Seeing America with Ken and Shirley: You never know what the day brings :) Picture overload!

Yesterday morning (Friday) after blogging, coffees etc we were getting ready to head for Gardnerville and Walmart. We needed some things and also to pick up a couple of prescriptions. The Reno news was on and they were talking about the Camel Races in Virginia City. We've always said we wanted to go, but never have. Decided what the heck let's do it. So we put our booties in high gear as they started at noon, and we figured they'd be crowded.

Off we went on our 1 hour and 15 min drive to Gardnerville. A marathon run through Walmart and then to Raleys for prescription pick up. Whew..now about a 50 minute drive to Virginia City. We made it there just about 1130. Found the fairgrounds and joined the other happy people as we made our way to the gate. Wan't too bad to get in as we knew seniors and youngsters were discounted to $10.00 instead of $15.00. I love it when you go up and tell them he's 65 and I'm 61 so I don't know if I'm a senior..the cashier didn't know either so he gave it to me. So many places are anywhere from 60 to 62 to 65. In we went and found our spot in the short bleachers, but turned out we had awesome seats.

Started promptly with Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA which always makes me tear up (thinking of a young Marine going out on float and this is the song that was playing on the ship as they pulled out of port, makes me tear up thinking of it)..then the Silver Stars of Virginia City (high school kids) sang the National Anthem, and the tears continued! What a beautiful job they did and with no background music!

You have been warned! Picture Overload...*click on the pics

to enlarge*

Camels

Showing off the camels that will be racing

Yes there were zebras too!

The truck that held "The Silver Stars"..excellent singing!

Ostriches!

A camel race

So for the next hour and forty minutes we enjoyed non stop fun! The Camel Races, EMU Races and Ostrich Races all included. They also had some of the little kids chasing chickens! Hilarious!

Ostrich race

Kids chasing chickens

You don't realize it, but the fair grounds is built on
mine tailings...pretty cool way to do it

Our area..Friday was the best day to go as they said
weekend shows were pretty much sold out..

Ostrich riding

This young kid rode a couple different animals

The clown

Emu..

Zebra riding..

Like riding a bucking bronco.

Chariot racing...love this..

Love the chariots hooked up to Ostriches!

Cute little mini horse and his companion..

We had perfect weather, high 70's and a breeze! We actually grabbed a huge hot dog (oh no) before we left and then headed home.

Virginia City wine and Cemetery Gin..sold in Virginia City
made in Fallon, NV the gin is 90 proof..wow..

Looking down the side of the tailings..

Showing more of the mine tailings that are flattened for the
fairgrounds.

Leaving the fair grounds

Love tin buildings like this

An old place

We figure this is "California money"..hahah

We ended up on the truck route..haven't been on this one, but
nice..

Headed down into the valley

Old mining operation

Unloaded groceries and then just took it easy..believe it or not I was whipped. Had a little front porch sitting and listening to country music.

We talked with our neighbor, Joe who had just gotten home after 4 days gone to Lovelock, NV for his correctional officer training. He invited us to dinner with his family but we declined and decided we'll go out to breakfast with them this morning.

Friday, September 8th saw the deaths of two long time country music singers. Our favorite guy, Don Williams (The Gentle Giant) passed after a short illness. He was 78. WE have seen him in concert several times over the years, own several albums and cd's. Just always seemed like a genuinely nice man.

Troy Gentry 50, of Montgomery Gentry died in a helicopter crash on the way to a concert in New Jersey. So sad..another twosome that sang basically with the old country sound.

Not sure what's on the agenda for later but looking at the time I better finish this later.

We're back after a great breakfast and conversation with our great neighbors. Had a couple of ideas of things to do, but thinking we'll stay home and watch some Arkansas Razorbacks vs Texas Christian Football! Go Pigs! Guess you know which side i'm rooting for!

#82 our Grandson Seth..

Dusty, Chelsea, Owen and Adam actually attended the game last night to watch Seth play football. Going to have to get over there myself soon.

My sister in law (Ken's sister)..is in Tennessee with her son, Jesse. They're there to catch the Titan's vs Raider's game on Sunday. They visited Nashville and then went to Don's house to spend the night.

Don took them to my favorite place in TN. Old Delina Country Store. Last night was their Catfish, frog legs and gator night. Diane had some gator and thought it was pretty good. No thanks, I'll stay with what I know. hahah