And That's No Bull

I went to a rodeo last weekend. A rodeo! Can you believe that? I can honestly say I've always wanted to see real cowboys riding bulls. The chaps, the hats, the boots, the danger - great stuff.

But there were a few surprises in store for me:

1. Those cowboys are just kids. Holy Cow! They are young guns.

2. There were girls (typically young too) who did barrel racing. And they were AMAZING. Those horses flew! I don't know how they stayed on.

3. There was a giant 50' American flag strung up over the arena and that should have been a clue to the Americana/All American Theme.

4. The clown was really funny and great at getting the crowd involved during the slow times of the rodeo (like when they had to wrestle the bull to get him back in the gate).

5. The stereo system sounded fantastic and they played great music.

6. The intermission involved Toby Keith's song "Boot in Your Ass" with a man strapped in rope lights, holding an illuminated American flag, racing a horse around in the dark arena AND a fireworks show. It couldn't have been more hokey - which is what made it so great.

7. They let the kids into the arena for a dance competition at intermission.

8. Don't mess with the bull they can get real mean. One bull caught a clown under the arm and pitched him upside down into the air. I think he broke a tooth on the landing but he walked away from it.

9. There was fair food - funnel cakes, ice cream, hot dogs.

10. They also sold saddles, hats, belts, chaps, and all kinds of cowboy clothing.

11. The local volunteer firemen were there taking parking donations.

12. We walked through a "fresh field" where the cattle used to be - good thing we had put on our boots.

13. The two guys who were on horses to help wrangle the bulls back into the pen were named by the clown. They were "Peaches 'N Cream."

14. It was as much fun watching them get the bulls back into the pen as the bull riding itself.

15. Those cowboys wear kevlar vests and helmets (usually).

16. They told Obama jokes. People chuckled to be polite. This is south ya'll - people are polite.

17. Kids threw food at the clown. The bites of funnel cake hit the dirt. The clown still picked it up and ate it. Yum - crunchy.

18. There was a funny banana eating contest with involved dancing with blindfolds on. A fuzzy haired, teenager won $100.

Savor the details.