Welcome to the West - Stock Show Style

After my ridiculously long rant, I felt that it was time to return to the roots of this blog and discuss some of the differences and changes I’ve experienced since arriving in Denver. Additionally, I promise to keep this one much more brief than usual.

This past Saturday, my sister (Kate) and brother-in-law (Jeremy) invited my girlfriend (Lauren) and I to go to a rodeo. They had never been to one and were asked to go by another couple we’re friends with…so as a spur the moment thing, we went. At first I was reluctant because frankly, I was more interested in watching the Eagles vs. Saints playoff game.

But away we went to the National Western Stock Show. It was a cold night, roughly 1-2 below zero (luckily the show was inside)…but the fun excitement of attending a full-fledged rodeo was more than enough to keep us warm. My sister leant Lauren and I a couple cowboy hats so we could “try” to blend in. We hopped on the shuttle after parking and soon we were inside the manure-filled arena.

After the initial shock of seeing cowboy hats everywhere, calves being tackled by grown men and little kids (maybe 6 to 7 years old, TOPS) riding mutton, I started to have a blast. WHAT an experience. We got to see it all; lassoing, bullriding, stunts…you name it. It was such a fun time and it made me start to wonder why the east coast never has any rodeos.

I guess I should be more exact and say that I’m not aware of any MAJOR rodeos or Stock Shows that take place north of Washington, D.C. But I think that there really should be. It’s a great, fun way to spend an evening (as long as you can stomach a few borderline cruel animal treatments). Seriously though, the east coast should certainly look into this, it’s worth it and everyone seems to have a good time.

So there ya have it. Yours truly, the most east coast of east coast kids you can get, absolutely enjoyed himself a rodeo. And hey, it sure looks like these cowboys “get” the east coast.

Here’s to you, National Western Stock Show…thanks for opening my eyes to a terrific new experience!

~ by eastcoastboy on January 16, 2007.