Rain, Bulls, and Burgers: A Rodeo Day Served with a Side of Underwear Fireworks

The rain started around 6 AM, but by 8 o’clock it was coming down so hard you couldn’t even see across the baseball field behind us—half an inch in just half an hour.

We all stayed cozy in the trailer, enjoying coffee and visiting while the downpour drummed on the roof. After S was off to the morning meeting, Corey headed for a shower while Danielle and I lingered over a second cup. Brittany kindly offered to keep Harley for another night—perfect for this damp weather. She was out at the ranch tending to Roo’s abscess, which had finally burst, and she picked up raw food for Harley’s 2nd sleepover.

city driver in training XOXO

this was taken yesterday, this cute top was worn by Brittany and Stephanie as wee ones XOXO

Around 11, after Sheldon returned from his morning meeting, he and Corey made a quick trip to the ranch for rubber boots, bread, peanut butter, jelly, and—of all things—a pizza. Apparently, we’d barely had a tenth of the rain out there. On their way back, they stopped at Opa’s to pick brunch, which we happily enjoyed back in the trailer. Thank you Corey!

By then, the rain had let up and, in true rodeo style, everything was suddenly full speed ahead. Corey and Danielle opted for a nap after a short wander through the soggy grounds, while Sheldon and I headed off for our gate duties around 12:30. The afternoon turned out surprisingly lovely, with the rodeo running smoothly—right down to a hilarious fake “presentation” they claimed was for Sheldon, only to blindside Donnie Johanson instead.

Afterward, we popped back to the trailer for a quick beer, then all loaded up for Running with the Bulls. Tonight went much better—braver contestants and a new release plan for the bulls left Sheldon far happier than the night before. 

Corey caught this footage of the winner

We wrapped up quickly, and I ran Corey and Danielle back to the trailer in the ranger so they could jet off to Arnold’s. Then I returned to sit at the backstretch gate with Sheldon & Mel, cooler of beverages in tow.

Tonight our duties at the back gate were to drive along the track edge and put cones back up as the track was so wet and gummy. Some adults and kids needed a scolding for hanging on the rail if you can believe it. We also picked up sucked off horseshoes and threw over the fence like below or collected in the ranger. This was a full time job for S and I.

running with the chucks :)

When it was over, we headed back for a late supper—Sheldon grilled burgers, and I piled them high with veggies and fresh sprouts for something (semi) healthy. He took off to join the party crowd while I happily settled in with my Netflix shows. I was in bed by nine.

Sheldon returned just before 11, in time to watch the fireworks from outside the trailer—now in his underwear, of course. I peeked out the window to catch the display, which was a good one. Two minutes later he was asleep, and I went back to watching my show in bed.