My first kilt holds many memories for me, along with a kilt pin I made. First the kilt. Jennifer and I were on a self guided bike tour of the Highlands of Scotland two years ago. On one of your last burgs to stay at we did our final shopping for friends and family. At one store I picked up an off the rack Hecktor Russell in Mackenzie Modern. These tartans were used quite extensively on the tourist kilts and I liked the colors. Jennifer said in jest "Go for the skirt". I told her I planned too and was fortunate no one saw me when I tried it on, yes I had it on backwards. Well that was my first kilt and most importantly one of our best ever vacations we have ever shared.



While in the same town, Callander, we did a short hike to Bracklinn Falls and the Crags of Callander. The falls were beautiful with a hand made bridge crossing them. Walking further back to the loch that fed the falls we found some beautiful shores that reminded me quite a bit like streams in the Pacific Northwest. The smooth rocks look just like what I have seen in Washington on places like Mt Baker and Glacier peak. I collect single rocks from places I have been and feel they are wonderful reminders of the trip I experienced. This includes quartz from Nepal when I hiked the Everest base camp trek, a rock from Denali when I tried to scale it in 1992, various rocks from the summit of Mt Baker on climbs Ive led and other rocks for trails and hikes. These are small rocks for the good reason that I usually have 40-60lbs on my back and only need something small for a reminder. Well I collected one lovely flat rock at Bracklinn not knowing I would eventually wear it with my kilts as a kilt pin.