Omak Stampede

14th August 2004

Back east again for another rodeo!
This time the Omak Stampede and World Famous Suicide Race.

(Click on the images to view larger versions)

Very long (four hour) drive to the east of Washington (desert country)

We arrived at Omak - a small town.

The temperatures were in the 100s - even the horses were roasted.

Karen had to wear her hat.

The rodeo also included an Indian Encampment. A dance competition for the local Native American Tribes.

Karen realises that her hat doesn't actually stand out against the local garb. >>>

Karen, a very small dot at the foot of the Suicide Hill. This is the very steep drop that the riders race down (and the river they cross).

The Rodeo started later that night.

After a short break where all the lights went out (and there were mad bulls roaming about), the rodeo finished for the evening.

It was followed by a dance.
Both kinds of music in these parts....

We camped right beside the rodeo - very warm and very noisy. With the occasional fight during the night.