Happy Anniversary to us on completing our first year as full-time RVers. In that time, we have driven almost 25,000 miles, though our home has only been with us for 11,750 of those miles. We have been in 26 different states but some states we have visited more than once. We have been to many places we have wanted to see for years - cherry blossoms, Carlsbad Caverns, White Sands National Park, Mount Rushmore, Assateague Island horses, Holocaust Museum and visiting relatives and friends across the country. Several people have asked how long we plan to continue to live this way? So far, we have no plans to "retire" to a stick and brick home any time soon. In fact, we don't even want to re-evaluate this plan for several more years. We have so many things left on our list to see and do. We will be spending this winter in Arizona and hope we have better weather than last winter.
Scottish Games and Cultural Festival, Chesterfield, MO - 29 September 2018
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| Friday was Opening day. Bob and I met up with his brothers at the Douglas Clan tent. The banner says "Of all the names of Scotland...Only ONE NAME could cause the English to quake in their boots or turn tail and run. Only ONE NAME had the power and prestige to provoke the Stewart kings to jealousy and murder. One ONE NAME can claim its history as the history of Scotland itself. We are here to represent that ONE NAME and all the other names that comprised that ONE GREAT HOUSE: the House of Douglas!" |
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| As the sun went down it turned windy and dropped the temperatures into the low 50s. We had to lower the tent to keep it from blowing over. One Clan was not so lucky and their tent almost went over the fence and on to the runway of the Spirit of St. Louis Airport. |
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| Bob and Tom in their Douglas plaid kilts. I'm sure I heard some complaining about how "breezy" things were compared to wearing pants. We were all very chilly by the end of the night and thankful to Jim and Jan who had extra jackets and a blanket for those of us in need. |
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| The final show was the "Celtic Rock Concert". |
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| Saturday began with Piping, Drumming and Massed Pipebands competition. We may not have recognized some of the songs they played but we have enjoyed music competitions ever since Kristen was in High School. A demonstration of sheep herding with a Border Collie is always a fun and enjoyable time. |
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| The first athletic competition was the traditional Tug of War by local police and firemen. |
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| Preparing for the Parade of Tartans and joined by another brother, Mike and his wife plus their sister, Betty and her husband, Norm. Cousin Bruce Douglas, with his lady, Christine also joined the throng. |
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| Some additional Douglas Clan members so we were well represented. |
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| Julie, Mike and I are listening to a weaver explain how to properly weave a tartan plaid and the differences between Modern, Ancient and Muted. Modern is the oldest style while Ancient is a lighter shade of the original colors. Muted is the removal of some colors. |
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| The hammer toss is similar to the Olympic hammer toss. There was also the sheaf toss. A bag is filled with hay, each competitor uses a pitchfork to throw the bag over a crossbar, up to 50 feet in the air. |
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| The world famous caber toss was not to be seen (I think we just missed it) but this little guy is starting early to get his technique down for future games. |
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| The final competition was the Farmers Walk. Each man was to carry two stones, each weighing 250 pounds, as far as he could. Some could barely lift both stones. The winner carried the stones over 91 feet. Very impressive. |
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| Warmer weather and lots of sunshine kept some of us in the shade while we watched the competitors. |
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| After the presentation of the awards for the athletic and band competitors, the Drum Major retired from competition. He leaves the symbols of his "office" behind on the field; hat, baton and gloves. |
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| Betty relaxes on a sofa covered in a quilt made from Mike's favorite t-shirts. |
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| The geese are starting to arrive. |
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| Tori has found her favorite window for people watching. This is one of the few windows available for the dogs to see outside. |
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| Our next short stay is at the Berry Bend Public Use Area Harry Truman Lake. Seems we will have the place to ourselves. |
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| Tue 10/01 Berry Bend Public Use Area Harry Truman Lake |
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