Blairsville Games

**tripleblessed** · 9th June 18, 11:25 AM

Originally Posted by Crawdaddyjc

Sorry i derailed the op. huge micro... i should have caught that before posting.

Tripleblessed- thanks for the link. I will bookmark it and maybe next year i will be available to go. Blairsville is a great area. (A great
spot for amature atronomers- but dont let that subject derail!)

Have no fear. When I am the OP, the conversation is free to go where it goes, just like if we had the gall to speak face to face. So,
wherever it leads, it can't be derailed.

Have you been over to Sharon to stargaze? Speak to Craig at one of our gatherings about doing that. As to the Congress Center, after
15 years of not working, it feels weird not to be there. I don't miss the 30 hour days of standing on the floors of the "Concrete Center"
(@Tarheel , might that be an idiom?). I ought to know, having for years been called an idomatic speaker. When asked to explain that
comment, a coworker opined, "Mahk (Mahk is southern for Michael), 'at means you automatically say idiotic stuff.".

**Crawdaddyjc** · 9th June 18, 02:05 PM

Deerlick Astronomy Village is out there! I have not been but would love to spend a weekend there! Some of the darkest skies in the southeast! Maybe one day!

I am the same way with conversations. Flow wherever they want- we are all friends here!

I am ready for this weekend to be over. On call and a trade show makes for grumpy moods lol

**kingandrew** · 10th June 18, 03:03 AM

The only time I've been to Blairsville was for an antique car show 20+ years ago. It was a beautiful area (and a great car show). I'm sure it makes a great venue for a Highland Games. I'll be visiting Georgia for a couple of weeks, but won't arrive until the 22nd. So unfortunately, I'll miss the Blairsville event.

Andrew

**tripleblessed** · 11th June 18, 03:05 AM

Well, unexpectedly, Mary Helen and I got out the door early Sunday and made it to the games, which she had never gotten to do.
Early start got us through and back home in time for me to get to my bluegrass jam. She thoroughly enjoyed it; though quite warm,
probably 88F/31C, bearable because the venue is along a good-sized mountain stream with many trees. Most kilt wearers in Stetson
or Tilley style broad-brimmed hats to avoid skin cancer. About 40 clan/organization booths. Cabers and sheaf tossing amid various
bands, good food and potables. Good music. Good gift and wares tents. The expected/welcome stuff.

Being smaller than Stone Mountain Games, more time for vendors to talk, so I got a chance to talk with the Tartan Museum folk. Good
to hear they have recovered from financial struggles and doing well. Good to see lots of kids out, need more young folk, always.
Visited with a friend whose band, The Atholl Highlanders, serves as host band at the games. I know some of the band, having helped
with their Burns Supper. And sung for it too, but am not sure that was a help.

Got a new T-shirt, Lindisfarne cross design from
Jen Delyth.

Good Day. No photos, as I don't own a phone. I was in clergy semi-traditional from Rocky, tannish yellow tee with an owl against
the moon, plain military style sporran from Stillwater, purple HoC Lewis hose with mustard garter ties. Got compliments, requests for
photos with, and for info on where to get kilts.

**tripleblessed** · 11th June 18, 03:10 AM

Originally Posted by kingandrew

The only time I've been to Blairsville was for an antique car show 20+ years ago. It was a beautiful area (and a great car show). I'm sure it makes a great venue for a Highland Games. I'll be visiting Georgia for a couple of weeks, but won't arrive until the 22nd. So unfortunately, I'll miss the Blairsville event.

Where in Georgia will you be? Maybe a meetup possible. The group that does the car show was at the games; raffled off a car to raise
money and awareness for needy kids/families.

**kingandrew** · 11th June 18, 08:36 AM

Tripleblessed,

I will be in Atlanta for about 3 weeks, from June 22-July 14th. I would enjoy participating in a get-together with the Atlanta rabble. I should be receiving a new kilt from USA kilts while I am there, so I will be able to dress the part.

This is my rather abbreviated "summer vacation" since my current school gets out late and my new school wants us to arrive very early to allow time for visa bureaucracy (I teach in China) and orientation/training.

Andrew