Post by goat roper on Aug 1, 2008 23:43:30 GMT -8
Nobody responded on the board to my offer to report on the ropin' convention, but a few folks I talked to at the Raucci get together showed some interest, some more than others, so I guess I should write somethin' about it. It was held at the Eastern Idaho State Fairgrounds in Blackfoot, just down the street from the Idaho Potato Museum. Don't know why they spell it that way. When you say it, it's more like petaduh. Somebody from Oregon musta decided how to spell it. They think they know everything, but they grow some nasty spuds there. Well, the ropin' convention was pretty much like you would expect. There were a lot of demonstrations and such. I personally showed a few special throws, that I'm famous for, and most folks seemed to enjoy it. On the midway there was a guy, who had a cookin' apparatus that could cut up spuds for fries with just one chop. Then, he could turn it around the other way and dice onions with it - amazing! That's what he said too. There was some other kind of demonstrations there too, ones most of us ropers didn't take too kindly to. Some animal rights folks were there. We call em goat huggers. Shoot, goats have got strong necks. Ropin' em don't hurt em at all. In fact, sometimes I see a little smirk on their faces, after I finish my tie. It's kinda like they're sayin' "You can't hurt me." Well, most folks paid them no nevermind, and, after they said their piece, they moved on down to ride the Ferris wheel, and we didn't hear no more outa them. Like most every sport these days, there was a lot of talk about safety and new safety products. And, wouldn't ya know it, just when I'm runnin' my mouth off about ropin' on asphalt bein' unsafe, some feller comes out with special soles for your boots, that are supposed to work good on asphalt. He even has clip-ons that'll fit on your old boots. Well, I still don't believe I'd want to rope on asphalt though. Probably the most interestin' product this year was the Hank Device. It looked a lot like a Hans Device turned around backwards. It's pretty uncomfortable on your throat too, but it might come in handy if you happen to draw one of them big La Manchas. You can really feel the power of some of them babies. When the slack comes outa your rope, they'll about snap your head clean off. The Hank Device was developed by Hank Tolliver out of Rigby, Idaho. He is kind of a entrepreneur. I think that's French for business man. He's got a couple a businesses. He has the only golf tee repair shop in Jefferson County, and there's two golf courses in that county alone. He also has a mobile tractor detailin' service. Ain't nobody can Armorall a tractor seat like Hank can. His brother, Hal, is quite the entrepreneur too, but he lives in Big Piney, Wyoming. I don't know why they call it that though. The town isn't very big, and it doesn't have very many pine trees. Oh well, sometimes folks, who name things, just ain't too smart. Anyway, you know, in small towns like that, if you're a business man, it's pretty hard to make a livin' from just one. Also, there just ain't many buildings on the main drag to put your businesses in. So, most of the places are some kinda combination of two or more, like a gas station and video rental. Well, Hal was the Goodyear tire rep in Pocatello, Idaho at one time, so he wanted to open a tire store. His wife, Bonnie, used to be a gourmet cook in New York City, so they opened a combination tire store and gourmet restaurant. A friend of mine, who grew up in Big Piney, and now lives in Las Vegas, took his new bride there for lunch, while she was in Big Piney to meet his family. She said the aromas in that place took her breath away. I guess she really liked it. I think I digressed. Think that's what you're supposed ta say when you kinda get off track with what you're talkin' about. So, I guess that's about it. And a good time was had by all. The end.
Thanks for readin' it. See ya at the races! ;D
Verne
Thanks for readin' it. See ya at the races! ;D
Verne
