We arrived at the Barren River Lake State Campground Thursday afternoon after traveling from La Vergne, TN where we had camped at Poole Knobs Campground visiting with our daughters and sons-in-law for six days. Some of our friends and cousins were already there, we would have been earlier if not for a tire blow out on the motor home just before we hit the KY line. We got our camp set up and had all day Friday to visit with friends and family. We all got together for supper in our portable 12 X 20 screen room, and what wonderful food the ladies had prepared. We had two new members join us, they fit right in with the rest of us fun loving people and were a pleasure to be around. One came all the way from Colorado on his motorcycle!

Saturday dawns bright and hot, my husband and I get ready to go to the Games. We drive to the entrance to the campground, park on the grass and walk across the road to the Highland Games. Walking down the hill at the entrance to the Games you can feel the excitement in the air. It’s a sight to behold all the colorful tents, Clan banners and flags gently blowing in the breeze, the wonderful scents from the food vendors wafting around. The sounds of pipes being tuned or practiced. I get such a high from the waves of excitement emanating from all the people that come from far and near who perhaps only get to see and visit their Clan, kith and kin, at this particular Games every year. I’m always amazed at the younger generation that have become interested in their ancestors and family history that come to the Games, join their Clans and try to find out as much true Scots history as they can. One of our young teenage members, who is a delight and very mature, ran and won the Kilted mile race. We were all so proud of him and to see that Kilt in our Clan colors he was wearing, swinging as he was running was poetry in motion.

We had some good entertainers as always. My favorite band Albannach (means Scots or men of Scotland) were there from Glasgow, Scotland. I don’t know how they stand the heat and humidity in the South after the cool weather in Scotland they are use too, but they put on a terrific and energetic show. Patsy, Pam, Babs and I got front row seats when it was time for Albannach to perform and we all danced in our seats to the powerful tribal beat of their drums and lone bagpiper. Babs bought one of their CD's and I took her around and introduced her to the band and she got their autographs. I got a kiss from my heartthrob Jamesie! A bear hug from Davie the bodhran player who loves Johnny Cash and remembers me every time he sees me, because I’m related to Johnny Cash. There was a new band that I wanted to see but was having too much fun visiting with kith and kin to walk to the pavilion to see. We could hear them from our tent which had the best spot of any and we are going to have the same location next year.

Our tent was crowded most of the time with members having fun. I was so happy to see the new members from last year with their three little ones. I think we were represented in the Parade of Tartans by more people than any other Clan except the "Kingdom of Raknar" Clan, which is a "made up Clan" and you have to have a special invitation to join it. We gained some new members too, more people who had "found their home."

The heat got to me and we had to leave the Games early and go back to the motor home for the air conditioner. Then a storm came up and that part of Kentucky got some much needed rain but a couple of tents were blown down and things got soaked on the Games field. Sunday was a little cooler and more bearable for the massed bands and the Parade of Tartans. As I stated before, our Clan was represented in The Parade of Tartans Sunday by more people than any other Clan. We have a great group of family and friends and I’m honored to be with them in our Clan Thompson Society. (Son of Thomas)

B. Moore