I spent 3 weeks visiting family in San Diego, and wore my Utilikilt most of the time instead of my traditional because of the heat. Found it very practical and convenient when changing in and out of swimming trunks at the beach. My 18-year-old sister has become a staunch supporter of my kilt-wearing, and my parents and grandparents all really liked it.

Outside of that, however, I got a lot of confused stares, repressed giggles, "honey-look-at-that-man-in-a-skirt"s, semi-rude comments from my brother's new girlfriend, etc, and I suddenly remembered how uptight San Diego is about a lot of things (despite their reputation for a laid-back culture). I know it's not nearly as unfriendly to kiltwearing as some spots in the U.S., but I was, I confess, a little surprised. I noticed the stares were less friendly when I was alone, and seemed a little more curious and interested when I was walking around with a lady.

I was so glad to get back to Oregon, where I get compliments and high-fives regularly. For example, right after I got back to Oregon, I was at the grocery store, and a young lady was heading down the aisle towards me. She looked nervous, so I smiled at her, which she was apparently waiting for me to do, and she gushed, "I love the kilt!"

Seems like the farther north up the west coast I go, the more acceptingly and positively people react to kilt wearing. At this rate, Vancouver must be a kilt wearer's heaven, and I can't wait till this September's kilt night to experience a bit of it with all you fellas up there.