The Flight of the Saltire

[BroosterB1]

Some good news this morning; the bodies of Richard Abruzzo and his co-pilot Carol Rymer Davis were found this week end. The Abruzzo family will escort Richard back to be interred next to his father who also passed in an aircraft accident.

The Saltaire will soon be off on further adventures. God Bless her flight of friendship.

[Panache]

To the Ladies and Gentlemen of XMTS,

Today the XMTSAS Saltire came home.

It is with mixed feelings that I opened the package that held her. So many miles she has travelled, so many wonderful places and people she has seen. It seems so long ago that I wrote the original story that introduced her to our forum and build this small representation for Big Mikey to take with him along his trip back to Canada.

So many changes since then.

One thing I am very glad is that she managed to hold true to her mission and has well indeed "Travelled in Friendship" all over the globe.

Perhaps a discussion should take place if she should continue on, or that maybe some new symbol in keeping with the new XMTS take her place. I suspect that she would find a good home in Storrington with a certain kilted gentleman I know.

But this is a talk for another day. Now I will read her log book and smile at all the special people that she has met along her flight.

I doff my plumed hat to you all

Sincerely

Jamie

[Zardoz]

Perhaps a discussion should take place if she should continue on, or that maybe some new symbol in keeping with the new XMTS take her place.

I enjoyed seeing our airship's travels here, and was so proud to have hosted her in Texas, but I'll agree with Jamie on this.
Perhaps it was fitting that the wee Saltire is a dirigible, an anachronistic symbol of things past. As he observes, things are different now, perhaps it's time for a new symbol.

:blimp:

[Jock Scot]

I enjoyed seeing our airship's travels here, and was so proud to have hosted her in Texas, but I'll agree with Jamie on this.
Perhaps it was fitting that the wee Saltire is a dirigible, an anachronistic symbol of things past. As he observes, things are different now, perhaps it's time for a new symbol.

:blimp:

You raise a fair point there Mr Z, but you know I think sometimes it is best to keep things as they are. The "Saltire" epitomises everything that is good about this website and in my humble opinion if it is at all possible, it should be allowed to become even more a part of this international web site's future, as well as its past------in fact, just like the kilt in many ways.

[BoldHighlander]

You raise a fair point there Mr Z, but you know I think sometimes it is best to keep things as they are. The "Saltire" epitomises everything that is good about this website and in my humble opinion if it is at all possible, it should be allowed to become even more a part of this international web site's future, as well as its past------in fact, just like the kilt in many ways.

Hear! Hear!

[Canuck]

I believe it's good to want something more, but frankly, I think the ship has fulfilled it's goal of bringing friends together.
It's time for the next generation to take over, a challenge if you will, to come up with something as good if not better.
I recommend that this Saltire retire, I speak from one who has been here since this board has been formed, I cannot think of a better place than with the Kollection. Hamish has amassed a rather unique collection of kilts from many makers and that collection will be documented and preserved for the future scholars to study. That's where this Saltire should rest.
Maybe it's time for an XMarks Flag to make the rounds, or until such time we can find something else unique to keep this community strong and supportive.
Another idea is a quilt, made of tartan left over from one of your kilts. Each person gets to add a square as it tours the world.
Panache has started something, but there are many on this forum who are just as creative to keep the energy going.
I may be a little jaded but it's time for something new.
Retire it whilst it still has good memories.
Cheers
Robert

[BroosterB1]

While the future of the wee ship is being decided here are just a few snaps that I had in my phone that I figured out how to up load to Photobucket.

Here the air ship is helping out at a wedding cermony in the Jemez Moutains. The "vestments" here are a sage smudg for a four winds blessing.




Later that same day in Chimayo, we stop for refreshments. The Prickly Pear Lemonaide was fantasic.



Cheers!ith: