Kilted vacation to Virgina

[Yodhan]

INMHO the very essense of a vacation is to throw all caution to the wind and enjoy it to the fullest with no worries. To me, a kilt would only enhance the vacation experience. Obviously, you would be a tourist anyway. Have a little fun with it and speak with an unintelligible Scottish accent just to throw 'em off. That would trully be a memorable vacation in my book!

I would do that, but my Scottish mother would probably beat me. She doesn't mind if I slip in to an accent if we are actually over there, but when I do it in the States, she hates it.

I do, however, intend to enjoy it and not care what people say.

[David H]

Recently, my family and I went to Bryce Resort to stay in a cabin for a week. It is not far from Harrisonburg. I wore my Henderson tank (16 oz) to the Easter Brunch at the resort as well as hiking around Lake Laura. No problems. I did have a few people look at me with approval. You should not have a problem.

[fluter]

I have travelled the length of the Valley in a kilt, and had nothing but friendly receptions. Enjoy!

If anyone is puzzled by it, you can 'splain about the Great Wagon Road, and how their forbears may have come to Virginia initially! Some of mine certainly passed that way.

[Yodhan]

Update:

I have been here since late Sunday and am loving my vacation. I brought one pair of pants for when I visit my grandmother on the other side of the family (she won't understand the kilt, and her mind isn't in the best of shape, so I would rather not stress her), but I haven't worn them. I drove down in my Utilikilt Mocker, which was very comfortable. I got a few compliments at a book fair, as well as a few looks, but no ones has said anything unkind to my face.

Yesterday I went for a 14 mile hike on the Appalachian Trail through Shenandoah Park in my SWK Economy Black Watch. It did great. No one really commented on it, but it was the most comfortable thing I have ever hiked in. I have been planning to hike the entire Appalachian Trail, so this was just a little test run and it was amazing. Here's a few pics:






Today, I went with my Mum to the Luray Caverns, which were equally amazing. A couple people nodded approvingly at it.




Next up is a road trip to DC. I will update later.

[Rex_Tremende]

Great photos! A couple of those are going to end up as wallpaper on my iMac.

But the big question here is whether your mum has changed her mind about your kilting in public in the region. Inquiring minds want to know.

Regards,
Rex.

[Mael Coluim]

Super shots! You look great.

[Catdad]

Nice pictures!

[Yodhan]

Great photos! A couple of those are going to end up as wallpaper on my iMac.

But the big question here is whether your mum has changed her mind about your kilting in public in the region. Inquiring minds want to know.

Regards,
Rex.

Thank you very much for the compliment of using my images for your wallpaper.

She never really had a problem with it. She likes me in a kilt. She was just worried about someone making fun of me or saying something that would make me feel uncomfortable. We went on a nice walk around town yesterday after dinner and a couple of guys about my age (early to mid 20's) drove by and one yelled something rather unkind out the window at me. I chuckled and commented about how big their stones were because they had the guts to say something while in a car, traveling over 30mph in the other direction. My mum laughed and said that in her opinion, most Scots in kilts have the guts to back up whatever insults get thrown at them.

All in all, it has been great. Today we are headed to Charlottesville to wander around and see a talk a photographer friend is putting on.

[McFarkus]

Thanks for the update and the pictures. I hope you enjoy Charlottesville. I visited as a kid (Monticello, etc.) and then my brother and niece went to UVA. I love it there.

[David White]

Where did you eat?
Little Grill (co'op type of place great breakfast)
Jesse quik lunch (dogs with everything, fires (chips) or someplace nicer?
The 'Burg has lots of great eateries.
Wish I would have know you were going to Charlottesville.