HORSES EVERYWHERE

First day of the Tucson Rodeo, and we're open for business.

Patty's waiting for her first customer.

Yesterday was the first of nine rodeo days here in Tucson. Our merchandise trailer is parked next to the pathway that leads into the arena, and it's this horse freeway that provides lots of good cowboy, and cowgirl sightings. All of the contestants, and anyone else on horseback, must pass by the trailer to our left. It's a day long parade, and it's one that we never get tired of watching.

There's usually a downside to most everything, and in this particular case, all of the horse traffic creates a lot of dust. We're constantly battling this airborne invasion, but there's only so much we can do. Fortunately, most of our apparel is in sealed plastic bags, and that keeps the dust away from those items.

Our sales on opening day were close to what we did last year, but down just a little. One of the things that we enjoy about this event, is after doing it for multiple years, we've gotten to know a lot of people, and we're always welcomed back. Most of the work that goes into putting on this rodeo is done by volunteers, who year after year, keep donating their time to one of the oldest, and largest rodeos in the country. This is the 87th annual Fiesta de los Vaqueros (Festival of the Cowboys), and each afternoon performance lasts a little over 3 hours, which includes a little junior rodeo action.

We've got 8 more days of rodeo, and I suspect there will be a lot more pictures of folks on horseback. We're still waiting for our first customer to ride up to the trailer counter on his/her horse.