National Western Stock Show 2013

Annual Trip to the Mile High City

On the couch, surrounded by balls of waded up kleenex, sucking on cough drops and trying to chug down a glass of orange juice. To most this is a terrible way to spend a Tuesday evening (missing boot camp), but for me it's the sign of a good trip to Denver for the National Western Stock Show. For the most part this has been an annual trip for my family. Even though we weren't all there at the same time, my Genex sister was there before us and my CHB sister was there at the tail end. It's my favorite time of year. I love catching up with friends who I may only see once or twice a year. And it's always funny the unplanned people you bump into and get to visit with. And the reason for the trip...there's nothing more exciting than two days of cattle shows and looking at high quality cattle. I'm not quite sure these pictures are exactly worth a 1,000 words better (excuse my Droid), but they do a better job of telling the story. 

First off let me just say, this is a hard trip to pack for. Earlier last week it was 6*F.
We lucked out, the weather was gorgeous and sunny, temps even peaked int he 50's. TAKE ME BACK!
 

Since it was so nice out, I took a walk on the catwalk to see everything down in the yards. This is the back end of the yards. I wish I could look at those Rockies everyday.
 

From the sounds of it there was a steady stream of people in the yards. In the yards are where the pen and carload shows takes place. Herd bulls are on display is "Herd Sire Alley". A new blogger, Next Generation Genetics, shares the history of the yards in a recent post. Check it out and start following her blog too!

 

Changing things up a bit this year was the new location of the Mile High Night Sale, (National Hereford Sale). In the past we were all crammed into the beef palace in a hotter the heck sale arena. This new venue change was for the better. This is also were the cattle shows on the hill take place. The place was packed and it was a great way to showcase the breed. There were even a lot of people outside of the breed there to check it out and get in on the action.    

A good bookend to my first picture. Why do rental cars have the smallest trunks? We got to give a good friend from Oklahoma a ride to the airport. Thank you Keysto for your muscles, packing skills and entertainment.

Well there it is. I've only missed pictures of two things.... the cattle show (which took place in the ring where the sale was held) and my ultimate favorite place to eat Texas de Brazil. It's a once a year kinda place to eat at. But if you ever get the chance to eat at a Brazilian steakhouse... DO IT. I'm not sure if it's the food or the people I get to enjoy it with that I like best.

N.Starr