Not one of my brighter moments.

**Highlander31** · 24th December 08, 01:54 PM

This morning was not one of my brighter moments. We live on the coast and I decided to walk the trail along the head this morning. It was raining, although not what we consider heavy (but then we measure rainfall by the foot not the inch.) I put on my tank with a woolly pully over my shirt and a hooded jacket, hose, boots, and headed out the door. I jumped in my rover and drove to the trail head.

The walk started out fine with a light rain falling as I enjoyed the scenery. About half way along the cliff trail with the waves crashing on the rocks 100' below, I noticed the sky turning dark and could see the squall line about a mile off the coast. I picked up my pace and felt I could be under the cover of the tree line before it hit. Approximately one minute later it hit. The wind was driving the rain horizontally in sheets causing my kilt to fly out flat like a pennant on a ship's mast. With my mind working at the speed of a rusty trap, I quickly ascertained that the remaining 300 to 400 yards to the tree line was about to become interesting. So,...doing my best Marilyn Monroe impression I soldiered on up the trail to the tree line.

When I arrived at the tree line I thought I heard someone snicker. I looked to my right and saw a deer and a Sasquatch having breakfast together. The Sasquatch immediately pointed to the deer who continued to eat his meal (judging by the grin on the Sasquatch's face, he was the one who snickered. He was probably getting even for my comment last week about his fur looking like an old rug.) I gave the Sasquatch the internationally understandable one finger salute and headed down the trail to the rover.

In retrospect, I should have worn my wool hiking trousers instead of the kilt. Yup,...not one of my brighter moments.

Merry Christmas to all.

**Skyelander** · 24th December 08, 02:20 PM

If you had been wearing the trousers, you would not have had such a funny story to tell. You will remember this event forever!

I had a similar experience on a tour recently on the Isle of Skye. We had stopped at the lighthouse (don't remember where) where' there is

a trail down to the lighthouse. On the return it was quite windy with an updraft from the ocean below. I had to be the last in line. It was like fighting with an inverted umbrella.

**GreenDragon** · 24th December 08, 02:20 PM

I, admittedly, am a bit of a hot-head so i would have had the same reaction, probably with some swearing. so don't feel so bad.

**Highlander31** · 24th December 08, 06:53 PM

Originally Posted by Skyelander

If you had been wearing the trousers, you would not have had such a funny story to tell. You will remember this event forever!

True. I've had a few moments over the years (one happened when I was a student pilot, but that's another story.) Each one tends to remind me of my place in the order of things.

Originally Posted by Skyelander

I had a similar experience on a tour recently on the Isle of Skye. We had stopped at the lighthouse (don't remember where) where' there is

a trail down to the lighthouse. On the return it was quite windy with an updraft from the ocean below. I had to be the last in line. It was like fighting with an inverted umbrella.

That's an accurate description.

Originally posted by GreenDragon
I, admittedly, am a bit of a hot-head so i would have had the same reaction, probably with some swearing. so don't feel so bad.

Hey,...being a bit of a hot-head can make for an exciting life.

**Riverkilt** · 26th December 08, 10:38 AM

Ya gotta love updrafts....

I've accumulated a fair collection of kilts in the wind pics. Thoughts of another book titled, So You Want To Wear The Kilt - only when you open this book there are pics of kilts in the wind.

Here's a pic of an updraft doing a number on my heavy brown leather Utilikilt in Mystery Valley, Utah.

If wind can Marilyn Monroe leather it can Marilyn Monroe wool Strome. Probably why you don't see kilted sailors much...they know!

Ron

**McFarkus** · 26th December 08, 10:56 AM

One of the things I like about wearing a traditional kilt with a sporran is that the sporran tends to preserve one's modesty, at least in front.

**McClef** · 26th December 08, 11:00 AM

How many people in trousers get to see a Sasquatch?

**Nick the DSM** · 26th December 08, 11:05 AM

sasquatch and deer eating breakfast? what did you eat last night?

**Riverkilt** · 26th December 08, 12:12 PM

Hey, I've had high winds "level" my sporrans - even full of stuff...only limited protection there...particularly in an updraft...sails are cloth and so are kilts...hard to see when your kilt is up in your face. Others see quite well though...what's that laughing??

Ron

**Highlander31** · 26th December 08, 12:29 PM

Originally Posted by Nick the DSM

sasquatch and deer eating breakfast? what did you eat last night?

I'll blame it on the turkey.

Although there have been documented sightings of Sasquatch in this area dating back to the the late 1800's. One of the more well known is the story of two gold miners who claimed they were attacked on their way back from their gold mine. They refused to go back into the wilderness. The mine has a rich vein, but its exact location is unknown. There have been several attempts to locate the mine over the decades, all to no avail.