RODEO

MID DAY Jordan and I had a conversation about finding time to connect. With her being out out town for Kelsey’s Bachelorette the previous weekend and me leaving the next day we both had a lot to do. The Rodeo felt like a stretch to fit into the week. Boy am I glad we made it happen! We had a blast and most importantly, Tatum loved it :)

As soon as we pulled in Tatum saw horses and said “nieghhhh”. The view going back into the rodeo grounds is spectacular. Driving past the entrance all the time you don’t know the view is there until you drive a few hundred feet back into the grounds. The field we parked in was unsurprisingly filled with big trucks that dwarfed our truck even with the OVRNLND camper. Walking up to the venue Jordan remembered we should have brought Tatums head phones and we both felt concerned about how loud it might be. It was already close to bed time by the time the rodeo started so the trying to drive home and get back through traffic to find a spot would have meant missing a window with Tatum. Luckily once we got in the sound wasn’t concerning.

Getting into the event was very low key. Security had no problem with my camera and when we asked if we could run out to get headphones if need-be they said they could make it work for us. Once we were in there was was a pleasently familair and nastalgic feeling. I felt like we dropped back in time to the first Festival of the summer in cincinnati in 2005 . . . with a cowboy twist. Even the low pressure security and friendly greeting made the setting feel like we were stepping back into simpler times.

We found our seats just in time for the first round of bull riders. Since we were on the far end of the venue from the gates I was sure if Tatum would be able to see the riders well . . . but she did and she was a big fan! Just after each ride she would sign for more or say moree. Some of the best moments were when the bulls took off down the arena towards our seats and we got to watch the cowboys rope them up close. Tatum did gate and watched with big curious eyes. The girls behind us and their dad seemed to know a decent bit about the sport and it totally made me want to watch more bull riding. This was totally fueled by my recent viewing of one of the Malloy brothers short film about a famous bull rider that just retired. The sport and the injuries that accompany it make skiing and mountain biking look like child’s play. Well maybe not mountain biking . . . but the bulls are big and angry and the consequence is high. The culture is also a total blast to be around.

Speaking of rodeo culture . . It dawned on me that rodeo may be a yearly event for Tatum. See all of the teens (many of which were likely from sister’s high school) congregate in little groups just like we did as kids at football games and festivals made me remember that Tatum is an Oregon kid and rodeo won’t be a novel thing like it is for myself and Jordan. I’ve had similar thoughts thinking about how Jackson is an Oregon dog even though he feels like an extention of myself and even after almost 10 years of living in oregon I still feel like an Ohio boy just playing around out west. It’s not to say I don’t feel like Bend is home, I just feel like my blood comes from elsewhere.

After each gate has released it’s riders they basically have to reload all of the gate with new bulls which provides a natural little intermission. We got up during one of these breaks to let Tatum go walk around. She qucikly found what I imagine may have been her highlight of the night. Calfs!

“Moo!!” She was stoked. She also loved climbing up the gate to get a closer look. Watching her climb with ease reinspired Jordan and I to get back to the climbing Gym with her.

Prior to going to the Rodeo I tried looking up whether bringing a camera was allowed especially because Hayden homes amphitheatre security is so intense. There weren’t any obvious rules posted anywhere, but I did stumble upon a media/press application page. The rules included working for a specific source/assignment. It peaked my interest about how I could do that freelance for not only an event like this but other fun sporting events like kayaking. After being allowed in with the camera my interest in that pursuit only grew. I saw a few photographers down close to the arena and I wanted in on the action! The setting sun created some super cool lighting and I had a few shots in mind that would be so fun to take getting up close. Jord was encouraging of my sneaking up to snag a shot or two but once I got close to the ideal spot to shoot photos there were ushers letting people in and out of the section and holding folks back each time a bull was let out. I felt uncomfortable waiting down by the gates any where near that section and honestly wanted to hang with the girls. Despite not getting up in the dreamy photo spot my inspiration for future photos remains.

Tatum was in a great mood getting back to the truck. Jord and I were too! There was a awesome old green f250 with the perfect upholdtered bench seat and stick shift. Like always, Jord and I voiced our dreams of an old truck. We didn’t rush out of the parking feild - we just chilled with each other and let tater play peekaboo with the camper windows. Then driving home we took cascades estates - mostly to peek at our neighbors cholla and other landscaping but also to take the dirt road home. We got Tatum out of her carseat so she wouldn’t fall asleep and she happily steering the truck with me.