Yellowstone & The Rodeo

Wednesday, August 16, 2006
Although we find ourselves in Minnesota, this is really our Yellowstone story. We were both lukewarm about Yellowstone – Darlene had been there before and I had seen a lot of thermal areas in New Zealand - so we really went because it was on our way. Perhaps it was because we brought few expectations to the Park that we were so taken with it.

For me it was a visual feast. My photography tends to turn things into colour abstracts on most occasions so Yellowstone was just one photo after another. Only the truly interested should ask to see my Yellowstone photos – and have lots of time on their hands.

Nor were we really expecting to see so much wildlife. Five minutes after we entered the park we came across a bald eagle perched beside the road, then five minutes later, a herd of elk crossed our path. And the buffalo were stupendous! These were not the quiet, docile animals we encountered in Riding Mountain National Park in Manitoba. No,no,no. It’s rutting season in Wyoming folks, and that means lots of grunting, head-butting, rolling in the dust, and – if you’re a bull – keeping your favorite cow away from the rest of the boys. And when all this happens ten feet away from you, it’s quite exciting.

Yellowstone kept us busy for three days solid.

Our next stop was Cody, Wyoming – home of the rodeo and a huge Buffalo Bill Museum. We spent the night in a motel. It was still 39° in the evening and the campgrounds weren’t offering any shade. That night we took ourselves off to the rodeo, ate pulled-pork sandwiches and drank Bud, while the locals – and one Australian - competed in bareback bronc riding, barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling and bull riding. I think we were most impressed with the kids. It’s one thing for a twenty-five year old to climb on the back of a bull – it’s gut-churning when the rider is only ten years old. I don’t think many of these kids have to worry about a poor self- image.

It was particularly exciting when the Aussie cowboy got tossed by his bull after he’d managed to hang on for the 8 seconds. The bull went after him. And again. The animal ignored the exit chute and kept his eye on the rider, who was by now behind the fence. Even when one of the safety riders lassoed the bull it didn’t give up. It pulled horse and rider over to the fence to continue its staring contest with the Aussie. That has to be unnerving if you’re the rider.

Darlene’s favorite moment came when another bull also ignored the exit chute and jumped over the fence into the public area. ( This is a big, heavy bull and a fairly tall fence. Think Andrew, standing next to our garden gate, and in one leap, diving head-first over it.) The bull got a lot of applause. And a lot of attention – helpers and riders came from all over to get him back in the right area.


Next stop, the South Dakota Badlands!