Chapter 5---

Every year, since about 1968, Robin and I have attended the National Finals Rodeo.  It was in Oklahoma City, until 1985, when it moved to Las Vegas.  We've watched so many cowboys and cowgirls try their hardest to win the coveted World title, in their events.  It's the most awesome rodeo in the country.  Ten go-rounds in ten days.  Fifteen of the top contenders in each event.

We've stayed in so many different Hotels, that we can't remember them all.  The last six years or so, we were in the Signature Suites, Embassy Suites and now in Marriott's Residence Inn.  So comfortable and convenient to everything.  The hotels that we choose, don't have casinos and are a lot quieter and smoking is not allowed, so it's very pleasant.  We get a room that has a little kitchen in it, so we can prepare some of our meals and make coffee, anytime.  We're not big on gambling or partying, so mostly we come to see the rodeo.  During the day, we go to the different Trade Shows and do some of our Christmas Shopping and usually have a meal between 2 and 4 and then either come back to the room for a rest, or get ready to go back to the rodeo.  We always drive and take the round about way, to the Thomas and Mack, getting there around 5.  Before the traffic gets too bad.  We also stick around, after the Bull Riding, until they have ran all of the extras, for the evening and then we leave, taking the long way back.  When you get into your 60's, routine helps your memory.  If we parked in a different parking spot every night of the rodeo, we wouldn't ever find our car, so we park in about the same row and under the same "Black 6" lamp pole.  It works for us.

My dad bought seats, when the rodeo was in Oklahoma City and we've held onto them, all these years. We are still hoping to upgrade, in the future and pick up a couple more seats.  We would love to share this love of rodeo, with our kids and their kids.

One of our neighbors, Les Shepperson, won the sixth go round in the Steer Wrestling and is setting high in the average....he may win the World!  That would be terrific.  He's a good hand and can surely stop and put down those big steers.