It was a great day at the fair – not too many people and temps at 92. In 1983 August 16 was the hottest day on record at 108 degrees! Glad it wasn’t today.
I looked at the quilts, the butter cow, the vegetables, the entertainment stage, the horses, evidently the goats had gone home or I just couldn’t find them, the agriculture learning center, the varied industries building, the farm machinery, the food stands of which I can’t say I had anything to brag about, the beer looked good and cold but I was driving. I walked 12,000+ steps according to my step counter and was home by 6 pm.
This is how my morning started however – I caught an opossum in my live trap and of course the dogs went crazy!
Off he went to be unloaded at Eagle Lake State Park not far from my house.
All before 7 am.
Glad you had a fun day at the Iowa State Fair. I’ll trade you for a mother and four baby raccoons! Lol!
Rita – oh no! Can you live trap them and move them?
HaHaHa…What a morning! It looked like a young one, so maybe it won’t find its way home.
Glad you had such a great day at the fair. I can’t go anymore. Just way too much standing and walking now for me. And, too hot. I do miss it though.
Sue in Oregon – yes, I believe it was a juvenile and he’ll live a great life at the state park in the woods. The fair was lots of time on my feet and two years ago I couldn’t go with two bad knees so I really enjoyed my day!
Don’t you just love a fair? I hope to go to a small community fair next week- I go mainly to walk through the animal barns and see all the critters. This year I’ll go on Senior Day and will play some bingo.. That’s what we old ladies do, ha ha!
I’m glad you had an enjoyable day!
Could the opossum been catching your chickens?
Debbie Miller – if they were killed at night, yes, but those who disappeared during daylight hours had to be a bird of prey, fox, something that isn’t afraid of attacking in an open space like my yard. I count the chickens all the time these days! There SHOULD be 21.
Glad you went to the fair. Are you going back another day? It was so big 60 years ago. I can’t imagine what it is now. How much does it cost to get into the Fairgrounds? Do they still tell you where to park by helicopter? Or something more 21st century?
Our weather has cooled off a bit and even more the next couple days…. and maybe some rain. We have had several small fires. Since the Rally started they have had paramedics and firemen stationed all over the hills. If a fire starts they can be right on it. And they have. There is the fire up by Lame Deer, MT which is pretty large. One started last night near Wasta, SD by a truck hauling hay that caught fire. It has closed the Interstate at times. Right now the Rally attendence is 525,000 bikers, but that could change. Lots of people. I always think money when they go by. The bookkeeper in me wonders just how much money is invested in all the huge motor homes, bikes, campers, etc AND how much is paid for.
I can’t wait til spring when you get baby chicks. They are just so cute.
Take care. Betty in Rapid City
Betty K – nope, not going back again till next year – I hate the drive! Parking is $10 and they direct each vehicle. Admission is $14 but today on senior day it was only $10 for us old folks. I really loved it but now I’m behind a day in my work. Yes, i walked several miles today and it was so much fun!
A day at the fair is such fun. My significant daughter in law and I went 2 years ago and wasn’t paying great attention to the signs. We were so enchanted at the alpacas, somehow ended up in their parade! I told her to wave at the folks recording the animals and first chance we got to hightail it out. When we met up with the fellows we told them all about being in the alpaca parade. What fun.
Someday I hope to make a quilt and use alpaca wool for batting.
Betty K., I’m so thankful you reported the hills have fire personnel stationed. I worry about the bikers fires getting out of control every year.
It had been planned for months that several groups of paramedics, firemen and police from different parts of the country were all here for training. They were doing their training and if there was a local emergency, they got hands-on training. As you probably know, they are all taught to do things the same way. That way when working with people from other areas, it goes smoothly. I think they said that Sturgis had 10 policemen come from other areas to help, too. Some do it every year. I think it gets in their blood.
Wonderful to be in an alpaca parade! They are beautiful animals.
Betty
Betty K – and how are the fires near you? Under control?
To my knowledge, the fires around here have all been small–nothing like California. The fire by Wasta, about 40 miles from RC, was 80% contained the last I heard. Firefighters
from 15 different towns, including Ellsworth AFB, were on it FAST. The fire at Lame Deer is about 200 miles from RC. I think it has been burning for about 2 weeks (?) and that was about 5500 acres the last I heard. If homes are in danger, the helicopters and planes are called in to drop slurry.
Jo in Wyoming – what a great story! An alpaca parade!
Mary, there’s no fair like the Iowa State fair ❤️
I usually head straight for the Iowa Pork Producers food stand but this year the line was waaay too long so I had to miss out. We got the bacon wrapped pork rib on a stick at the beer vendor next to the pork producers, it was very tasty! I also like the apple pie egg rolls, the free hard boiled eggs in the Ag building and of course, can’t leave without a bucket of chocolate chip cookies from the Varied Industries building. I definitely make my financial contribution when I’m at the fair.
How did you know there was a possum to be caught????
Susie Q – the night before I walked to the barn about 10 pm and caught the possum eating the cat food that I had forgotten to put away! I grabbed Hazel and returned to the house, set the trap the next night and he was in the trap the next morning. Possums are very beneficial animals because they eats loads of ticks but I can’t have one living in my barn!
Never been to the Iowa State fair but to the Spencer fair quite a bit. We have been to Huron for the
South Dakota state fair a few times. Oh , yes, my siblings and I showed Brown Swiss cows at the O’Brien County fair in Primghar. We belonged to 4-H. For some reason I remember a girl came to
the fair with white bell bottom pants on. That was the first time I saw that style. High 80’s here. Will get in the 90’s again a couple days. Chance of rain here in SE South Dakota. Hope so as cracks in the soil are still so big. My one hosta is on an island! Worked outside watering and weeding. It seems weeds grow a lot faster than the flowers even without rain. Working on binding 3 quilts that I had done last year. A little behind schedule. Am glad no more chickens gone. Hope that continues.
Glenda – I love the Spencer fair, too, and will plan on going – probably alone since nobody else wants to go!
Oh I wish I had a possum! They eat an insane amount of ticks!!! I hate seeing roadkill of any kind ( especially the poor pets and lately chickens belonging to people who clearly don’t care), but I feel the loss of every possum.
Carla – I know how beneficial possums are and would not kill one but instead relocate about 6 miles away. Why are chickens roadkill? You mean the owner turned them loose on the highway? Possums will kill chickens given the opportunity.
Mary,
Yesterday two firemen were testing their/our pool pump. Showed my husband a cell phone picture of a BLACK WOLF CHASING AN ELK ABOUT 1/2 mile past our house that morning…so now we are more vigilant watching when Pepper is outside! We sometimes hear them howl!
Nice you enjoyed the fair! It is 47o out with 80% humidity….praying for rain! Trail Creek Fire received helicopter 🚁 water dumps again yesterday. Moved a little, but we are still here!
Looked outside last night and a huge herd of Elk were @ the mineral licks. This morning some Elk cows n their calves were visiting the licks. Fun to see the young ones romping around before running up the mountain.
Launa, I think I finally figured out where you live. How close are you to Montana? And are you surrounded by the continental divide on 3 sides? It must be a beautiful place to live. When did the Trail Creek Fire start? It has to be horrible wondering every minute if you are going to have to leave? We are all thinking about you. Take care.
My daughter in law took my grandson to the fair yesterday. She said he liked the butter cow and the petting zoo. Of course they had to get a picture of him sitting in a John Deere since his dad works for them. I’ll send a picture.
The Texas state fair isn’t until October. That way the weather is much cooler but rain is always an issue. My family used to go every year and brought our picnic to eat in the car. We always had cold fried chicken, potato salad, and an oatmeal cake with broiled icing. Oh the memories!
Hi Mary, I am playing catchup on your blog.I am so sorry to read of the losses of your animals.And yes losing our pets is so very hard but i would not have a reason to get up each morning with out my girls.
I have not been to the Iowa State fair for years.Can not do the heat.
I do love the Spencer fair. We would camp there for several days and go each day to the fair. i miss going there also but going alone would not be the same as going with Tom.
We finally got rain last night. Hardin co was in the severe drought.
I am starting my fall deep cleaning. One room at a time so I can bring out my fall decorations.
Have a happy day Judy
Judy Jaques – I’m hoping to go to the Spencer Fair, too! We also got rain last night – thank you, Lord!
Opossums eat hundreds of ticks. It’s good to have them on the property.