Gettin’ cowboy and crabby

Nicci and Crab and Fennel Fest

Living in the country there is no shortage of excitement, mis-happenings and slip-ups, especially when you least expect it. It’s tradition that every year we attend the Sonoma County Farm Bureau Crab Feed.  Last Saturday night as my mom, dad and I head out the door, looking forward to cracking some crab we hear a clanking sound up in the barn that does just not sound right. After tromping up the hill in my cowboy boots I get to the top to see a female heifer poke her head out of the barn, she had somehow gotten out.

Now over the years this has happened many times so it’s usually no problem. We get a few bodies, post up at the gates and our German Sheppard and round them back into the pasture. But this cow was not having it. She ran around the vineyard for a few minutes, bloody nose and all. Finally we get her down to the gate and she is heading straight towards my mom, ready for a stand off.

We will never know why she chose to go through my mom and out onto the road, maybe she was just looking for a little excitement. Very rarely does one of the cows ever get on the road–I can remember only one other time that this has happened and it is never a good thing. Westside Road is known for wineries, pretty scenery and rolling hills–not three crazy people running around trying to find their lost cow. Finally we find her running back towards the pasture on the road being following by three other cars. I can only imagine what these people are thinking.  Eventually we get her back into the pasture, home safe and sound, I’m sure she is already planning her next escape.

Time for the main event. My grandpa is a seasoned veteran so he always remembers to bring the crab crackers and picks, it makes eating crab a lot more enjoyable. Following dinner is the ever popular live auction where you can bid on everything from  a trip to Las Vegas to a wilderness pig hunt to a dinner for 10 in the Kunde wine cave. Just be sure not to wave your bidder number if you don’t intend to bid… ops! The night’s emcee was Ziggy the Wine Gal, who I absolutely love and follow her “Wine of the Week” on Bob 96.7 FM religiously. The event’s auctioneer was Rex Williams. With 25 years in the business Rex is a respected fixture on the livestock and fair circuits.  We had our full of pasta, salad, clam chowder and of course crab. Looking forward to next year!