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A Jack and a Jill Went up the Hill

This was only the second festival weekend for me this summer. Previously I gave up on the game plan of visiting one summer festival after another. I'm glad Leadville's Boom Days is one of my successes. Some people fit in so well with the historical look, you have to wonder what they do the rest of the year. I could live without the Doc Holliday and saloon girl schlock. Ahh, now this is better:

How resplendent she had been in the parade! Afterwards at a food booth, she dropped something and a man came running up to pick it up for her. I was fumbling with the camera, and didn't see it, but let's hope she repaid him with a little curtsy.  What a sap I am for anything archaic! What a loss it is to civilization that women no longer "wear" parasols. I'll bet they used to be as expressive with them as a dog is with its tail.

On Sunday it was time for the crowd-pleaser: the burro race up to Mosquito Pass. Just imagine running, walking, and pulling on that stubborn burro for 21 miles (round trip) and a 3000 foot altitude gain! (Burros, donkeys, and asses are three words for the same animal. The male is the jack, the female is the jennie.)

I had no idea how competitive this sport is. Those burros aren't just for looking cute. There was a shorter course for the women. But one woman was actually entered in the men's race. And look who came in as the winner!


She was the first woman to win the main race. Previously I had half-noticed that she was athletic, but I just didn't notice how athletic. I guess I'd spent all my time looking at her ass.

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