C. D. Rodeo!

Viewer warning (again):   long post, too many photos ahead!

 The critters involved may not be too keen on rodeos, but there's still something that appeals to me about them.  The way they commemorate an integral part of our history.  They way they respect our country and honor its bravest.

 What's wrong with this picture?  

Not a thing!

 Or this one?

Same deal.

 Another reason I like rodeos.

 Hoist 'im high, Mom!

Pretty rough ballet...

Man, this bull is full of it!  Yikes!  No thank you!

 Love the Men in Hats...

 This bull?  Not so mean.  See that one guy's smile?  Yeah, they were able to lead this one back to the gate OK...

 Nice dismount!
(except possibly one point off for that foot still in the stirrup thing...?)

So one of the stunts they had towards the end of the rodeo was this motorcycle stunt guy...

(he ends up jumping this truck-trailer set-up, landing in the dirt without a down-ramp - pretty amazing)

 Is this him?  Nope.

 This is!  The clown!  He was hilarious, bantering with the announcer the entire time.  And then...  They got me!  I had no idea he was also the stunt rider!  Soon became obvious though!!

How do you do that, esp. in a sequin top and pink pants?  Don't know, but he's pretty good at it.

 Cowgirl in training. 

 Unfortunately, they always schedule the barrel racers for after dark - darn!  So here come the grainy photos...

 The Ends (from left to right, in descending order).

Ride on _ _ _ _ _son!

C. D. Parade

As part of a week-long celebration of the ag community that WK1 is, the town held a parade one morning.  I'm not sure I've ever gone to a parade!  But this seemed like a good opportunity to check one out and yes, you guessed it - take photos!

 There's just something cool about cowboys (and cowgirls)...

 Readying to ride...

 Waiting to watch...

 Kicking it off with the color guard...

 Rodeo queens...

 One noisy parade float - it mooed, baaed and oinked its way down main street!

The moo-ers and their people.

 Getting a tow...

This town is one of many that hosts a Tough Enough to Wear Pink rodeo.  I'm not sure how tough these gals look, but I like this chica's style!  And truly, if you saw this coming, you might run the other way, yeah?

 And her riding partner.

 Really quite the ensemble...  Tutu, cowboy boots, and all.  Yee haw!

 But good for them, right?  Because this rodeo is a cancer-fighting fund-raiser.  For which kind of cancer?  Gee, how'd you guess?!  Our world is full of pink ribbons these days, isn't it?  It's not that I'm against fighting breast cancer - I just wonder how much fame and fortune those other cancers (esp. those affecting men, like prostate cancer, which is an almost equally deadly disease in numbers afflicted and death rates) receive?  Actually, I can tell you - MUCH less!  So maybe it's (past) time for a Tough Enough to Wear Brown/Black/Grey rodeo!?!

 But you do have to admire these signature stylings!

 Rooting on the band...

Love it.  Quintessential country town. 

 Some folks really flip for this event (ugh, sorry...couldn't help it)

Did you notice that some of these gals are doing all this in flip-flops?!  Barefoot, I get.  But in flip-flops?  Nah!

 Like this limo!  And their mascot!!

 Crystal Gayle tail!

 I can't tell you what this was about - would have to kill you afterwards, since it would give away the name of this awesome town!!
(and for those of you who know it, sssshhh!  Don't tell!  Don't give away the secret!  Too many of these wonderful towns have been lost already)

 Wow.  

Maybe their horses went on without them...??  (could you blame them?  just kidding...?)

 Kids running out for candy and toys that some of the parade people toss out (something else that would surely be illegal in good ol' Cali...!  Anymore, it's only illegal stuff that is legal in my home state!!!)

 He is a REALLY young republican!

Yup, show's over folks.

Seems an appropriate ending, given the parade potential for horse cookies, cow pies, piggy pellets, and sheep sh*#...!