Winner Winner Chicken Dinner

After our early breakfast and coach ride to Charleville, most of the day was spent judging classes at their dairy show, which resembled a county fair complete with open-air grass show rings and deliciously flaccid french fries. In a series of several interesting plot twists, the extremely classy porta-potty flushed, we were served tea and scones before the contest began, and we were allowed to work together in our teams to judge classes ranging in size from one animal to fourteen.

Although we were intrigued and excited at the chance to pool our brainpower, we were kept on our toes (literally) running around the ring pursuing the ever-elusive and sometimes nonexistent identification numbers for the animals, as well as by Ian's ill-timed decision to become a mute in the middle of the contest. We also faced the challenge of speaking quietly or remaining silent for five hours straight, which we only endured by doodling dragons and unicorns between classes and with the help of an emergency delivery of chicken nuggets by Anne and Kiera.

Winner of the 3 year old Futurity and best udder in the show

After the contest, we had almost an hour left on the fairgrounds to explore, during which we got matching glittery unicorn tattoos (we decided that they are our team mascot). Though Cassidy opted out, Ian decided on a very stylish lavender color and Julia and Courtney stuck to classic blue. We then noticed a bungee-jumping-trampoline ride thingy on the midway and obviously had to try it. The fact that we got to do backflips twenty feet in the air while attached to giant bungee cords made the corresponding lack of circulation to our legs from the harnesses completely worth it.

To top off our thrilling day, we learned on the bus that we had won the judging contest, with Missouri 4-H in second and Kaskaskia Junior College in third. Even better, we got to the hotel with enough time for a trip to the pool, which was artfully adorned with Grecian statues suffering from wardrobe malfunctions, and for some sauna experimentation. By the way, we all chose the chicken for dinner tonight, hence the title of tonight's blog.

Quote of the day: "My reasons were totally baloney." --Abby Hopp (our friend from Minnesota FFA)
Also "My, my, my; would you look at those drapes." --Julia and Abby

Also, don't forget to check out our pictures as we travel around!  Here are the newest additions from Ireland: https://www.flickr.com/photos/marylanddairy2008/sets/72157644959573497/