Wild Thing Championship Bullriding July 7 & 8

Above, from last year's Wild Thing at Red Rock Park. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 

Respite From Monsoon Rains

Above, during the Independence Day drive in Six Mile Canyon. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

We received a respite yesterday from the monsoon rains that have been hitting the Four Corners region.

This will be the trend for the next several days until Sunday, where the National Weather Service forecasts a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms.

Well, we still need more rain even though the area is less parched than it had been for months. 

I spent most of yesterday in Gallup while taking a friend to his physical therapist. We noticed going both to and from Gallup that the area is getting very green from the recent rains. 

It is nice to know that I won't get rained on when I attend this year's Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding rodeo at Red Rock Park. 

The forecast:

Today

Sunny, with a high near 85. West wind 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight

Mostly clear, with a low around 48. West wind 10 to 15 mph becoming light and variable after midnight.

Friday

Sunny, with a high near 90. Light and variable wind becoming north 5 to 10 mph in the morning.

Friday Night

Mostly clear, with a low around 61. North wind 5 to 10 mph becoming south after midnight.

Saturday

Sunny, with a high near 89. South wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday Night

Mostly cloudy, with a low around 62.

Sunday

A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after noon. Mostly sunny, with a high near 90.

Bull Riding and Sushi

Last year, when I learned of the  annual Wild Thing Championship Bullriding rodeo at Red Rock Park near Gallup, it was too late to get a ticket as the event was already sold out. This year it would be different.

This evening, I headed into Gallup to buy an advance ticket at T & R Feed and Rope Center. Thankfully, they had them available (they went on sale yesterday). I bought one for Friday (I heard Fridays are less crowded). I saved $5 by buying it early.

According to their Facebook page: 

#1 open Bullriding in the southwest! Held at Red Rock Park in Gallup, New Mexico every July, with some of the best bucking bulls in the business, huge fireworks and an estimated $28,000 payout each year.

After that, I headed down to Zen Steak & Sushi for dinner. It had been a few months since I was last there and I had a craving for sushi.

As storm clouds were moving in, I bee-lined it back home before the storm hits. It rained a little going to and from Gallup, but the main part of the storm was still to the southwest. 

Now I can relax for the rest of the evening.

Wild Thing Championship Bull Riding Flyer

Right click image to see larger by opening image in new tab.

Grants Wild West Days Rodeo

Above, one of the barrel racing events this morning. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is this time of the year that I really enjoy living in New Mexico. This is the time that rodeos and other events take place throughout the state. 

At least, that's the case during normal times.

Last year, the only event I was able to attend was the Grants Wild West Days Rodeo. All other events were cancelled.

I spent this morning in Grants for this year's Wild West Days Rodeo. The events this morning included barrel racing and calf roping. The crowd was light. The weather was nice until the clouds parted, that's when the sun made things uncomfortable. More rain was expected in the afternoon.

After watching the morning's events, I headed back to Jamestown to get some chores done. The rodeo continues through Sunday. I may go back tomorrow. 

Next week, much closer to home in Gallup, will be the Wild Thing Championship Bullriding events at Red Rock Park. That's only ten miles from home. (Grants is about 45 miles from home.)

Below, some more photos from today: