We were delighted to have our daughter Colleen come from Idaho to join us for the Eagle County Fair this year.
We have all grown very fond of this family from Eagle who have purchased their goats from us for going on five years now. We have watched their children grow up and have so enjoyed being a small part of their lives.
Here they are picking up their three wethers: Shelton; Ward (re-named Finn); and Hudson.
Picking up the three wethers.
On the day of the fair, it was a cool morning with just a slight bit of rain—enough that it made us nervous that the Colorado Department of Transportation may close I-70 through Glenwood Canyon, blocking our way.
Last year, they closed I-70 through the canyon because of the road damage caused by the rain-induced mudslides. We got through on the way up, but had to take the long route back.
We didn’t want the same thing to happen this year before we even got up there!
So we left extra early just in case. Fortunately, though the clouds were threatening, the rain was light and we were able to avoid any problems.
It’s always exciting when the kids bring the goats in for the first show. It’s a chance to preview the competition and observe how the judge is going to make her decisions.
This year something interesting happened, though. Shortly after the first class got underway, the judge stated that she really didn’t care for goats at all.
We could almost hear all the kids gulp!
We thought that was a strange thing to say since she was there to judge goats, after all. It was particularly odd in front of all the kids who had worked so hard with their goats—and many who loved them.
Oh well. We were glad that the kids didn’t feel the same way she did!
Here comes Lizzy with Finn and Isaac with Hudson. Both wethers weighed about the same so they competed against each other in the same class.
Lizzy with Finn & Isaac with Hudson.
Here the kids are standing them up so the judge could check them out.
Isaac with Hudson and Lizzy with Finn.
Hudson had a mighty fine looking body on him! We were impressed by how much he had bulked up his muscles.
Hudson
Finn looked good the way Lizzy was holding him here.
Lizzy showing Finn.
Isaac and Hudson with their ribbon.
Isaac and Hudson with their ribbon.
Isaac and Shelton with their ribbon.
Isaac and Shelton with their ribbon.
As always, this family did a fine job feeding, trimming, and preparing these animals for the fair. They always work hard to be sure they look just right.
Here are all of us after the show except for our daughter, Colleen, who was taking the picture!
Here’s all of us except for Colleen who was taking the picture!
We sure enjoyed our time with this wonderful family and look forward to seeing them again next year.
