Cattle Auction

Last week we said good-bye to Bucky and Train Wreck, the steers we've had for about a year. Ben loaded the cows on the trailer and then was off for Salina. 

 The boys and I followed in the car - this cow thing started as a family adventure and would end as one too. None of us had ever been to the cattle auction in Salina before. It was fascinating and pretty fun!

 Ben got to the auction before us and had already unloaded the cows. So of course the first order of business was to find Bucky and Train Wreck. There they are, in pen 55! It was a bit sad to see them there - mooing and staring at us from behind the gate. We said "goodbye" again and then headed off to find some breakfast.

 I had no idea there was a cafe at the cattle auction - that was a fun surprise. The boys each ordered cinnamon rolls and chocolate milk.

 The rolls each arrived with a little tub of butter. The boys had never seen cinnamon rolls served with butter before, so Levi insisted on spreading butter all over his roll.

 Soon after we finished eating it was time for the auction to start.

 We sat near the top so we could see everything going on around us. The arena and auction were fascinating. For most of it I could have benefited from a translator, but at least I was able to follow what was going on.

 And then, after about 30 minutes or so, there were Bucky and Train Wreck!

 And then they were gone! Sold. The guy opened the gate, off they ran (happy to be able to get out of that strange room, I'm sure) and on to their next adventure.

 We left the arena and let the boys do some further exploring outside the auction. They wanted to see Bucky and Train Wreck loaded up, but that wasn't possible. Instead we watched a bull get loaded and decided to call it a day. Our cattle auction adventure was over.