A wonderful trip to dance and socialize!

**Arlen** · 18th March 09, 08:31 AM

Well, while I did not celebrate St. Patrick's day like so many of you did, I id spend a wonderful weekend in Oregon/Washington visiting CaptMac and VMac and dancing my feet off.

This weekend was the Portland dance group's ball and C and V Mac were kind enough to let Diane and I stay with them. They are absolutely incredible hosts and I can honestly say we can't wait to see them again.
We were warmly welcomed on Friday night with tea and a dram (Whisky and delicious Cranberry Cordial) to soothe us after the 9 hour drive.
As tired as we were, we conversed for some time and generally felt like we were in the bosom of family.
On Saturday we perfected our dancing all morning and had such a fantastic time at the ball that evening we honestly didn't want it to end.

So, in celebration, here are a few pictures from the weekend.

Hector and Molly welcomed us and were some of the sweetest dogs any of us have ever met.
Here is our friend Kevin contemplating what a spacious and fun 'LIVE' sporran Molly would make.

CaptMac and VMac both looked absolutely fantastic at the ball. VMac made that gorgeous doublet!

And Vmac danced beautifully.

As did Kevin, when CaptMac was kind enough to lend him a shirt since he forgot his.

Diane looked beautiful in her understated dress (People kept stepping on her ballgown last year so she wanted to save them from tripping.)
And we made a new friend in Darrick and connected with Mary who we met at Asilomar.

At the end of the weekend Molly did her best to look sad and convince us to stay.

Those are all the Kilted pictures I have, but I will soon be posting a few more, because I received a very generous gift,
Captmac grew out of a Kilt Vmac made hime (The ONLY Kilt made by VMAC!)
and very kindly gave it to me. It's an absolutely gorgeous Kilt made with really soft, high quality Pendleton wool.
My M-I-L is adjusting the straps for me just now and as soon as she is done I'll gladly model it.

So thank you for a wonderful weekend and I hope everyone here enjoys the pictures!

**Panache** · 18th March 09, 08:37 AM

Arlen,

It sounds like a wonderful weekend!

Kudos to CaptMac and VMac for being such wonderful host

Diane is as fetching as always.

A contingent of the San Jose class members made it up to the ball and thought it was a really splendid affair, I even spied three of them in your photos!

I will send them a link to this thread.

They all felt it was very much worth the trip up, hmmm maybe next year?

Cheers

Jamie

**Sheep In Wolf's Clothing** · 18th March 09, 08:49 AM

That looks like a great time. All of those kilts looked great!
Thanks for posting the pics of your great trip!
Sara

**Jock Scot** · 18th March 09, 08:51 AM

Looks as though you are settling in well over there Arlen.I am so pleased for you. Great pictures too.

**Arlen** · 18th March 09, 08:51 AM

Indeed, Jamie, I even met some of the San Jose folk and danced with a lovely lady of your acquaintance! (And a wonderful dancer she was.)
Diane and I are toying with the idea of going to the upcoming youth weekend after speaking to James from the Livermore youth dancers. We'll see how that pans out.

If you do make it next year we'll have to have a brewery meeting since I just found out the beer doesn't actually cause any Coeliac issues with me and I can drink it again!

**meinfs** · 18th March 09, 09:12 AM

Sounds like a great time was had! Thanks for sharing the pictures. Where are you in the pics?? [The occupational hazard of being the photographer, you usually are not in the photos...

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