rodeo | BirkeyBlog

My family and I went to a real rodeo while we were in Steamboat Springs, Colorado in mid-August. We watched bucking broncos, bull riding, barrel racing, rodeo clowns and a number of other events in a family-friendly atmosphere. It was delayed a bit due to a rain shower passing through!

One the most memorable things about this event was how they started it. Think about how often at events like football and baseball games, you will hear the announcer telling the crown to stand, remove hats to show honor and respect for the American flag.

This was completely unnecessary here! A young woman on horseback started to ride into the arena with an American flag. Everyone stood immediately. Men removed hats, hands went to hearts, conversations stopped, children quieted down. Silence reigned as the flag was slowly circled in the arena, and came to a stop in from of the grandstand. The announcer commented on how he had not needed to tell us what to do! He made some heart felt comments about our nation, and the men and women serving in the armed forces. We sang the national anthem together. The young woman on horseback then took that flag around the arena at a very fast pace – it was a very inspiring and heart warming sight! We cheered and made a lot of noise!

I will never forget that moment and the feeling of pride I had, to be an American. I was also so thankful that this spontaneous display of national unity and pride is still reflective of most of America, outside of the Peoples Republic of Oak Park, Illinois!

Today was our first full day of physical labor! I ended up working on a septic drainage pipe trench digging crew with Bob Boerman, Stewart Nelson, Ken Kool (Karen Edwards’ brother) and our foreman, Ken. We figured that we dug a ditch about 80 feet long by one foot wide and 3 feet deep. By my calculations we moved 9 cubic yards of earth!

BULL FIGHTS!
After our “Crew Meeting,” we went to a local version of a bull fight. The Tico’s had constructed something like a small town fair that I remember from growing up in Fisher, Illinois. In one area of the carnival was a large round structure… obviously temporarily built. We entered and went up the rickety, creaky stairs, and walked along planks we were not sure would hold us! After finding our seats, and watching the pre-show warm-ups, they released a bull into the center ring. Several “clowns” flashed the red capes to attract attention and the bull charged.

The whole idea seemed to be to antagonize and frustrate the bull, and gain much hilarious entertainment in the process. Men and boys from the audience would also climb over the protective railings and either enter the ring with the clowns, or hang on the edges to kick and worry the bull as he came by. The more drinking went on the more daring the men became.

All in all it was entertaining – especially when two of our “crew” jumped in as well! Mike (yellow) and Eddie (red) performed admirably, avoiding the charges of several bulls. They did look quite funny running away and hiding behind protective fencing!

THREE AMIGOS
Three of us went across the street to a local pub after we returned from the bull fights. The place was very busy and loud! A couple Tico’s recognized Mike as one of the Gringo’s who had been in the bull ring! It was fun to get to know Pat and Mike a bit more. We talked about our spiritual journeys, how we met our wives, about divorce and remarriage issues, as well as the good things God had done in our lives in spite of our immaturity and mistakes. It was a great way to end a long hard work day.

I went to bed very tired, with my hands and wrists in tingling pain from the workout they received during the day.