Category: Day Trip

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.

A visit to Hurricane Ridge

We’ve had visitors lately and one of the “must see” places to go is Hurricane Ridge. We visited two weeks ago. The wildflowers were so breathtaking it wouldn’t have been surprising to see Julie Andrews cresting the hill singing, “The hills are alive with the sound of m-u-u-u-u-sic.”

I’d brought along my camera bag but with the hubub of organizing our small group, well. . .one lens made it and the camera stayed home, hiding under a hat. So here is a view, taken a week later. The lupine are still there but the great swath of avalanche lilies was much diminished. This view is looking north. Below is Port Angeles and beyond is the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

We went to Hurricane Ridge a second time last Saturday. The camera made it this trip. It was a sunny day. A weekend. And it’s August. Suffice it to say we were not alone.

Jefferson County Courthouse

The Jefferson County Courthouse is a standout building atop a hill in Port Townsend. Designed by Seattle architect W. A. Ritchie in the Romanesque style, it was built in 1891 for an estimated cost of $150,000.

Here is a look at some of the detail.

The historic Clallam County Courthouse in Port Angeles is smaller than this but lovely in its own right. I must post it, too.