If you were on Twitter a couple of weekends ago then you already know that I took Dude #2 on an all American adventure to the rodeo!
It’s a local rodeo.
Because I really do live out in the country where rodeo’s can be found with ease.
Although I live in close proximity to the second largest city in the state of Maryland, the county itself is still quite rural and numerous cowboys and cowboy sympathizers make their home here.
As a matter of fact, I pass at least 4 farms just to get to my own house, no matter which road we take.
So, I decided that this Dumb Family should embrace the cowboy culture just a little bit more.
Okay, so I’m totally lying.
Had to go out to the farm to write about it for FiND iT FREDERiCK (my employer), but I took Dude #2 along for the ride because he’s already a cowboy in his heart.
Remember these?
Of course you don’t.
Because when these were posted, over a year ago, you weren’t reading the Dumb Family Chronicles.
No one was. Well, Mimi and BFF were, but that’s pretty much it and they hardly even count.
Anyway, point is, I figured Dude #2 would enjoy this event while Dude #1 would cry about having to go and #3 would probably wind up booty-butt naked streaking across the arena screaming, “I’M GONNA GET CHU BULL!”.
Like pretty much always, I was right.
#2 had a blast (he actually said he’d like to try mutton bustin’* and luckily I was able to put him off until “next time” which is 100% not ever gonna happen now).
And, honestly, so did I.
Because cowboys are smokin’ hot balls of swagger-liciousness rodeos are exciting!
The bulls are bucking and charging and gettin’ all worked up.
There were specific moments that I feared for my life.
Like literally feared.
And, I’m SO not an adrenaline junkie, but even when this happened…
I was on the edge of my seat gripping #2’s hand and formulating a getaway plan with excitement.
And, when they were finally able to wrench it’s leg from the gate and free it, that thing was pissed!
Like fence charging, human impaling, pissed.
People were running. And screaming. And acting like lunatics.
And then.
It was over.
And that’s when the real fun started…
But it did come close a couple of times for me.
I was brave though, totally lying I actually ran away from the fence yelling, “EVERY MAN FOR HIMSELF!” as I hurled myself under the bleachers, so brave.**
*Mutton bustin’ for those of you city people like myself who need Goggle to explain this to you is when cowboys dump their baby wannabe-cowboy-or-cowgirl on the back of this big sheep and let them hang onto their necks for dear life while the thing runs crazy around the arena. It only lasts for like 5 seconds, but it’s Kee-RAZY and #2 is NOT doing it.
**In my defense that big butt mindless killing machine was running right for me where I was posted on the fence taking pictures. And, I wasn’t the only one afraid. The effing bull clown (whose job is bull distracting or something) jumped over the fence over my head. So I was brave. Totally.
{ 37 comments… read them below or add one }
LOL, oh my! That must have been so scary up close!!!!
Nah! I’m brave, remember? Totally not scared of humongous, four-legged, killing machines!
great pics…
i always said i wanted to go to a rodeo someday…
You took some really awesome shots of the rodeo! I bet my boys would love it too!
Thanks! Being “press” gets you good seats:). Which mean you don’t get a seat at all but you can stand all up on the gate in the danger zone all you want!
You got some AWESOME shots! WAy to go! I have always wanted to go to a rodeo but the weekend it is here, locally, something always seems to be in the way of attending. One day!
It’s SO worth it. I had no idea how entertained it was going to keep me.
Best rodeo pictures I have EVER seen. Hands down.
I love your way with words and the way you tell a story. Love.
Well thank you kindly, Miss. Practicing my cowboy speak for when I go back.
Awesome pics!! I was going to ask where the clown was. I always like watching them, but over your head? Yikes!!
best rodeo pictures ever and looks like a blast.
What fun pics. Look like an exciting day. You captured it well. Happy WW! Drop by and link up at http://weloveiowa.blogspot.com/2010/06/not-so-wordless-wednesday-diy-4th-of.html
Oh let him ride the sheep. It isn’t like it’s a bull. (says the girl from Texas that has known actual bull riders) 8 Seconds is one of my all time favorite movies.
You durn Texans! You didn’t see the way this little girl got flipped off her little trotter. Thought she snapped her arm in two she bounced so hard. And then the dang thing stepped on her. She’s a trooper though (or she was in shock) because she didn’t even cry. #2 would have lost his mind and tried to kick the sheep in two. Woulda been our first and our last rodeo!
Great photographs. I love his cowboy boots!
Thanks so much for linking up!
Wow! Just wow. What fun this was. I would have been totally scared for that bull.
I was. And, it was actually sad because he got hurt pretty badly by getting his foot caught in there. The cowboys worked really hard and remarkably fast to free him, but he was clearly hurt anyway. Not sure he’s still around actually.
What a beautiful pic of #2 looking through the panel.
Thanks. He was surprised at how much fun he had I think.
they are exciting to watch! I grew up in rural IA and saw these all the time as a child! I should look for one for my kids!
SO fun! I haven’t been to a rodeo since I was a kid. Hmm I should remedy that.
Amazing pictures from the rodeo!
That looks like so much fun!! And I LOVE the cowboy boots! So cool.
thats some great pictures, I wish they had rodeo’s in my home town.
how fun! wrangler butts drive me nuts!! and holy crap that bull must have been TICKED!! you were totally brave! i’d have been hiding out at the nearest snack stand!
Yeah, I hit the snack stand pretty hard before the bull stuff even started. So hard in fact that the nachos and fries and hot dog may have slowed my escape time down a bit. I was still stupid fast though.
Wow what fun y’all had, even if the bull was trying to get in some action there.
Bull action is good action in this case. I think?
Wow, those are some pretty amazing pics! I have not been to the rodeo in forever.
Nice, I remember the rodeo my dad took me to, but mostly because some cowboy got kicked in the head by his bucking bronco and I knew it was baaad. But it was sweet cause I was a young cowgirl at heart too and daddy’s girl. So I bet you made some nice memories…
Those pictures are seriously amazing and the kids are out of hand adorable. I have never seen a bull-rider wear a helmet– that is such a good thing : )
What fun! The county fair where I grew up had mutton busting and B told me he was going to it when he was 4 or 5. I told him I did not think so. You have to admit the little kids are incredibly cute doing it though!
I thought is looked crazy. They get all hunched over and hold on for dear life. Doesn’t look like a bit of fun. But, for whatever reason kids LOVE it. They clearly don’t think sheep stink the way I do.
What great pictures. Love the one of your son looking through the fence!
Sorry I’m so late in getting around to visiting those that signed my linky last week. Busy summer I guess.
WOW! Wish I had stopped by last week. I just love your post and all of your pictures. You will appreciate (I hope) my post tomorrow.
Wow those are some amaxing pictures! My favortie picture is the one right after – And that’s when the real fun started… What kind of camera are you using??
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