As the song says, “Don’t call him a cowboy until you’ve seen him ride.”   So, how can you claim to be a Texas until you’ve been to a Rodeo? We have a friend who is from Texas. Now this is distinct and separate from being a Texan. He grew up in Texas and even owned horses at one point.  But. . . I found out he had NEVER been to a Rodeo! Of course I had mercy on him, never teased him, or introduced him as, “my friend from Texas who has never been to a rodeo.”  As circumstance would have it we met he and his wife (otherwise a really nice person) in Custer, SD for a three week visit. They are fulltime RVers and we’re fulltime wannabes.  In RVing from Custer to Texas we found out that the NE State Association Rodeo Finals were taking place about the time we’re making our way thru the state. So North Platte, NE, here we come – -Rodeo and all.

After dragging them to the arena we began having second thoughts. After all the teasing, planning and scheduling, would he like it or think it was the most boring event he had ever attended? Well, one thing about Mike, you don’t have to worry about where he stands.  Turns out he liked it and would go again, we only hope he gets to one in Texas.

To be sure, this was not a “Grand Rodeo” with a band and large crowds, but it was as good as they get. It was a down home rodeo with all the events that make for an entertaining rodeo including the final two, The Wild Pony Races. Our favorite was the younger kids age 8 to 14. This could possibly be a destination next year.