Wow! What a summer it has been. I can’t believe that summer is almost over. So here is a recap of my amazing summer. I started the summer off in Cherokee, IA. My Mom and I woke up bright and early for the six hour drive to Cherokee. We arrived just in time to unload the car and meet up with Heidi Gansen, Miss Rodeo Iowa 2011, and Paige Overson, Miss Rodeo Minnesota 2011, and head to the arena. There we meet with Tally Roepke, Miss Rodeo Cherokee 2010, and the newly crowned Miss Rodeo Cherokee 2011,Kearsten Brown. Then it was off to to help with the mutton busting and calf scramble. After all the kids events were over they asked the queens to line up on the starting line and turned to more calves out! It was our turn to see who was the fastest! Kearsten took the prize getting the handkerchief off the first calf. Then with the help of Heidi we cornered the last one and I was able to get the second
handkerchief! Barns Rodeo Company put on a spectacular rodeo that night! It was my first time at a rodeo in Cherokee and let me tell you they know what it takes to put on a great rodeo! The next morning we attended a meeting of the Cherokee Chamber of congress and got to meet the people who work hard year round to make this rodeo possible. Around noon we meet up at the Dodge dealer on the edge of town for some great burgers and meet some of the towns’ people and committee members. After a great lunch we went to a local nursing home and visited with some of the residents. It is always a great feeling seeing their faces light up as we talked about the rodeo and everything going on in town. Many residents had stories of their own experiences at the Cherokee Rodeo. That night we signed autographs for the fans as 
they came in the gate. Also that night a very good friend Kodi Hansen was able to make it to the rodeo. Kodi and I have went to rodeos together for many years and then went opposite directions for college, it made the Cherokee rodeo that much more special to catch up with a long lost friend. Saturday morning we were all up bright and early for a radio interview. It was my first time in a radio studio and was a very fun interview! Then we headed to the train depot for lunch and to watch the train robbery re-enactment. It was a great show! That afternoon was the parade. A float was provided for us to ride on. Other then it being EXTREMELY hot the parade was a great time. It was relieving to get back to the air conditioned hotel! That night was another great night of rodeo action! Then Sunday morning we started the long drive home. Wanted to say a big thank you to the Cherokee rodeo committee for inviting me to be a part of their rodeo! 
