Kilted in Colorado

**Norm** · 24th June 16, 08:11 PM

Wow... just got back from a short vacation in Colorado with my wife Elsa, total of six days traveling and checking out the beautiful scenery in that state. We even took a quick trip just inside of the border of Wyoming to the north, where I loaded up on fireworks at one of those year round warehouses

. We stayed in Pagosa Springs a couple nights, and three nights in Colorado Springs. The most beautiful place was Garden of the Gods just outside Colorado Springs. Spent the whole time (except during a worship service in Pagosa) on our trip wearing my utility kilts. They were awesome for the task! See photos below.

The most harrowing part of the trip was the hail storm that delivered quarter (a bit over one inch) sized hail stones in Colorado Springs; it was the goodness of the Lord that I found a spot to shelter our car just before the barrage began because it really dinged up the unsheltered cars with that yikky ball peen hammer look. One guy showed up on a motorcycle after being hammered by the hail. He pulled up his shirt to reveal nasty welts where he had been hit, like paintball impact hickeys. He had them on his leg, also. OUCH.

The kilts prompted a number of interesting conversations and comments, all positive. It was a blessed trip; so many sights and beautiful, green vistas. When we came back here, the desolate nature of this part of Arizona stood out in bold relief. Like wearing a kilt for a weekend, then having to go back to pants. You get spoiled.

Oh, by the way... I did not see a single kilted guy the whole trip, not even on the hiking trails at Garden of the Gods..... oil well.

All photos below are from Garden of the Gods except the last one, somewhere near St George, Colorado. I could just SMELL the topaz crystals in the area....

Norm

**Tarheel** · 25th June 16, 04:51 AM

Always glad to hear of your adventures Norm. Did you find any specimens during your trip (besides the fireworks)?

**tundramanq** · 25th June 16, 05:03 AM

"Colorful Colorado" is an apt motto.
I hear golf ball divots on your car increase gas mileage... I'll pass

**Norm** · 25th June 16, 10:49 AM

Originally Posted by Tarheel

Always glad to hear of your adventures Norm. Did you find any specimens during your trip (besides the fireworks)?

My wife and I stopped near Lake George on one of them forest service roads and found some nice granite pegmatite with pink feldspar crystals over an inch in size. Picked up several small boulders and dropped 'em in the trunk for our yard. That's all the rocks we picked up. Only later did I get a gem trails of Colorado book to see how many cool gem collecting areas we drove right through. Drove right by Mt. Antero. DROOL....

**Norm** · 25th June 16, 10:51 AM

Originally Posted by tundramanq

"Colorful Colorado" is an apt motto.
I hear golf ball divots on your car increase gas mileage... I'll pass

Hmmmm.. we decided to go with the slightly lower gas efficiency. Supercell thunderstorm signatures on my car; no thanks....

**Livingston** · 25th June 16, 11:29 AM

All the kilted guys were at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs the 18th & 19th for the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival. Looks like you had a good trip to this great state.

**Dughlas mor** · 25th June 16, 12:12 PM

Originally Posted by Norm

My wife and I stopped near Lake George on one of them forest service roads and found some nice granite pegmatite with pink feldspar crystals over an inch in size. Picked up several small boulders and dropped 'em in the trunk for our yard. That's all the rocks we picked up. Only later did I get a gem trails of Colorado book to see how many cool gem collecting areas we drove right through. Drove right by Mt. Antero. DROOL....

Amazonite with smokey quartz! Go back and get some of that!

**Norm** · 25th June 16, 03:40 PM

Originally Posted by Livingston

All the kilted guys were at Memorial Park in Colorado Springs the 18th & 19th for the Pikes Peak Celtic Festival. Looks like you had a good trip to this great state.

I had a couple people ask if I was a part of the Celtic festival. Told 'em nope; just like the comfort of a kilt. Seems like I just missed it, though.