Month: August 2012

Look! Up in the sky!

It’s a balloon! Sequim’s first Balloon Festival is this weekend and participating balloonists have begun to arrive. Five checked out the conditions early yesterday morning.

The light wasn’t perfect but the winds were calm and the balloons drifted gracefully across the landscape.

It was a great treat. And it was almost as much fun to see how many other people were taking it in too. I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people out in Sequim that early, pulled over by the sides of the roads, looking up. . .and everyone had cameras.

The Agnew truck

There’s an old truck at the Agnew Store. It’s moved around from time to time. Its latest location has it cozying up with the landscaping. I can picture it oneday in a jungle of leaves with bits and pieces of old truck poking out.

Here’s what it looks like in full. It has a very spiffy and newer red cousin doing the store’s heavy lifting these days.

4H: Head, Heart, Hands, Health

The county fair is an opportunity for kids to strut their stuff and 4H clubs throughout the U.S. give them the tools and leadership skills to succeed. I love that we’re in a community that fosters active 4H involvement. The young exhibitors at the Clallam County Fair did a spectacular job showing their animals and projects.

They start ’em young. Having been a city kid for much of my life I’m impressed that children this size are perfectly at ease with critters bigger than they are.

The Fair is a chance for some fun, too. The kids costumed goats, above, and dogs and horses. The animals showed remarkable patience but it’s clear they’re also showered with love and care.

Is there a chiropractor in the house?

Bull riding! My back hurts just watching these guys. This is another one of those rodeo events where a cowboy climbs on an unwilling ride. . .in this case a 3,000 pound steer that isn’t happy about the turn of events.

And here’s another example of testosterone meets resistance. There’s money to win at rodeos, but from my perspective a few of life’s bumps and injuries have taught me not to go looking for more.

I usually don’t fuss much with my photos but couldn’t do much about the background here. What do you think of this effect?

Barrel racing

Barrell racing is where the cowgirls shine at the rodeo. The rider and horse circle a course of three barrels and then tear back to the starting point.

Seconds count so winning teams maneuver close and fast. Mind you, the rider may talk to the horse but the real communication is through body language and teamwork. It’s all about trust and practice.

The home stretch is where they really pour on the speed. Each racer clocks in around 15 seconds or less. I love to watch, but my camera allows me to take in and appreciate the beauty of the ride.

Tomorrow: Bronc and bull riding.

I love the rodeo

The Clallam County Fair last weekend featured a rodeo on Saturday and Sunday. I caught the action on Sunday and it did not disappoint. Here’s an example of bareback riding, where a cowboy climbs on an unwilling horse, keeps one hand in the air, and takes a ride. There are finer points, but suffice it to say that it’s quite a ride.