see people dressed up on Whiskey Row in 19th century garb; women wearing corsets and big petti-coat filled skirts, while the men show off their wild west “cool” in 10 gallon hats and handle-bar mustaches. It’s really a great community event and to be honest, I don’t pay much attention to the buckin’ broncs or the 8 second buzzer… I love seeing the dynamics of friends and families spending time together, enjoying and celebrating the heritage of the west. Cowboy blood runs thick in these parts and the event ignites tremendous pride and patriotism. Talk about an opportunity for people watching at its best!
Anywho, I think Cheyenne had fun too and I had to rein her in a time or two because she wanted to be part of whatever was going on in the arena… Yikes!
(Thanks Uncle Petey for the fabulous dress and boots… very apropos)
The highlight of Cheyenne’s day was meeting the Rodeo Royalty. Can I git a B-L-I-N-G!?!
Personally, the best part of a rodeo is the opening ceremony. The royalty come into the arena on their horses with flags dressed in red, white, and blue waving in the wind as they ride. A tribute to the great country in which we live is presented as you stand and hold your hat to your heart with the sounds of the “Star Spangled Banner” stirring your soul. Then the mega speakers reverberate with the sound of Katharine Lee Bates’s song “America the Beautiful” while John Wayne (The Duke) recites why he loves this great nation. Can I git an AMEN!
(listen to it here - ->) http://www.sagebrushpatriot.com/america.htm
Thank you summer, for all the fun! And Prescott, … hope to see you again next year!
2 comments:
Ah Candy...now you don't need a blog. You can just use Courts.
Wow Miss Cheyennie was the star of the Rodeo for sure
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