River Ride - Mechanical Bull

Today was a whirlwind of activity. It rained over night but there was no standing water or mud pit, but you could tell it did rain. Martin had been concerned about the electrical outlet getting wet, so he wrapped a black trash bag around the outlet, duct taped it together. It rained, heavy at times, starting about 1:00 a.m., really letting loose around 4:00 a.m. The rain hitting the metal roof, not 2 feet over my head, was deafening. The dogs and cat slept through it all. I felt for my boys, high-lined in the rain, but they were dry when I finally got out at day break.

Breakfast was fantastic - they really know how to hurt a girl! French toast, fresh melons, hash browns, coffee. O boy. We had to hurry to get our lunch together, situate April, Max and Irene. We opted to ACE Max, too. Hurry to tack up and join the group for a 9:00 a.m. ride-out. We rode out of camp, past the arena, to the Clarion River and made the big loop, going down the same hill that previously last year we had gone up. The same hill that was so long and steep that my ears popped half-way. It didn't matter going up or down, this hill was hard. At the bottom I had to readjust the saddle; I was riding on his neck.

We reached the Heiland Store - I enjoyed an ice-cold Sarsaparilla - and opted to take the trailer back. This saved over an hour of riding back to camp. A few others decided to ride, but I didn't want to wear KC out on the first day. He and Skip willingly jumped into the stock trailer.

After dinner a Mechanical Bull was set up in front of the Mess Hall. I brought a lawn chair and joined some campers for that night's event. It's been a long time since I laughed so hard, for so long. A 3-year old (toddler) was a real cowboy. His performance encouraged so many others to try their skills at the Bull. There was plenty of 'practice' before the real competition started. Some kids and adults showed real aptitude on this machine. I was really impressed and seriously entertained.

It was also great to be included with John Lyons, Josh, his son, and two of his grandkids: Austin and Ryder. Tommy Turvey was the MC, with running commentary from Josh. Austin was the only Lyons kin to participate in the Bull Riding. Also participating were two genuine professional bull riders, the three Amish sisters, a pregnant woman,and plenty of wanna-be-cowboys and cowgirls from across the country and beyond. In the end the three winners of the final go-round were, in order, a professional bull rider; the youngest Amish sister, Evie; and the other professional bull rider.