Let the Count Down Begin Again!!

The state fair has come and gone already...how sad. The weather was absolutely gorgeous and the nights.... well interesting....

Adam placed 5th with his Berk Gilt in the breeding show and ended up getting her sold in the sale that night.

The A3 Company, Al Conover, Al Christian, and Adam Conover... :-) brought down a truckload and unfortunately had 2 pigs weigh too much and only brought one spare. They were disqualified from the truckload show, but we were able to show the individual. He placed 6th in his class.

ISU took down a Berk truckload and had reserve champion purebred truckload. They showed two individuals and placed 5th and 6th.

Overall it was a pretty good time. I was able to attend a FREE concert with the "Canadians" Lee and Wayne, while we waited for Adam to get out of his annual Iowa Berk Meeting. The concert was called "Country Gold". I think I was one of the few under 40 and not in a wheel chair or having hearing aids.... but it was great!! I only knew one of the acts... LeRoy Van Dike...but the rest were AMAZING!! Steve and Rudy Gatlin (two of the Gatlin Brothers), Helen Cornelius, and David Frizzell also performed. Adam and his dad and step-mom came up and caught the last bit of the concert. Adam came to sit with us, but Al and Jeanne ended up getting to go back stage... b/c yes, they know LeRoy!! I was somewhat jealous... how cool would it have been to actually meet them!! :-) LeRoy sings the "Auctioneer Song", which turned out to be a true story about his cousin...and I joke and tell Al I listen to it and "practice" to take over the family business!! :-) After the concert we went to the Machine Shed in Des Moines... It turns out that Adam and Al are now selling purebred Berkshire meet to the restaurant served in two and three bone sections, stuffed or not. People have been eating it like crazy!! Which is good! Anything to help promote the hog market!! :-) There were 6 of us at the table and I was the only one who didn't order pork.... I went with the tried and true chicken. :-) I did try the pork and it was actually really good!! But it was definitely a lot!!

The place mats at the table were designed by Al and Jeanne. They explain the history of the breed and have an amazing picture that Al and Jeanne found on one of their trips. Even at the bottom it specifically talks about Adam and his family!! :-) Very Cool!

I saw quite a few co-workers and their children walking around. Julie said she was tucking Ryan into bed and he asked if she thought I was tucked into my bed in the pig barn. Since they stopped and saw us that day and saw our beds in the barn! :-) I took them to "play" with the gilt in the avenue of breeds b/c she loved to be scratched and had such a good temperament!! I think they both had fun!

I think my favorite part was taking a new Berk to the Avenue of Breeds and watching the goats jump over the fences! Sorry goat people, but it was HILARIOUS! I'd heard of it happening but have never seen it happen before! I didn't realize goats were as scared of pigs as they are!! :-)

I think we were all sad to see the fair come to an end, but definitely ready for next years!! "Non-Stop Fun"...definitely a fitting theme for 2010!!