Because it couldn’t be more American, I couldn’t resist when Justin suggested we visit the Washington State Fair. We journeyed down to Puyallup, which is not pronounced how it’s spelled and doesn’t seem to have much to boast if besides being home of the fair.

Inside the busing gates we found the obligatory halls of livestock and piglets, which really are quite adorable.

Then off to the corral in time for mutton busting. Watching small children cling for dear life to the back of a startled sheep–whoever thought of that was a genius.

Then began a marathon meal of fair food. Think Michelin-starred tasting menu, only every course is fried and eaten only after waiting in line for 45 minutes…

First the amuse-bouche: cups of fresh milk from the dairy…

…followed by a corn dog with mustard…

…and a plate of fried zucchini…

…quick digestion detour to the quilt barn…

…and then hot scones with raspberry jam…

…and finally back to the dairy barn–originally for ice cream, but prudence counselled a scaled back option of chocolate milk.

There was talk of roller coasters and other rides, but we quickly came to a consensus that whirling activities are best undertaken before multiple courses of fair food–so off to home and bed.