Traveling and seeing old friends

This was a great week at least on the large scheme of things! I had a business trip back to Sweet Home Alabama and the drive was 8 hours across the Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama.

The trip was very uneventful...thank goodness. We did see lots of coppers and they had a lot of people stopped and good thing it wasn't me! Even on the way home today they were running the speed guns on overtime.

However, the trip allowed us to see several old friends (military and civilians). Probably the best was seeing our Best Alabama Friends!!! They are great and we love spending time with them...it's fun every time :)

The military friends were at the conference with me and it was great catching up with them!

Only draw back from the trip was the calls from home station about events...let's just say we have lots of events that I'll need to work once I get back...job security in the not so favorite kind of work!

Also, it wad once again brought to my attention that I am different, very different! I still don't know how or why I have the job I do...I just don't fit the average mold. Not sure if this is good or bad, but... Looks like I have reached the pinnacle of my career whether I like it or not!

Oh well, I'm still having fun so I'll keep doing it...for now!

Cars anyone

We have been car shopping (along with eating)our away across the US! We may have finally found one...

Did I mention that I hate car shopping. That's a lot of money that I don't like to spend and most of these are priced to high. Worse thing is, we are looking for two cars...LilBlue and MrsBlue. Good thing we saved money over the last year...but I just hate giving money to others...I like having money put away for retirement.

Oh well...let's hope we get back into a Honda very soon!

Tacos with Kelley

Tonight was great! We went over to our friend Kelley's to have dinner. She made a favorite with Missouri taco shells and her famous burritos in the oven. Best part was the gacomole made from scratch.

We've had mexican several times since arriving in TX... I like it!

Tomorrow the trip continues inland to OKC. Seven hours of traveling...

Heading Inland

We are heading inland away from the Surf today.  Headed to Austin TX!  Maybe I'll get to try to SUP from SUP ATX (Stand Up Paddleboard Austin Texas).  I might even talk MrsBlue into buying a SUP.  Look here at the SUP on sale for July 4th!

Wish me luck.

But the best part is seeing some old friends from Italy!  WOOOHOOO

3d Coast Surfing

It can be said that Texas HAS surf!!!!  Yes, we arrived in Galveston TX today and headed down 37th street to the beach and quickly found SURF!  Hooorahhhh.  I found surf only 5 hours away from LA.

If you look real hard you can see me in the whitewater...  It was very disorganized with short rides, but FUN  :)

It was very mushy and all over the place, but nothing different from a storm along the East Coast beach break.  Best part of this was the jetties along the beach which help create a little bump.  I was a pig in mud to say the least.  

However, it did cost me a little bit!  MrsBlue is not too happy with my "search for waves" along this trip.  Well, I have now found the waves so no need for continued looking...  

MrsBlue...THANK YOU for putting up with my search and coming along for the trip.  It wouldn't be the same without you along in the Smartie with me!  I DO love being with you and it's really great hanging out with you for hours on end...even when we go through Beaumont at 90MPH and miss the lunch spot!

Costly thirst

MrsBlue was very thirsty after arriving at Jackson Barracks so we took a little drive to quench her thirst.

When we ordered a large glass of tap water we were surprised to have to pay a dollar for it.

BTW: The ice-cream and peach pie were a bonus.

GREAT Leaders Still Exist

On Friday, our last day at the Atlantic coast, I went for a surf at 0600 only to find the MWR people setting up for a 5K run on the beach.  So I had to ask the question and see if I could "join in".  Sure enough, at 0700 I was running a 5K along the beach and having fun.  Boy, do I need to get in better shape since my 5K time is 'hurting'.

However, I ran into Q (my local surfing buddy who rides short boards...in fact, if he rides a long board he feels dirty all day long).  All I have to say to this is Wave Count!  but this doesn't matter to him since he catches everything on any wave.  Wish I could surf like that.

But after the 5K, I went back to the room to change into my surf clothes and go for another session when there was a knock on the door.  It was Q and BG...surprise!!!!  Had a little talk with the both of the them and it was very nice.  

Then later I received a great note from BG...what a Great Leader!  Sometimes I wish I had stayed in Florida to work more with him!  I know it would have been great...well that's in the past, but I'm so glad to know that Leaders like him still exist.  He GETS it!!!!

In West Florida

We have begun the trip along the Gulf Coast.  First stop...Hurlburt Field to check out the surf and have dinner with some old friends.  The trip in the Smartie with the 9'8" surfboard on top, made it with no problems.  I think MrsBlue was a little worried about traveling at 70+mph with that surfboard on top of the car.  

We did get a few looks...okay, several looks and comments along the way.  What...haven't these people ever seen a surfboard on top of a car :)

 However, we have arrived on the first leg of the trip to find FLAT and CHOPPY conditions here.  Looks like no surf this afternoon.  I think I will give it a go tomorrow morning just to saw I surfed here. 

Arrived Safe and Sound at Hurlburt Field

New Fin

After two days of surfing the beach break, I noticed my fin needed a replacement. So I talked MrsBlue into it, which really wasn't hard! Gave it a try this evening with a huge south wide and lots of chop. Tomorrow morning will tell the real truth...but initial feel is GREAT bottom turns...just what I needed. Still working the board walking...need more wave time!!!! Not sure that will happen in LA but I am going to try to stay in the water whenever I can~

HOME

Well, I have made it to Florida...I guess I'll call this home for the next few days.  We have begun the travels to our next assignment.  I'm trying to catch up with MrsBlue on mileage, but since she is with me...she's gaining miles as well.  

Did I mention, MrsBlue traveled over 60k miles while I was deployed.  I think we'll add these up to have the real figure soon.

It has been a good return to the states and I got my first surf session last night almost immediately after getting off the plane.  Then this morning was an 0600 run followed by a sunrise on the beach and then another surf session.

Love being by the beach.