35 Degrees, Running With The Bulls & Running On Empty

Saturday came early, and surprisingly, Sheldon claimed to feel just fine. :) Apparently the lack of sleep hadn't caught up with him yet. He headed off to the production meeting while Shaina and Matt made a quick run to the ranch to shower and squeeze in a little more sleep.

Renn's baby and trying out her new goggles

By noon, we were off to our rodeo gate duties, and Mother Nature decided to turn up the heat. The thermometer hit 35°C, making it the hottest day of the year so far—and there wasn't a speck of shade at our spot. It was going to be a long afternoon.

This is Lennix Girletz, darn the luck

As well as Edgar Durazo getting bucked off again, maybe I am bad luck for him :)

Shaina and Matt made it back in time to catch some of the rodeo from the rush seating before joining us right at the end as we transitioned into the first night of Running with the Bulls.

Unbanding the new panels

We made a quick stop at the trailer for a much-needed refreshment before heading back to the infield, where S gave the big speech and got all the volunteers lined up and on the same page.

Tonight marked Year 23 of Running with the Bulls, and it was every bit as chaotic and wild as you'd expect. There was plenty of mayhem, and unfortunately, one participant ended up with a broken femur. It's always a reminder that beneath all the excitement and spectacle, this event comes with some very real risks. But seems many risk it for the fancy buckle and the $1000.

Darren's video of the broken leg guy from his panel perch view

Instagram footage of todays events, watch to the end for more bull crashes

Darren and Sharon volunteered this year, Shannon and her boyfriend Tanner were also helping out tonight. After Heat 3, Darren and Sharon headed home, while the rest of us went back to the trailer for a bit.

Shaina and Matt had helped with the mutton busting before heading off to find some food before meeting us at camp. B, who had spent most of the day in bed recovering from the previous night's late night, headed off to feed the horses.

 Harley listening to the chucks running by

Once B had fed the horses and grabbed something to eat herself, she was back and feeling up for a little more fun. She headed over to Amber and Grady's campsite for a visit while the rest of us settled back into the evening.

Our neighbour Brian came through like a campground hero, bringing food back from the directors' booth. It was delicious and exactly what everyone needed after such a hot, exhausting day. He also brought out the fire pit, and before long people were gathering around it, visiting and unwinding.

Eventually, a carload headed off to the Origins party. A little later, I drove Shaina, Matt, Shannon, and Tanner over before returning to the now-quiet fire.

Shaina FaceTimed back at 12 midnight to wish her Dad a happy birthday!

S called it a night first, heading inside for a shower, while I stayed out a little longer visiting with Brian. I finally called it a night around 1 a.m.

Shaina and Matt weren't far behind, but once they returned, they sat outside visiting for a while before finally ending their very busy Saturday.

Another rodeo day in the books—35°C, hours on our feet, volunteers everywhere, bulls running, people laughing, injuries, food, fires, and friends. Exhausting? Absolutely. But there's something about these rodeo weekends that keeps us coming back year after year.

Friday Busy Day

Friday was shaping up to be yet another 30°C day, but coffee got us moving and there wasn't much time to think about the heat. I jetted off after 9 while S headed to a production meeting. My morning had a few errands of its own—I stopped at Britt's to pick up a top she wanted sewn, made a Walmart stop, and then treated myself to getting my nails chromed.

I picked S up at the campground and we hustled back to the ranch because, of course, there were things we'd forgotten. We grabbed the list of necessities, sewed up the shirt, tossed hay to the diet pen, took Jimmy's blanket off, and raced back to the rodeo.

There was barely time for a quick change before we were over to the infield, where our work began and continued for the next four hours. Rodeo days have a way of turning into a blur of people, jobs, all mixed with dust and heat.

trick riding

This is our arena perspective from our gate task.

We met Kaylin back at the trailer with the pups she'd brought along for their vet appointments. There were a few other visitors around too, and S cooked burgers for supper before we wandered back over to catch some more of the chuckwagons after Kaylin headed home.

Shaina and Matt arrived around 7, so we hopped in the Ranger, went back to pick them up, and headed over to the races again. Matt got his own up-close-and-personal chuckwagon experience, which is probably the best way to take in the action.

between each 3 heats they had heavy horses harrow the arena

our usual seats at the calf chutes view

Back at the trailer, it was the hub for the next while, with B joining us and everyone playing cards before we headed over to the concert. Unfortunately, by the time we arrived, the gates had closed and we were initially told we weren't getting through.

S was pretty ticked off and immediately started making calls. Luckily, being the VP of the rodeo committee means he has the right numbers, and he was able to get someone there to let us—and the others waiting with us—through the now-closed gates.

Once inside, we settled in and enjoyed a good concert before the three young adults caught the shuttle over to the Origins party around 11 while S and I stayed around the campground visiting with friends.

Sheldon felt a beer was needed in the photo

Eventually, I called it a night and headed to bed. S was escorted home awhile afterward and may have undressed outside before making a hot dog with sauerkraut! S and M rolled in before 2:30, landing on the couch for the night after B was dropped at her place.

And just like that, another rodeo day was done.

Hot, busy, loud, slightly chaotic, and lots of laughs. Pretty much exactly the sort of night you expect during rodeo season.

Start To A Long Long Weekend

It was a restless night for me, so when S popped out of bed just before 8 and headed for the hot tub, I was feeling a little blurry-eyed. I did join him for a quick soak before making him a go-cup of coffee and sending him off to the rodeo grounds before 8:30.

I made my own coffee and settled in to work on yesterday's blog before jumping in the shower. Once dressed, I headed outside to toss hay to the dieters and water all my pots and tomatoes.

Then it was workout time. Definitely out of order from my usual routine, but at least I got it done! Once I finished, I finally wrapped up and published yesterday's blog.

S returned from his morning of rodeo duties and we loaded Harley and a few more things into the vehicle before heading back to the campground. There were neighbors to visit and more rodeo tasks for S to take care of, so we had a busy afternoon before running over to the Paetz's.

Mom had left Dad's buckles for everyone to choose from, and I was excited to pick one to wear to the Stampede. I love that these little pieces carry so much history with them, and it will be special to have Dad with me in a small way. Thanks, Mom. ❤️

We enjoyed a few beverages and some visiting before heading back toward the campground, stopping for Subway along the way.

B sent this cute photo of Mac and Hank sharing supper

Renn's new unwind for bed dance :)

The evening unfolded pretty much as it always does during rodeo season. There is visiting, laughing, people wandering between campsites, and the propane fire burning as the night settles in. I eventually headed inside early, leaving Brian—our usual neighbour and co-gate worker— and Sheldon to visit around the propane fire.

Rodeo season has its own rhythm, and once we're in it, the days seem to blur together. Long days, familiar faces, campground evenings, and a little bit of family history worn on my belt buckle—it will be a busy next for or five days.

Heatwaves, Hat Shopping & Golden Hour Moments

The day was underway shortly after 7, with S outside watering the little evergreens to the south, coffee in hand. He bustled around gathering the last few things for the trailer, including a freshly cut watermelon. I made my coffee, doctored Harley's chin and eye, then headed out to toss hay to the diet pen crew. They are clearly enjoying their new shelter, and I actually startled them when I walked over to check on them.

Yesterday was Stella's sixth birthday. She may be a high-preservation cat, but she still has many years of service ahead of her if she hopes to rival Mr. Jenkins and his impressive tenure on the ranch.

S left for town with the trailer before 9, determined not to lose his spot at the campground. Meanwhile, I put on my accounting hat for the morning, finalizing B's loan paperwork and balancing accounts. I also finished and published yesterday's blog before getting ready for our trip to the city after letting the chubs out.

B arrived around 11 to pick us up with S arriving back from town just before her. Her mission for the day was simple: find a new felt hat for rodeo season.

On the drive, S informed us there had been a dead, dehydrated mouse in one of the trailer traps—not exactly the sort of campground discovery anyone hopes for. Once we arrived at Smithbilt Hats, B was disappointed to discover the color she had her heart set on started at $800. Needless to say, that option was quickly crossed off the list. S, however, spent some time browsing, found one he liked, had it shaped, and before long we were headed back to the ranch, arriving shortly after 1:30. B quickly jetted back to town for her 2 p.m. appointment.

before and after shaping

Lunch was a bowl of homemade soup before S loaded the Ranger onto the trailer and headed back to town for his second trip of the day. I opted to stay home, spending some quiet time reading. At one point, I took my book and a cold drink out to the deck to watch the horses peacefully grazing while Harley kept me company at my feet.

Inside, the robot vacuum was attempting to do its job but once again developed a case of the "spaghetti patterns." After multiple rounds of troubleshooting, resets, and remapping, it finally gave up entirely with a dead battery. The battle between technology and this household continues.

see bathroom, nice and straight and bedroom all over

B returned around 7:30, caught Roo, and headed off for a ride despite the lingering 28°C heat. This heatwave is expected to stick around until Saturday, with temperatures forecast to climb to 32°C.

S made it back from the campground after 8, having spent the afternoon visiting with friends. Meanwhile, I had already caught Hank—which, surprisingly, happened on the first try—and put him back in the diet pen before helping myself to a fresh pea feed from the garden.

After her golden hour ride, B fed the ponies. I helped her put Jimmy's bug sheet on, and she, in turn, helped shave Harley's hot spot on her chin after we cleaned it up. I applied more steroid cream and gave Harley her 4CYTE. The bottle is nearly empty now, and unfortunately, I haven't noticed much improvement. Perhaps a visit to the chiropractor is in her future.

With the chores finished and B heading home, S wandered out to the pea patch before settling into the hot tub. I spent the evening watching Elle before switching over to Little House on the Prairie once he came back inside—although he didn't make it very far before falling asleep.

Summer seems to have settled in with a vengeance this July. The days are hot, the gardens are producing, the horses are content in their new shelter, and Harley continues to remind me that growing older brings its own set of challenges. Still, these ordinary days—filled with errands, animals, and evening rides—are often the ones worth remembering most.