Oregon vacation

[TheKiltedCoder]

Good Evening, All,

Well, the Oregon vacation that I'd mentioned in a couple of other threads has been upon us for the last 4 or 5 days (this is being written in a motel room in Newport that DIRECTLY overlooks the Pacific ocean, with Barber's "Adagio for Strings" on the iPod), and I thought I'd send out an update for those that are interested.

When I packed, I purposefully didn't pack any Bifurcated Garments (save for a pair of sweats to use as PJ's when required). Going through security at O'Hare was a little interesting (it seems that the buckles on the SWK kilts are ferric, and set off the metal detector). So, as I'm putting my sporran and belt back on, I notice a grandmother pointing at me and explaining the concept of a kilt to her granddaughter. Once we arrived at our gate, I was stopped and complemented by a local cop who was traveling as well. From his perspective, he was talking mainly about the pipers who played at police functions, but was complimentary of my kilt in an of itself.

So, we get on the airplane, get to Portland, drive to Newport, and spend the next couple of days contributing to the local economy. The first morning we're out, another gentleman pulls up in his pickup next to me, leans out past his girlfriend, and give me a thumbs-up.

Finally, last night, we went to a local Irish shop, and I was complimented for being the most "natural Kilt wearer" that the owner of the shop had yet seen. This compliment actually made me feel the best yet, as, when I started the trip, I was still a little self-conscious about being kilted in public. I wanted to take the opportunity of the trip to just get it our of my system once and for all. And, from what she said, it looks like I succeeded.

So, no kilt checks (that I've noticed), and (oddly enough) the majority of the compliments have been from guys this time around.

Further bulletins as events warrant.

[Rogerson785]

That is a great vacation story. I own a few acres in Grants Pass Oregon, never been there just inherited it from my estranged father, perhaps I will make it out there before I retire from the army in 2009.

[Riverkilt]

Kilted photos on the beach please....

Ron
Who was raised up in Portland....I think...so dang foggy and cloudy couldn't see for sure where I was all those years.

[Alaskan Kilted Guy]

I have relatives in the area. I just gotta warn ya on the wind. I inadvertantly flashed who knows how many folks there in my Amerikilt one time. Hopefully the SWK does better for you. Enjoy your vacation.

[Stratherrick]

Good on ya, AKG!

I'm off to Inverness for the weekend where, I suppose, it's a tad more likely I'll bump into another kilt wearer. Oh, come to think of it, I'm going to the Forres Highland Games tomorrow - loadsa kilts there!

Keep us updated with your exploits!

Cheers

Bruce

[vmac3205]

Although I live in Vancouver, Washington (which is just across the Columbia River from Oregon) I am a member of S.N.O.B which is the Society of Native Oregon Born. I was born and raised and still own an orchard in the Hood River Valley. When you get back to PDX for your return flight, don't miss the Scottish Country Shop, on Powell Blvd.

[MrLion]

The family and I enjoy visiting Newport!
Hope the sea lions are out on the pier to look at.
Enjoy your vacation.
Where are you traveling from (home)?
Steve

[vmac3205]

And as my friend, Mr Lion should have mentioned (bad Lion) there is the unmatchable Kilt and Thistle in his fair city of Salem.

[Kilted_John]

Yep, IIRC, @ 155 Liberty ST NE... Bought my Armstrong kilt (the one in my avatar) from them...

-J

[TheKiltedCoder]

And as my friend, Mr Lion should have mentioned (bad Lion) there is the unmatchable Kilt and Thistle in his fair city of Salem.

Hi, All,

Part 2:

After tooling back and forth for a bit, we've ended out in Ashland to watch some very good Shakespere. Yesterday, we ended out going to the big 4th of July parade here in town, and just barely missed the opportunity to say "Hi" to an older gent wearing what appeared to be a UK. We watched the parade (which included the local pipers), and toddled off to see the sights.

Several of the locals, seeing me in my NightStalker, assumed that I had to be associated with the pipers from the parade, and I was complimented on how well we sounded. Seeing no point in arguing, I just politely thanked and went on my way. After having seen several of the booths that had been set up, the daughter (2 1/2 years old) started thinking nap thoughts, and, as we started heading back to the motel, I came across a batch of the aforementioned pipers, hanging out at one of the outdoor tables for a local restaurant. We chatted for a few, and I admitted that I'd started taking piping lessons, at which point I was drafted, and pipers were sent out to make arrangements for local lodging and professional positions for my wife and me. It took a few to talk them down: it seems they have a hard time filling their ranks.

I've been GREATLY amused that, contrary to my experience back home (in Chi-town), the vast majority of compliments I've been getting in Oregon have been from guys. The girls may look, but the guys have been the ones coming up and saying "Nice kilt!". The jerk-to-decent-guy ration has even been very favorably skewed (I've only had one jerk so far: some individual who was drunk and began blathering about the location of my pipes when he saw me).

As soon as I get a chance to get the pictures sorted, I'll get some up for all to see. Unfortunately, I didn't get any from the beach: I'm the photographer in the family, and am usually the guy BEHIND the camera, not in front (as you all will see with regard to the highly natural poses I take when in front of the camera).

Probably one more post to wrap things up either Monday night or Tuesday (and, of course, the pics).