Nearly one year has passed since I moved to Georgia and in that time, I began to reflect on what I covered while in Texas and how it shaped me during that time.
With the Fourth of July recently skipping by, I found it tough not to think back to the past five years when I spent that day — or weekend before then, depending on when it fell — covering the Wimberley Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Rodeo.
At first I balked at the assignment, just because it was the rodeo. Then I learned the first night of the rodeo featured a regional stop for the Professional Bull Riders and I had watched enough of that on TV over the years to pique my interest a bit more.
The best stories I found on those Friday nights belonged to the rodeo protection athletes — or clowns, as many like to call them. I wish I could locate my first feature from the Wimberley VFW Rodeo, because I loved it. Turns out those RPAs don’t get paid unless they work, so if they break a bone, tough luck — they get back out there. Tough way to live, for sure, but those guys love what they do and keep riders safe.
Mutton Bustin’ always made for a good laugh and an award-winning photo. That photo was by Gerald Castillo, but I honed my photo skills over the years (at top).
When it comes down to it, I have this to say about the Wimberley VFW Rodeo: Nothing — and I mean, nothing — is more American than covering, watching it.
Fireworks, patriotic music and rodeo: Can anything top that display of Murica?
I mean, you could strap George Washington to a bald eagle and have him wave the 50 stars and 13 stripes, but you’d just be getting greedy. Plus, that would be crazy.
Anyway, happy belated Fourth of July to you all and happy belated birthday, USA!