What a week it’s been in Pauls Valley, Oklahoma where I was promoting a local bull riding competition, Thunder in the Valley! From eighty degrees with humidity and lightening storms to cool temperatures and buckets of rain, we experienced it all. I drove in on Monday afternoon and began immediately by picking up a beautiful sponsored Ford F250 Super Duty graciously handed over by Seth Wadley Ford of Pauls Valley. Loaded up and looking good in this gorgeous vehicle, I headed out to meet former Miss Rodeo USA, Lisa Watson-Lance and her family. A BIG thank you to her and her family, David, Katie and Allie for letting me barge into their home for over a week and above all, making me feel like part of the family!
Tuesday brought morning radio interviews, school visits and an evening fundraiser of Chance to Dance with Miss Rodeo USA. The day was exciting, fast-paced and I truly enjoyed getting to know my guide, Lora Scoggins of Seth Wadley Ford and the Pauls Valley Rotary Club President. We even managed to fit in some great BBQ and a bit of shopping, I’d say we got along well! While we were able to visit a few schools while I was in Augusta, Georgia last week because of conflict with state testing, we managed to hit nearly every school in and around PaulsValley. We visited nine schools in just four days! I had a wonderful time meeting the kids and getting them excited about the upcoming bull riding! The kids are so fun and their questions never fail to surprise me. Some of my personal favorites:
“Is your crown real diamonds?”
“Do you always have to wear a cowboy hat?...Even to bed?”
“Do you ride bulls?”
After talking about sports I participated in as a kid, “Have you ever been hit in the face with a soccer ball?
And the one that takes the cake – A kindergartener asked, “Have you ever roped a camel?”
On a rainy Wednesday, my guide, Bonnie Vorhies and I set out to complete my schedule of school presentations and sponsor visits. We didn’t count on the pouring rain, thunder and lightning that made our day slightly difficult! You try keeping your hair looking good in a 24-hour downpour! :) Regardless, Bonnie and I had fun dodging the rain and cruising around town! Thursday brought more sunshine and less precipitation, thankfully! Josh Kraft was my guide for the day and we had a wonderful time visiting some of the tourist attractions in Pauls Valley. We toured the Toy & Action Figure Museum as well as a local chocolate factory that made treats to die for! That’s my kind of day! Friday was the wrap up of school presentations with Windy Lattin and Lisa Lance as my guides. I also was able to attend the local Rotary Club meeting where I was honored with a chance to speak to a friendly group of Rotarians who participate in holding Thunder in the Valley each year.
I had four days of hard work promoting a great event that seemed truly promising in its attendance, but now it was time to play! David and Lisa’s daughters, Katie and Allie invited many of their friends to join them at the re-opening of their hometown movie theatre where they were playing Hannah Montana the Movie. Thirty or so elementary school kids filed into this theatre and were filled with energy on a Friday night! We all had a fantastic time during the movie and the girl’s weren’t shy about hopping up and dancing and singing along to the many songs throughout the movie. I even joined in a time or two! However, I still need to work on my Hoedown Throw-Down!
I woke up a few hours before my alarm Saturday morning, the day of the event, to booming thunder and pounding rain. It was only a few hours later that Thunder in the Valley was rescheduled for two weeks from now, to May 16th. With the rodeo grounds nearly underwater, the rain had made the event impossible to hold. While I was disappointed in the cancellation, I still enjoyed every minute of my busy week here in PaulsValley. I hope to return for their rescheduled event but I’ll have to play that one by ear! I’ll be here for the next few days promoting a bull riding in Ada, Oklahoma for next weekend then its up north once again for the 25th Annual Owasso Round-up Club IPRA Championship Rodeo! I’m off to hit the hay! Good night all and God Bless!
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