Congratulations to anybody who guessed Brunswick, Georgia as my destination in my last blog! I hit the road after a storm in Huntsville heading to Brunswick and did not get there until two in the morning. Late night travel is often a way of life in the rodeo world. When I finally got to the hotel in Brunswick, I was shocked to see MY name on the television screen in my room! Maybe I just need to go to more hotels, but I have never seen that before. I spent my time in Brunswick visiting sponsors, doing radio interviews, dolphin watching and enjoying the rodeo and community. While there, I visited with Stambaugh Aviation and received a tour of the facility where they repair the inside and outside of planes for people all across the country. During my visit to Brunswick, I learned a few things. The shrimp is, and I quote, “THE best shrimp you will EVER have”. This is because there is a sugarcane-like marsh that results in the shrimp from this area having a sweet flavor. I also learned that on Jekyll Island there is a center for rehabilitating sea turtles. I ran into Tiny Miss West Point Whitley Slaton and her family while touring the sea turtle rehab center. After visiting with the turtles, my chaperone Terri and I headed out for an exciting dolphin tour. Before that day, the closest I had ever been to a dolphin was on television. We had some luck riding with us on the boat and not only saw one dolphin, but a whole pod! It was a great way to end our trip to Jekyll Island and head back to the rodeo grounds. Both performances of the rodeo were wonderful thanks to the hard workers with Hedrick Rodeo Company. The nights were filled with fair rides, food, trucks, trick riding, and top rodeo competitors of the IPRA (both two legged and four). I came home from Brunswick with special memories that will last a lifetime.
After a short trip home, I caught a flight to Dallas Fort Worth to experience Dallas Market. When I arrived at the airport, I learned my flight had JUST been cancelled due to weather. Talk about stressed! I was so thankful my Mom came in to see me off for my first flight as Miss Rodeo USA, because she was able to help me book another flight and I was on my way in just a few moments. When I was boarding the plane, I had somebody ask me if there was an animal in my hat can. I giggled and told them no, it is my cowboy hat. Not even a minute later, we heard a cat meowing. I had ALL eyes on me and people were wondering how I had fit a cat in this dome shaped tin. Once I landed in Dallas, I met up with Miss Rodeo USA Chairman, Beth Weldon, and we hopped in the car to go to Fort Worth to catch some shuteye. A huge shoutout to Missy Bonds for welcoming us into your home. The next morning Beth and I met up with two other board members and we toured American Hat Company and learned all about the hand made quality that goes into American Hats. After touring and seeing all the love, passion, and thought that goes into each cowboy hat, we stopped by The Best Hat Store at the Fort Worth Stockyards. I picked out two hats and had them shaped by one of the best in the business. Special thanks to Danny Adams for keeping me looking sharp! Meeting Keith Mundee, the President of American hats, our tour guide Connor, and Danny (the best hat shaper ever) was a true honor as American Hats is the official hat sponsor for Miss Rodeo USA. We also stopped by NRS World and had a tour of the famous ranch where I learned they do a whole lot more than sell everything western. From cabins, events and shopping, I could get lost in NRS for days. The next day was Market day. Although we did manage to work in a little shopping, we were there to meet some of our amazing sponsors of the Miss Rodeo USA Pageant and organization. We began our morning stopping in to visit Tammy Taylor with Double T Sale, and then went next door to Lane Boots, our NEW official boot sponsor! I cannot wait to share my beautiful collection of Lane boots. After being in awe of the selection of Lane Boots, we were off to see some other sponsors. We visited with Paige Wallace Designs, Barbosa, Cotton and Rye, Dallas cosmetics, Camel Threads, and West and Co., just to name a few. At Market, we met many new supporters of the Miss Rodeo USA Association. Keep an eye on the Miss Rodeo USA Facebook and Instagram pages to see all the goodies provided by our wonderful sponsors. I am positive you will see something you just cannot live without. After Dallas Market was over, it was back on the plane to good ole Alabama to get ready for my next rodeo. Stay tuned for my next blog to hear about my time in Sandersville, Georgia with the Hedrick Family at the Washington County Agriculture Rodeo.
1 Comment
Kerry
4/5/2021 10:31:50 am
Love the update! Pictures?
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Miss Rodeo
|