National Western Stock Show

One of our favorite events of the year is the National Western Stock Show.... last night it was 6 degrees F when we arrived and -1F when we left, but inside with all that methane gas, dirt and coors light swirling around, it was toasty. We started out of course in the Hall of Crap where every little booth is selling either embroidered socks, coonskin caps, rawhide sofa's, the Amazing Salad Mixer's or this: the Max Turbo High Performance Slimming Belt - not sure what happens when skinny people like those on the poster wear it... does it just keep slimming till their anorexic?














When we'd had enough of the Western wracket, we ran across the frozen parking lot through the food booths selling fake ice cream (Dots), beer, huge turkey legs, nachos, foot long brats (hmmm. wonder what happens when you wear the Max Turbo Slimming Belt while eating a huge brat and nawing on a giant turkey leg - do you still slim down?














We ended up downstairs in the Hall of Education where we saw this guy and his competition showing off their prized beef... 4H seems like such a great idea - "learn to love your food while she's alive so that you can really appreciate her when she's your burger for dinner".














These two bulls were just hanging out (I thought about adding a picture of the 'hanging out' but decided it just wasn't appropriate). As you see on the sign above the bulls noses: "Semen Packages Available" - its like we were walking through a whore house!

When 7 pm came around we were snug in our little 'obstructed view' seats on the front row - which you think would be great right? But the railing did indeed 'obstruct' our view. That's alright, this was the fun part (and the fact that spilled beer from the guy behind me kept inching forward under my seat didn't deter me from cheering). With our hot pretzels, the show was on! The Grand Prix (and the whole reason we went to the Stock Show) offers $40,000 in prizes and draws some top riders. Its exciting and suspenseful to watch the jumping and the horses are gorgeous. In the end it came down to a 39 second time from the last contestant that won the competition.

The Grand Prix was fun, but Suzanne promises me more 'English' events this summer where gentlemen and ladies roll up in $80,000 Land Rovers, walk around in tight white breaches and drink tea and wine. I don't know... will I be able to buy a replacement for my Slimming Belt?