The Hay Clan

Sunday, February 17, 2013

10 years later....

"If you have it [love], you don't need to have anything else. If you don't have it, it doesn't matter much what else you have." - Sir James Matthew Barrie (1860-1937) Scottish Journalist

Every year at the GMHG, the Woodsman and I celebrate our wedding anniversary. This year we celebrated 10 years of marriage! A whole decade!! Where has the time gone? It has been a wonderful whirlwind and I can't wait to see what the next 10 years have in store for us!!

GMHG part 4 - daily happenings

Ah finally the last post from GMHG 2012. This post is a little more random than the others. These pictures are just a collection from the whole trip.

Unfortunately this picture was taken while the Woodsman was still marching in the parade. Other than him, these are the members of the Hay Clan that marched in the parade of tartans for 2012.

Clan Hay tent.

Micah (Clan Scott), Rodney (Clan Home), The Woodsman (Clan Hay) and Matt (House of Bruce)

Just look at what the Woodsman has started! These are just the first few guys to join him in finding their clans and donning their kilts. One day I will have a picture of ALL the guys!

It was cloudy and rained most of the time this year, but I finally managed to snap a couple of pictures of Grandfather Mtn!

So excited to finally have my skirt!!

Mrs. Tucker (what a perfectly fitting name!) was kind enough to make this dress for me this year. She made the green under skirt, the tartan over skirt and (in the picture below) the vest. I have since decided I don't care for the vest and I've got to come up with something different. The black shirt will have to do for now.

We were finally able to get Laura and Thomas to come up this year! Now we've got to get them into the Thomas tartan. I think they enjoyed it.

They don't all look happy in this picture, but I promise they were having a good time! I snapped this during the two seconds it wasn't raining that day.

One afternoon when the rain took a break, this piper was kind enough to play for us as we cleaned up the tent. He even took my request for The Gael. It was amazing!

Kids wrestling.... These little guys (and gals) are so fun to watch. They are so focused and try so hard.

Meg the Sheep Herder (no really the dog's name is Meg)

One of my favorite events to watch is the sheep herding. These dogs are so amazing. The Scottish border collie is said to be the smartest breed and after watching them here I believe it.

Another awesome part of the GMHG is the plethora of great music. The Celtic groves provide the perfect place for musicians of all types to play without interrupting the games on the field. One of the excellent performers this year was an Alabama gal that I have the pleasure of hearing on a regular basis back home at Local Color. Jil Chambless sings traditional Scottish/Irish ballads, plays the flute and plays the Irish whistle.

While driving back to the Chalet one day I noticed a couple of signs and landmarks I had to have pictures of...... bet you can't guess why!

Special thanks to the Woodsman for appeasing me with my crazy requests!;)

Awe, one of my favorite views in the area. This picture was taken in a little town called Valle Cruis. It is home to one of the oldest general stores still in use. The valley is surrounded by a gorgeous 360 degree view of the Appalachian mountains. The fence and barn make for an ideal picture! Thanks to Rodney for snapping the pic for me.

That should about do it for this year's trip to the GMHG. Looking forward to making the trek again next year. We would love for you to join us!!!

GMHG part 3 - marches

On the last day of the festival we have what is called the parade of tartans. Everyone wearing something with their tartan on it is asked to march around McRae Meadow to proudly display their clan colors. We had quite a few Clan Hay members to march this year!

"A Hay, A Hay, A Hay"

The Woodsman carrying our tartan flag.

Laura (Thomas wouldn't march with us!)

D, me and papaw

My first year with my new skirt!

Rodney with his sword representing Clan Home.

After everyone marches with their Clan, one member is asked to march again with the Clan Flag to represent all the clans present at the games. Of course the Woodsman is our gracious volunteer.

Waiting for everyone to gather.

Friday, February 8, 2013

GMHG part 2 - Opening Night Ceremonies

The GMHG 2012 began on Thursday night with the torchlighting ceremony. We have attended the games for 6 years now and have never made it to this event. Our first year and it's so foggy you can barely see someone standing 5 feet in front of you. UGH! Or so I thought at first!

Since we couldn't see anything, I figured no one would question me with my camera if I walked to the cented of the field. Heck all I had to do was back up 6 feet and they couldn't see me anyway!

Because of the fog, I was able to get some awesome shots of the torches, speakers and bagpiper. The pictures look like they could have been taken in Scotland!!! I was thrilled!

The Hay Clan member Arthur announcing the arrival of the Hay Clan.

All of the announcers joined hands and were welcomed to the games.

The center where each clan placed its torch after claiming attendance to the games.

The last 3 pictures are my favorite. The bagpiper walked around the torches playing The Scottish National Anthem and was kind enough to stop every once in a while for people to snap some pictures.

So we were disappointed at first with the weather, but it turned out to be pretty cool!

GMHG part 1 - the chalet

Every July we go north for the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games. We've stayed in many different places from year to year, but none of them seemed to be that perfect fit. No one had a kitchen so we had to eat out every meal, we had no place to just hang out that wasn't a cramped hotel room and it always seemed like we were spread out too far away from each other. So this year we got smart and rented one big chalet. It was well worth the time and research to have everyone together.

Although this particular chalet was a little far to drive from, we will definitely try this route again. Everyone claimed a night to cook and we were able to just hang out and enjoy.

The back of the chalet.

View from the back deck down to the creek.

The trail the Woodsman and I hiked on our last day located right behind the Chalet.

The deer just walking through the property.

More views along the trail.

The Woodsman and I were standing on the deck the last day (of course it was after everyone else had left) and spotted this little fellow. I've never actually seen a skunk inn person outside the zoo! I've smelled quite a few of them but never has one just walked up beside me.

I just love the mountains!

Bobby Horton

As many of you may know, we have a few history buffs in our house. Especially when it comes to Civil War history. So when we learned that one of the greatest civil war story tellers was coming to Springville, we just knew we had to be there. Mr. Bobby Horton not only gives historical facts reguarding the civil war, but he also sings songs and plays instruments from the era. If you're a civil war history buff too, you've got to check his website out! http://bobbyhorton.com/ He's a true treasure and we are so fortunate to have seen the show.