Back to work, Blogging

OK, everyone, Matt, Ron, Sam etc are on me for taking a break from my duties of blogging. Now please remember we were ouy of town for six days in Colorado Springs for Parents Weekend at USAFA. Then upon my return Hubertus was getting ready to leave, he departed 9/5.

I guess first off is the trip out west. We traveled United from BWI to Ohara to Colorado Springs. Kathy, Jeff and Abby departed around 0700. 1 hr. delayed. Granny and I were 1 hr. delayed leaving Ohara. A broken plane in Detroit is what we were told.

Monster Cold Front coming through as I write, don't fret, I'm on Battery power. Loud booming thunder, multiple cloud to ground lightning, torrential rain, now this is what summer is all about. It started out WSW, now has swung around WNW and the temp is dropping. It was 84 deg at the start is 76 deg already.

Ok, so much for WX. The trip was great, weather great and Sam is great. I really feel she is in her element. Of course she is, the Element is the smallest grouping of individuals in the wing. Go back some Blogs ago, it was all explained, kinda like a squad in USMC jargon.

We first saw Sam Thursday evening at the gate to the Cadet Area. She was with one of the Fab Four, or what ever she calls them. His name is Malcom Strong. Malcom was in the uniform of the day with jacket and Sam was in Gym shorts & T shirt. Sam had just finished Lax practice. The Temp was in the low 60's. We brought them Subway food, did the hugs and kiss' thing, chatted about 25 minutes and bid fairwell until 0630 in the AM.

We were up early and at the Academy for a day on campus. Sam met us at the gate and up we went. Up, up, up, up, up. Then we got to her, dorm I guess that is what you call it. Vandenberg Hall is what it is, and once again, up, up. I must add that when you reach the top of where your going and you take a deep breath, there is no air available for recovery.

The cadet rooms are organized, neat clean military specimens and the only bit of personal touch are a few pictures on the poster board over each cadet's desk. A far cry from the front bedroom in Allen, MD.

We were fortunate to have the opportunity to attend three class', German, Engineering and History. The Cadet Wing, 4,000 plus strong had a parade for all attending and we got lunch in Mitchell Hall. Both events were an experience of a life time for many.

Later during the day Sam took us on a tour of the Cadet area to include the Library and grounds. Our tax dollars have been invested in a facility to train our future protectors of freedom fittingly. It's just the up, up and away I had a hard time with.

At 5:30 PM or so Sam and a friend Malcom were able to leave with us for 96 hours of freedom. Malcom's father is on active duty in the AF and his Mother couldn't make the trip from FL, so we adopted him for the weekend. We did a late dinner at Outback and then back to the hotel for a good night's sleep.

I'll continue the trip on the next post, hopefully tonight. Be patient with me, I'm old, retired and very busy. See you all again shortly.