Belknap Livestock Auction. http://belknaplivestock.com draws a lot of Amish folks from nearby Smicksburg. Rabbits for fifty cents, dented produce.
All kinds of crazy goes on there. A friend of mine bought his son a pony there, thinking he’d gotten a fantastic deal. Then he realized he had to get it home. Trailering cost about what he paid for the pony, which was a stallion that tried to kill anyone who got near it. Another few hundred to geld it. Finally gave it away. Moral: do not drunk-auction.
We like to put kayaks in the Allegheny at Millvale and paddle down to the point. Maybe get a home run ball. Down the Ohio a bit is a small tributary you can paddle up, tunneling under the roadway (scary at night).
Then paddle up the Mon and stop at Station Square for a quick beer or three at The Gandy Dancer.
I bought a mini horse at an auction (personal property auction, not livestock). He, too, cost as much to trailer the 10 miles home as he cost ($70, IIRC). His poor feet were in such bad shape it took the farrier over a year to get him walking on them the way he should. Sort of like this. But I knew going into his purchase that he was a rescue, not a kid’s pony.
Unfortunately, the Littlerest Briston had a really bad night, so this household didn’t get much sleep. There’s no way we’re going 700 miles while this tired, so naps will be needed today, which will alter the departure time.
I really appreciate everyone’s suggestions – we make this trip every year, so I’ll be revisiting a lot of these. Thanks much!
