10
october11
community
2011
Happy Trails: A Report From the Rodeo Road
By Mackenzie Carr
2011 Miss Rodeo Oregon
Wednesday was a complete “have fun” day.
We started off by touring a logging job site with Axman
Mike Pihl. He even outfitted us in Pihl Logging t-shirts
and suspenders. We all thought they really tied in with
Hello again!
Like I mentioned in my last our hats and crowns. After listening to Mike describe
article, four other state titleholders the job site activity and overall logging process, we
came to Oregon to attend the infamous climbed aboard a log truck as well as a loader for some
Pendleton Round-Up in September. photos. Thank you again Mike for taking the time to
Flying in on Monday September tour us around; the girls and I had such a great time with
12th, was Heidi Miss Rodeo Iowa, you. After that, we were off to Tillamook to have lunch,
Becky Miss Rodeo Nebraska, Tricia an ice cream cone, and of course some cheese at the
Miss Rodeo Idaho, and Sammy Miss Rodeo Florida. Tillamook Cheese Factory. Once we were again stuffed
We began our Tuesday morning by visiting some of beyond belief, we drove to Longbeach, Washington to
my local sponsors around town. We took pictures in ride horses on the beach. With the exception of Miss
front of Wauna with the Credit Union Staff, visited Rodeo Florida, none of the girls had ever ridden on the
with Karin at Spiralz Salon, dropped in and gave Lisa beach before. Although we were only allowed to walk,
at Vernonia Florist and Michal at Creatures a friendly we made the best of it and had a blast! We finished the
evening with a quick “Truffle Shuffle” in front of the
hello, and then enjoyed lunch at Black Bear.
Immediately following our town tour, was a Goonies house and a few pictures with some stinky sea
kindergarten through 5th grade assembly at Washington lions in Astoria.
On Thursday, the five of us
piled in the car and drove over
to Pendleton. Along the way
we stopped at Multnomah
Falls and had lunch at Cousins’
Restaurant in The Dalles. The
remainder of the day was spent
shopping in Pendleton and
prepping for the next day’s
events.
Friday came, and so did the
“Westward Ho!” Parade in
Pendleton. The four girls rode
in a stagecoach and I rode on
the sweetest little old man’s
horse named Midge. Right
behind me in the parade was a
Mackenzie (center) and her friends Miss Rodeo Idaho, Florida, Iowa and Nebraska
team of oxen pulling a wagon.
at the Shay Park in Vernonia.
Once Midge finally realized
Grade School. The kids really enjoyed listening to each that there were HUGE horned creatures behind her, all
of us talk about special things from our states, but the she wanted to do was stare at them. For the remainder
best part was seeing Principle Miller dressed up as a of the parade route we either spun in circles or went
Bullfighter. After the assembly it was into Portland backwards, not once losing focus on the oxen. At
to sample the many tasty treats offered at Voodoo least, we looked nice while giving the crowd some
Doughnuts. Between the five of us, we bought 15 entertainment!
doughnuts to share; each of us taking a bite or two and
After the parade, the five of us went to the
then passing it on. Ironically, there is a “Keep Portland Pendleton Round-Up and got to sit in the VIP section. It
Weird” mural painted on a building across the street was great for my mom and I who had been before, but it
from the doughnut shop, and boy did we meet some was even better for the girls who had never experienced
weird people.
anything close to the type of show that the Round-Up
puts on. My good friend
and PRCA Clown Crash
Cooper was working
the rodeo and decided
he was going to hold a
Pendleton’s Got Talent
competition. He went
through the audience
looking for anyone who
could do something
entertaining/talented. If
they were good enough,
Mackenzie and friends sporting their Mike Pihl Logging suspenders with Mike on a
logging job site (above), and horseback riding at Longbeach, WA (below).
they got to showcase their skills over his microphone
to the thousands of spectators in the stands. I flagged
him down and of course he knew that in a group of five
rowdy rodeo queens, something ridiculous was about
to go down. Heidi Miss Rodeo Iowa makes a pretty
good goat noise and sure enough, Crash thought that
the thousands of people at the rodeo would appreciate
her talent. To say the least, we were rolling with
laughter when it was all said and done. To wrap up the
day we attended the Happy Canyon Pageant and Night
Show. Thank you again to the Pendleton Round-Up,
especially Carl Culham for donating our VIP Round-
Up and Happy Canyon tickets. You truly made our
Pendleton experience spectacular!
Saturday was more of a laid back day. We
toured the Pendleton Underground in the morning, did
some more shopping, and made the long drive home
to Vernonia that evening. The girls flew out bright and
early Sunday morning. Overall, it was the greatest state
trip this year. I got to spend one of the best rodeos with
four of my closest friends and make so many memories
that will last me a lifetime.
The following weekend was not quite
as eventful; however it was still a good time. On
September 23rd, I headed over to Prineville, Oregon
for the Northwest Professional Rodeo Association
Finals and 2012 Miss NPRA Pageant. Most of my time
was spent at the pageant, with rodeo performances each
night. Congratulations to my good friend Emily Clark
on sweeping the competition and being crowned 2012
Miss NPRA. Thank you to the NPRA Board and Jean
McPherson for having me. It is always nice to see your
many familiar faces.
I basically have the whole month of October
off; so instead of spending my time at a rodeo, I will be
studying, finishing the 21 outfits in my wardrobe, and
riding tons of horses in preparation for the Miss Rodeo
America Competition in December. I do have one
rodeo left in November in Redmond. The Columbia
River Circuit Finals will take place November 11th
and 12th and will feature the Northwest’s top PRCA
cowboys and cowgirls. It is also my good luck and send
off party for Miss Rodeo America and I would love to
see you there.
Until next time.
...in jail at the Pendleton Underground tour.
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