THE ARENA BAR

in southeastern Arizona, in the town of benson is a establishment that has become a institution. the arena bar.  a old frame run down bar sits right next to the arena where team ropers, and rodeo rodeo contestants can ride up to the window, holler through to the bar and order a beer, mixed drink or a meal.. it has been there for as long as I can remember.  I first started competing there in the early 70 s.  it has been owned by more different people than I can count. but it keeps right on clicken along, thru good times and bad. the arena has been rebuilt, modified and turned around more times than anyone can count.  currently it is the home of the benson annual rodeo. plus there are weekend ropins and rough stock events held periodicly.  its always a great place to compete and EVERYONE goes there. one mid summer nite we  were entered in a team roping there. my daughter and her children were there sitting in the grand stands with the mrs.  along about 10 o clock  a big bus type r v pulled into the parking lot. no one paid much attention because being right off I 10 there was always r v s commin and goin. I was in the arena competing and watching the roping pretty close as I was in the runnin for some cash. pretty soon a heard a shriek and lookin to the grand stands. my daughter was standing pointing to a fellow who was hot footing it to the bus. I loped my horse to the fence  to see what was wrong. my daughter and wife were pointing to the bus and stammering  . whats wrong I ask. my daughter explains that the man came from the bus, dressed in wranglers, tee shirt and baseball cap.  flip flops on his feet. evidently, he had set next to them for quit a while before they noticed it was Dwight yoakom.  when my daughter let out the squawk he decided to be a thousand miles from no where! as the bus pulled out and left I was finally getting the rest of the story. poor guy just wanted to watch a ropin.