When I said I had a few more photos to share of a different sort of view I had in Colorado, were you expecting this? When I was investigating things to do in Estes Park when I found out I would be traveling there I discovered that there was a Scottish-Irish Highland Festival going on that same weekend. Apparently it is an annual event and quite well attended, and it just happened to coincide with my visit. We made no plans on going to it, so the most I expected was to see a stray 'kilted' man walking down the street. And indeed I did.
The plans we made for Saturday sort of fell through so I was at loose ends. I had hoped to go back to the Rocky Mountain National Park, but there wasn't quite enough time. Estes has a wonderful free shuttle service, which I picked up just outside my cabin. Instead I had planned on going back to the very cool Mcdonald's Bookstore, but a chat with a couple on the shuttle (yes, man in said kilt made me ask a question or two) inspired me to go to the festival, too.
So I saw quite a lot of this! I felt a little out of place without even a touch of plaid or tartan, I must say.
But trying to be in the spirit of things I did try this. I have always wondered about shepherd's pie. I suspect it is not exactly the most authentic there is, but it is likely the closest I will come anytime soon. I tried to get my courage up to try haggis, but it was pricey and what if I couldn't manage to eat it (on a good day I am not much of a meat eater to be honest, so even shepherd's pie was a stretch for me). Had I eaten lunch I would have opted instead for the very scrumptious looking scones with clotted cream.
But that's okay as I bought a lemon shortbread which was pretty darn yummy (alas not one of those mammoth size ones you see up front--though I am sure I could have 'forced' the whole thing done in one go), and I brought a couple of packages of welsh cakes to bring home with me (one currant and one cinnamon package), which I promptly put into the freezer but have taken one out for later tonight as my little after dinner (yay-it's-the-weekend) treat!
So, what's up with this? Why such an extreme disparity between kilt lengths, hmm? Then again, no need to answer that question, I already know the answer to that one.
I suppose I have no room to talk since I broke down and bought the tee-shirt you see in the middle. I'm not sure what possessed me--all those kilts, I guess. I will likely never wear it in public, but I am sure I will get a lot of use of it at home when working out. And it is a fun memento of the day.
Let's see--there was a Highland dance competition (and some of the contestants were wee boys and girls and quite talented dancers!), a dog show, even Whiskey tasting (passed that one by--I would have preferred that scone--and one glass would have made me more than just a little tipsy!). They had games competitions (even jousting which I didn't try and squeeze my way in to watch), booths set up for the various clans, and lots and lots of music.
I was sort of wondering why a Scottish-Irish festival ended up in Estes Park of all places, but apparently one Scottish immigrant family began the tradition a long time ago and it has grown over the years. And then if you look at some of those backdrops with all that green and mountains in the background . . . maybe the views are not so completely different between here and Scotland? I am sure they must have many beautiful lakes, too, and such vibrant lushness.
It was all unexpected and unplanned and a fun time in the end. I am not sure I would ever make a special trip there to go to the festival, but it was certainly something to see since I was already there. And as you can see it was a perfect day--and that after a forecast of rain all afternoon (which is part of the reason why our original plans were scuttled). So, I had quite an adventure and will be living off it and all the rest for a while to come I suspect. Until the next adventure, my books will have to suffice!