Third and Final Day of Family Vacation

 Wednesday was our last full day of family vacation at Hart Ranch We started the day with some miniature golf, the youngest Es and the oldest Es playing 18 holes. Two of the Es enjoyed time on the pickle ball court.

M was a very good putter

making the shot more often than not

then more time in the pool after lunch

eating walking tacos before the rodeo

Miss W with her hat and boots

Each Wednesday evening July through mid-August Hart Ranch hosts a rodeo for resort guests, area folks from the Black Hills and surrounding states. Cowboys and girls come from MT, ND, NE, WY and SD to gain experience and maybe take home some money. Often their fans are in the audience.

It has been a few years since we were here during the rodeo season. (This is the last time.) So there have been some additions and changes. A mechanical bull ride for kids was set up behind the grandstand. I was surprised when both grands wanted to try it. I was especially surprised with M chose to go first.

The bull ride operator was very kind to young first time riders...slow and easy for the 8 seconds.

Miss W "I'm ready!"

going, going...

recovery! 

her legs are longer, so she could grip and stay on for the 8 seconds

notice the green of the pasture hills in mid-July

I told Miss W that I usually took photos of butts and boots at the rodeos and posted the pics on my blog. Her reply, "That's gross, Grandma!" So I explained how cowboys often look mighty fine in a pair of jeans and how the different types of boots were interesting and colorful. She wasn't buying any of it. She still thought grandma was gross! I told her I thought it was very awesome she felt it was gross to see the butt of a guy in tight fitting jeans. I wonder when that will change? Hopefully not for a few years at least!

bareback bronc

saddle bronc

Another addition since the last rodeo we attended was the encouragement of chairs and viewing the rodeo from the grass and not the bleachers. The large tent had lots of food and drink options, both of which could also be brought into the rodeo by the fans.

barrel racing

There had been a good inch of rain on Tuesday night, so the rodeo ground in the ring was very muddy. Most of the barrel racers were very cautious, not wanting their horses to slip in the mud and get injured.

sun setting behind one of the hills

This bull from the first ride did not want to leave the arena. The pick-up men roped him and had to drag him to the exit gate area. At one point the bull just sat down in the mud. He was finally removed so the other bull riders could attempt their 8 second ride.

only two cowboys made it to the 8 second buzzer 

while still on the back of the bull

We were hoping our relative, the rodeo clown would be entertaining us that evening, but this was not his week. That was a disappointment for Hubby and the grands, as they remembered the last HR rodeo. (see link above) 

Overall, it was a good evening, enjoyed by all of us. No animals were hurt. No cowboys were hurt beyond the usual aches and pains of being ejected from their mount. A great way to end a family vacation in the Black Hills.