Pony Up

On Sunday, Kathryn and I, with the inclusion of my cousin, decided to go to the fair again! It was rodeo time! Kathryn stated, "I haven't been to a good rodeo yet this year." To which I said, "I haven't been to a good rodeo ever." And my cousin Val replied, "I haven't been to a good rodeo sober." Oh the differences between Montana and Illinois. :) So we packed up and headed out to round two of the State Fair. Now, I realize the rodeo is supposed to display skill, but I will display the nitty gritty.

Here are some of the bull riders. Cream of the crop.

Boom, boom....clap. 

Get this man a shot of whiskey with a side of pride. 

Perhaps the belt buckle weighed him down a bit. 

Now the bull did not crush him but it was close. This cowboy definitely knew the tuck and roll technique and thank goodness he did! 

But it wasn't all an epic fail. I did get to see Black Beauty. 

And....my team! 

After the rodeo (and one large bag of kettle corn later), we stumbled upon hula-hoop girl. She was actually quite amazing! I unfortunately caught this little clip of her but I swear she was working up a sweat. 

Let me set the stage. She was hula-hooping on top of a cookie stand named I believe hula-hoop cookies. It was hot this day and she was working that thing in ways I have never seen! Now if you all remember, I am quite impressed with people who can shake their hips because apparently I am one rotation and done. 

After stuffing our faces with cookies, we went to watch the Shanghai Acrobats...meaning they don't have an ounce of fat on them. Pure muscle. It is pretty ridiculous and it made us wish we didn't gorge on cookies, salmon/reindeer sausage quesadillas, ice cream, cream puffs, pizza, and yes the large bag of popcorn. 

Fun with hats!

Brick master!

Incredible!!

Now this guy (without a jumping aid) somehow jumped through those hoops. *Disclaimer: The pictures are in the correct order. Check it. 

I was very sad to leave the fair. I wish I could express the beauty that surrounded the grounds. Yes, around the grounds, in the grounds not so much. Oh we even had a fair scavenger hunt! The list included: People praying over food; children over the age of 7 being pulled in a radio flyer; 3 things that looked like vomit but were not; 3 actual vomit piles; someone using something other than a bathroom as a bathroom; a shirt that is comparable to a sausage casing; and yes the list goes on. We found a good portion of them multiple times over. 

So we said goodbye to the fair and the beautiful Sunday! 

The only thing I was somewhat disappointed about with the fair was the stamina of the cowboys on the bulls. Now I have been bull riding and believe me, I lasted longer than 8 seconds. Take that how you will but the proof is here. 

I didn't even have on a big old belt buckle...which as will be explained later, was described to Kathryn and I as "a tombstone for a dead pecker." That might explain it.