I made a whirlwind trip to western Kansas. Was on the road for 16 hours, in my hometown for 15.

It was as close to rodeoing as most folks might get, and it’s pretty far from rodeoing. For cowboys and cowgirls, 15-hour stays are rare, especially in the heat of the season when there might be two rodeos to get to in one day. Most of their time is spent behind a windshield, heading from one rodeo to another.

Once at their location of choice, there’s usually enough time to get stretched and ready, get their horse prepared, and those moments of competition. Then it’s back to loading the vehicle and putting more miles on the rig.

Rodeo folks deserve all the good they get. Actually, most deserve better.