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Enjoying a very rare entire day off
- By Contributor
- Published 08/3/2010
- Commentary
- Unrated
The best day I have had in a long time was this past Saturday. A very rare, complete day off.
That’s right, I did not go to the store to check on things or call to see how things were going.
I just got into the truck with my husband and we headed out for a day of culture.
The day was beautiful leaving the eastern side to head towards the west side of the State.
I am always amazed and awed at the wonderful diversity of land type and plant materials we have in this state.
It humbles me to get in the truck to drive from a seemingly dry desert climate of grasses, sage and rocks of many shades of green and brown and russet, to the climb into the Snoqualmie Pass area. The extra rain this year gave a boost to the forest and forest floor.
The meadows are high with grass for the animals and the fir trees look better than they have for several years. Water does do wonders.
As we came through the other side of the pass the sky was gray with fog and the temperature dropped to 55 degrees.
The land became even greener with the big leaf maple, cedars and alders.
Fern is on the floor. We decided to by-pass the freeway city routes and took Highway 18 through Maple Valley and Black Diamond.
It’s different driving through avenues of green and then poof a town or group of residences show up.
Here in the Yakima Valley we can see everyone coming from quite a ways away!
By the time we reached the King County fair grounds in Enumclaw, the sun was peeking out, and it promised to be a perfect day.
Enumclaw is on Highway 410 nestled right up against the western slope of the Cascade Mountain range. The forest rings the fair grounds and keeps the area humid and cool.
As we pulled into the pastures surrounding the fair to park and paid our $5, I was building myself up for a very large dose of relaxation. I was not disappointed.
My family has quite a bit of Scot in us along with all the other melting pot cultures we American citizens have after 6 generations.
The North American gathering of the Clans and Scottish Highland Games are held at the Enumclaw Expo Center each summer.
These gatherings have been going on for well over 1000 years. The association in the Pacific NW alone has held 65 years of the gathering here in the State of Washington.
In the beginning, the games were used to select the strongest warriors for battle against the many invading forces of Scotland.
In modern times this is a way to connect with who we are descended from.
The avenue of the clans had over 75 booths. Each representing their Family Clan, such as Wallace or MacLeod and then each Sept (sub family group) to the clan.
Septs are family by marriage or sometimes by a claim of past allegiance during war.
As we wandered though the festival tents set up across from the avenue of the clans, the scent of scones baking and different meats on grills, meat pies, sun tea and fruit juices were all tempting.
There were also of course the modern day espresso coffee and french fry stands.
But, since I was all for the experience of Scotland, I did my best to not see them.
The pubs set up around the perimeter of the grounds had live Celtic music groups playing both Scottish and Irish music with folks singing along.
By the Marketplace were the harp-playing competitions and the athletic fields were full of people watching a game of Shinty.
We did not spend a lot of time at these venues though, because we were on a mission this day to get a Pipe Band fix.
So we wandered over to the open field, found a spot of grass to sit on and listened to the Bag Pipe Bands.
These Pipe Bands come from all over the Northwest and Canada to compete in the Pacific Northwest Pipe and Drum Competitions.
They have a chance to travel all over the world, coming up against the best bands of the earth.
I don’t know how to describe a Pipe Band to you. Some folks might say that a screeching bagpipe is not music.
Then I would have say to them they have never stood on a field waiting for the absolute awesome sight and sounds of hundreds of young men and women marching in unison just like a marching band down the street at a parade.
Their colorful clan kilts were swaying to sound of the Drum and the Pipe.
The music swells with Amazing Grace, next is the traditional Scottish war marching songs and beautiful intricate melodies meant to soothe your soul.
Pomp, tradition, discipline, these are the traits of the student of the pipe band.
The winner of the two-day event moves on from regional to national competition. Saturday’s winner was the Simon Frazier University Pipe Band from British Columbia.
They have won the world in 2009 in Scotland. The youngest participant of 8 years old was a Drum Major in training with his Grandpa Bob.
These family events are the backbone of America, no matter your culture, you can observe or participate depending on your mood. But always, we can appreciate.
You do not have to be a Scot to enjoy a Scottish festival; these warm friendly people invite anyone who wants to experience all that is Scotland.
You can go on line for info on all the events throughout the year. www.sshga.org
That’s right, I did not go to the store to check on things or call to see how things were going.
I just got into the truck with my husband and we headed out for a day of culture.
The day was beautiful leaving the eastern side to head towards the west side of the State.
I am always amazed and awed at the wonderful diversity of land type and plant materials we have in this state.
It humbles me to get in the truck to drive from a seemingly dry desert climate of grasses, sage and rocks of many shades of green and brown and russet, to the climb into the Snoqualmie Pass area. The extra rain this year gave a boost to the forest and forest floor.
The meadows are high with grass for the animals and the fir trees look better than they have for several years. Water does do wonders.
As we came through the other side of the pass the sky was gray with fog and the temperature dropped to 55 degrees.
The land became even greener with the big leaf maple, cedars and alders.
Fern is on the floor. We decided to by-pass the freeway city routes and took Highway 18 through Maple Valley and Black Diamond.
It’s different driving through avenues of green and then poof a town or group of residences show up.
Here in the Yakima Valley we can see everyone coming from quite a ways away!
By the time we reached the King County fair grounds in Enumclaw, the sun was peeking out, and it promised to be a perfect day.
Enumclaw is on Highway 410 nestled right up against the western slope of the Cascade Mountain range. The forest rings the fair grounds and keeps the area humid and cool.
As we pulled into the pastures surrounding the fair to park and paid our $5, I was building myself up for a very large dose of relaxation. I was not disappointed.
My family has quite a bit of Scot in us along with all the other melting pot cultures we American citizens have after 6 generations.
The North American gathering of the Clans and Scottish Highland Games are held at the Enumclaw Expo Center each summer.
These gatherings have been going on for well over 1000 years. The association in the Pacific NW alone has held 65 years of the gathering here in the State of Washington.
In the beginning, the games were used to select the strongest warriors for battle against the many invading forces of Scotland.
In modern times this is a way to connect with who we are descended from.
The avenue of the clans had over 75 booths. Each representing their Family Clan, such as Wallace or MacLeod and then each Sept (sub family group) to the clan.
Septs are family by marriage or sometimes by a claim of past allegiance during war.
As we wandered though the festival tents set up across from the avenue of the clans, the scent of scones baking and different meats on grills, meat pies, sun tea and fruit juices were all tempting.
There were also of course the modern day espresso coffee and french fry stands.
But, since I was all for the experience of Scotland, I did my best to not see them.
The pubs set up around the perimeter of the grounds had live Celtic music groups playing both Scottish and Irish music with folks singing along.
By the Marketplace were the harp-playing competitions and the athletic fields were full of people watching a game of Shinty.
We did not spend a lot of time at these venues though, because we were on a mission this day to get a Pipe Band fix.
So we wandered over to the open field, found a spot of grass to sit on and listened to the Bag Pipe Bands.
These Pipe Bands come from all over the Northwest and Canada to compete in the Pacific Northwest Pipe and Drum Competitions.
They have a chance to travel all over the world, coming up against the best bands of the earth.
I don’t know how to describe a Pipe Band to you. Some folks might say that a screeching bagpipe is not music.
Then I would have say to them they have never stood on a field waiting for the absolute awesome sight and sounds of hundreds of young men and women marching in unison just like a marching band down the street at a parade.
Their colorful clan kilts were swaying to sound of the Drum and the Pipe.
The music swells with Amazing Grace, next is the traditional Scottish war marching songs and beautiful intricate melodies meant to soothe your soul.
Pomp, tradition, discipline, these are the traits of the student of the pipe band.
The winner of the two-day event moves on from regional to national competition. Saturday’s winner was the Simon Frazier University Pipe Band from British Columbia.
They have won the world in 2009 in Scotland. The youngest participant of 8 years old was a Drum Major in training with his Grandpa Bob.
These family events are the backbone of America, no matter your culture, you can observe or participate depending on your mood. But always, we can appreciate.
You do not have to be a Scot to enjoy a Scottish festival; these warm friendly people invite anyone who wants to experience all that is Scotland.
You can go on line for info on all the events throughout the year. www.sshga.org