Nevada here we come!

As much as we'd enjoyed camping by Mono lake the stiff winds, and the fact that we were running low on water (and coffee, and beer) inspired us to move on to our friends' place in Gardnerville a couple of days earlier than planned. As soon as we had settled in and had the RV set up the partying began.

Travis and Kim

Friday night our hosts’ son and daughter-in- law invited us to share their box at the Reno rodeo. It’s referred to as “the richest rodeo,” as there are large prizes for the contestants. 

Hundreds of vendors offer every western related item imaginable, from blingy cowboy belts and handbags, saddles, tack, and all kinds of food, to posters and framed art. We didn't have much time to shop, so came home with no bling - hard to believe!

Kim's Port'O Subs business is a sponsor of the Rodeo, so this is an annual event for the family and we were happy to be included this year. We started out in the large sponsors’ tent with a really nice BBQ buffet. We’d just settled down to tuck in to plates of brisket and potato salad when a loud, windy rainstorm hit. The wind flapped the tent sides and roof as rain pounded on the canvas and gushed down the metal tent supports. As we munched we watched huge puddles form on the ground around us. 

Fortunately the tent was erected on an asphalt surface, so no mud, until we exited through the livestock stalls. Fortunately the storm passed quickly and the rodeo went on as planned, with only a few cowboys having to draw a second ride when their mounts slipped as a result of the mud in the arena.  

The evening closed with a fantastic sunset over the arena, and as the darkness settled in the final act was a showing of all the rodeo horses in-training. The Flying U Rodeo Company provides the stock and this is part of the training for the young ones. The crowd applauded and cheered and you could tell the colts and young horses were enjoying all the attention by the way they pranced and tossed their heads. 

Everyone had a great time, as the rodeo has something for everyone. The Mutton Busting event was hilarious - I've never seen such wooly sheep! The kids only stayed on a few seconds, but you could tell they felt very accomplished! The clown, JJ Harrison, was great, as was the announcer, Bob Tallman. Of course, the cowboys, and girls, get most of the credit for an amazing athletic competition.
 
Some folks stayed behind to visit with the cowboys and get signatures of the rodeo queen (Austin's been collecting them on his hat) and chat with the cowboys. We headed for home early as we had an hour’s drive and we’re still running on Texas time.

Saturday we attended a surprise birthday party dinner for a friend. Beth, who owns Fabric Chicks quilt shop, was surprised indeed, as her birthday isn’t for several weeks yet.  Happy 40^th Beth!

Sunday we were back in Reno picking up Skot, Kendra and Jax who flew in from Texas for the BBQ.

With the rodeo and party behind us we began setting up for the big day, the annual reunion and BBQ on the fourth. Putting up lights and other decorations, planning the side dishes, prepping the smoker, and a bit of visiting with friends and neighbors along the way.

Sunset over the rodeo

Just a few more rodeo photos in the album.