Most all of our "vacations" revolve
around our love for our kids and cattle in some way shape or
form. Yesterday the whole family loaded up and headed west to Grand
Island, Nebraska for the Junior National Hereford Expo. This is what we
lovingly refer to as a "show-cation" by those of us bit by the
livestock show bug. A "show-cation" involves early mornings, late
nights, lots of physical labor, old friends and new, laughs, a few tears and
oh, and it generally leaves you with two feelings by the end of the trip;
"Ah, I love this life!" and "Man, I need a vacation!"
The Junior National Hereford Expo is arguably the
Greatest Show on Earth and this year we are breaking records with over 2000
head of Hereford cattle entered by exhibitors ages 7-20 from all across the
United States. There are also over 20 educational contests and a week full of
fun and learning for all in attendance. The location changes from year to year
and in 2016, Wisconsin will host the show for the first time since 2005.
Our oldest can exhibit for the first time at Junior
Nationals next year in Madison. This year though, she is participating in the
pre-peewee showmanship contest. The Pre-Peewee Showmanship is for the
kids not quite old enough to exhibit their own cattle (but want to!) and are
given the chance to shine on this grand stage right along side the older kids
they are surely looking up to. I have heard more than one person say that
it is their favorite part of the show; seeing those little ones out there
showing everyone how it is done! Pure joy!
This is undoubtedly the beginning of a new tradition,
as our family vacation will take us near and far across the country with a
cattle trailer instead of a camper. Boots instead of flip-flops.
Forks and shovels instead of marshmallow roasting sticks. And we
wouldn't have it any other way.
Stay tuned this week as we experience Hereford
Nation in Nebraska!
