Afton, Wyoming is a classic small town of the Rocky Mountain west. It was one of the destinations along the LOTOJA route which we visited while driving support for Tate this year. We stopped for gas and a hot dog at Rulon's Burger Barn and had no idea were were on hallowed ground as far as the people of Afton were concerned. The proprietor was none other than Rulon Gardner, Olympic Gold Medalist in Greco-Roman Wrestling (Sydney, Australia - 2000).
Rulon became a national hero when he beat Aleksandr Karelin of Russia in the gold medal match. Karelin completely dominated the sport: he had been undefeated in 13 years of international competition, and hadn't given up a single point in the 6 years of competition leading up to his match with Gardner in the finals. Nobody gave this Mormon farm-boy from Wyoming the slightest chance. They were practically passing out the gold medal to Karelin before the match began. Fortunately Rulon didn't worry about what the pundits were saying. Booyah!
I've got to be honest in saying the hot dog was only marginal. Now days you don't see this style of urinal as often. It's a pity. Is there a porcelain shortage that nobody told me about?
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| A Big Reid iPhone shot of the picture on the wall: Karelin vs. Gardner I sill remember the match |
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