Ranchers And The NFR

[Cody-n-Nancy]

I'm sure there are some ranchers that go to the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo in Las Vegas, but I wonder, since this is a "ranching" forum, who takes care of their livestock while they are gone? Rodeo fans aren't just "big city", "small city" or "small town" folks that don't do any ranching or farming.

As for us, we are now all set up for the Las Vegas NFR this coming December. We won't be going to the Thomas-Mack, but will be watching four go-arounds on big-screen tv's at the Mirage Hotel/Casino where we will be staying. Our flight, rental car and room at the Mirage are all reserved.

Anyone here going?

 

[Faster horses]

I went once. Too many people for me. Mr. FH has never gone. We just watch it at home on Cowboy Channel.

 

[Cody-n-Nancy]

We've been to the NFR three times, but never went to the Thomas-Mack Center to watch. Always went to a Cocktail Lounge, at the hotel we were staying at, to watch. And, went to Cowboy Christmas each year we went. My wife's sister, and sometimes other family of hers, that live in So. California, will drive to Vegas to see us. Along with the rodeo, it's a special time for us to see any family that comes. And, we absolutely love to see all of the Christmas decor Las Vegas has out. Sam's Town is all decked out in the middle for Christmas.
And, we do like gambling. To start out, we allot each other $200 and go from there. Wife hits the penny and quarter slots and I always head to the $1 slots. I've done pretty good on dollar slots. Won $500 once, playing $20. Another time, wife won $200, playing a dollar slot, from $20, in the front of a casino. I was in the back of the same casino and won $200, playing $20. Walked out with $400 and headed home.
True, lots of people, but when it's the NFR in Vegas, we don't even think about that. We just like seeing others wearing what we are wearing and having a great time. Will watch the rest of the NFR on the Cowboy Channel when we get back home.
We've already told each other that this will be our last time in Vegas, so.............it will be "party time"!!

 

[Big Muddy rancher]

That's what neighbors are for.

 

[webfoot]

Neighbor says them and another rancher couple from here were on vacation in Mexico 20 years ago. Sitting in a bar in Mexico watching the NFR. He said why are we doing this. They went to Vegas to the Thomas and Mack every year after that through 2019. Didn't go to Texas in 2020. In 2019 I fed for him for 4 days one of his hired men had scheduled a trip to Vegas at the same time. He asked if I had ever run a mixer wagon. I said no. He said no matter they are easy to run....... Fed 400 head of yearlings and about 700 cows for four days. No equipment broken, no cattle or people killed........ I was happy when he got home.

 

[leanin' H]

I've been four times. Had my neighbors do our ranch chores. NFR is ok, but I like Cheyenne much better. Rode at the rough stock sale once down in Vegas. That was fun. Everyone around me wears cowboy clothes daily so no change there. I doubt I'll go back to the Finals. Been there and now I'm good. May go to the PBR one year.

 

[webfoot]

I have never gone to the NFR. It is on the bucket list. I went to the IPRA finals in Tulsa in '73. I have been to most every big one and a lot of small ones in the PNW.

 

[Cody-n-Nancy]

We already have a rental car and Marriott hotel room reserved for the PRCA Hall of Fame Induction in the middle of July. Been to the Induction before and had an excellent time. The lunch was pretty good as well. Look forward to seeing Cody Ohl and Martha Josey.

Then, during the first week of August, we will be at the Dodge City Roundup. There is an Indian Casino there, which we do like. Even though I know Dodge City isn't like the tv show, Gunsmoke, there is a life-size statue of James Arness aka Matt Dillon and a few places named after the tv show.

Last rodeo we went to was the Mountain States Circuit Finals in 2019, at The Ranch here. We are having withdrawal's from not going to any rodeos for over a year.