After checking into our hotel & picking up my race packet at the expo, hubby realize the National Finals Rodeo was in town too. Since we grew up on the Rodeo in Houston, we couldn’t pass up the chance to see the “world series of rodeo” and watch the best cowboys in the world. At the convention center, near the race expo, was a Cowboy Christmas where they had tons of vendors selling every cowboy/country/farming gift and accessory you could think of- we enjoyed spending 30 minutes strolling the aisles- it was like taking a tour in a foreign country, I could hardly recognize some of the horse tack or riding gear.
A quick chat with our concierge & we’d obtained a pair of tickets for the evening. Hopped in a cab & showed up about half way through the night’s festivities. This was only the first weekend & the final round of the NFR was the next weekend.
The arena was small compared to Reliant, but every seat in the house was filled. We literally sat about 5 rows from the top, but still had a great view.
The Houston Rodeo is all about big and flashy- top name entertainers, extensive social scene, tons of extra events and parties, the livestock show to raise money for kids. The NFR was about 1 thing- rodeo! No big fancy shows or fireworks, no cutsy kid stuff- just cowboys and cowgirls competing to win the world title. It was so crazy just walking around the in hallways, we’d see competitors with their numbers still pinned on, dirt still on their jeans, chatting with family and friends. It was a very cool experience & it’s neat to say we’ve been to the one and only NFR.
GOOD NEWS OF THE DAY: Going to school with Stephanie today to talk about engineering with her students.
