our journey has just begun...: what happens at the chili cook off stays at the chili cook off

When we found out that we were moving to Terlingua Texas Bradwell got SUPER SUPER EXCITED that we would be here for the International Chili Cook Off. I laughed at him.
The Casi International Chili Cook Off, is the Chili Cook Off of all Chili Cook Off's. Over 15,000 people come to Terlingua Texas and camp out for a week just to be here. I~~ts basically a big redneck festival.~~
As Bradwell was trying to sell me on going to the Chili Cook Off; I told him I would go only because I get to eat chili. He looked at me in complete shock and very seriously told me 'Oh no! you don't eat chili at a chili cook off!' Well what is the point of going to a chili cook off if you don't get to eat chili?!?
Let me tell you. I made fun of this event for months, even more so when I found out that you don't eat chili. But this event was amazing! ~~I hate to admit it but it is true~~
A few years back they split the chili cook off into 2; one is the mature adult one and the other is the crazy wild party one. So of course we went to the crazy wild party side =)
We got our bands and found a nice spot and set up camp! We were the most low tech site in our area. We had a fire pit, a tent and our truck. The next four days we stayed at the Chili Cook Off except for when we had to work =(
There were costume contests, pet parades, contest on decorating the best camp, porta-potty, golf cart. All sorts of things. We stayed and tried to be part of everything we could but unfortunately work sometimes got in the way.
Reina puppy was a great sport through this whole thing. She would run around all day and night with us and would keep guard in the truck as we slept {I don't think she slept for 4 days}
We actually were able to be at the chili cook off itself!! Not as exciting as I thought it would be, especially since you can't taste the chili. ~~yes I am still bitter about that~~ We almost got to be a judge but signed up too late. As they were judging the chili other vendors set up and had carnival activities to keep the spectators
Overall it was an experience and it was definitely something that I wont ever forget!