Close Encounter

Scottie came inside this morning and told me not to come outside for a while. Like a child, this immediately sparked my interest and made me want to come outside even more to see what was going on. A good reason for caution and concern, Scottie stumbled upon a snake.



Not knowing whether or not the snake was poisonous was not a primary concern. Scottie went to the garage, got an ax, and finished the snake off.



A gentleman from the road must have seen Scottie swinging his ax next to our house and walked up to see what was happening. He informed us that the snake was most likely a gopher snake, a nonpoisonous snake that kills rattle snakes. Oops!



So, that was our excitement for Sunday morning. Who knows what the rest of the day has in store for us?

Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend was nice and relaxing. Sunday, we took another trip to the Colorado River. This river surely trumps the swampy and murky gator infested Florida rivers. There is a sense of security in being able to see through the water and not have to worry about the presence of mysterious creatures that could attack at any moment. However, Scottie did happen to hand wrestle with a large carp. Unfortunately, the carp got away and I was unable to capture the excitement on camera.



One of the fads of this particular trip was floating down the river. We would walk up stream and then let the current take us back to the boat.



Scottie spent a lot of his time playing in the water with Jake and Jadyn. If I were a kid, I cannot think of anyone else who would be more energetic and entertaining. The kids absolutely adore him.



As for things happening at the hacienda, we have become avid rabbit watchers. After a couple months of scattering rabbit food in our back yard, we could probably film a documentary on rabbits. The most we have seen at one time totals five rabbits. They come to feed every evening and are gradually getting used to us watching them through the sliding glass door.



Sometimes it is frustrating because it seems like they are always there now, especially when we need to go outside and put something in the recycling bin or on the grill. In addition, the rabbit food also attracts chipmunks, squirrels, and numerous species of birds. Apparently, we now have a zoo in our backyard. What have we gotten ourselves into???

Proud and Partial

The month of May has certainly proved itself worthy of the title "busiest month of the year" so far. Between work, school, and extra activities, we barely have time to slow down and catch our breath. The highlight of this past weekend was attending a Gretchen Wilson concert on base put on as a salute to the troops. The event was open to military affiliates and provided free food and entertainment. Each year, a major country music artist or group participates in the event. Therefore, we will most likely be attending these annual events during our tour at 29 Palms.



Gretchen Wilson really knows how to put on a great show. The playing of the national anthem with an electric guitar was one the highlights of the concert. A great sense of pride is felt when one can experience appreciation for his country and its freedom through musical expression. Perhaps that is why we love country music so much.



Another proud note to share, Scottie was awarded the Navy Commendation Medal last week for meritorious service during is previous term at Camp Lejeune. This is the highest award he can receive in his job (without being wounded of course). The demanding hours, high stress level, and devotion to duty paid off. Words cannot express how proud I am of Scottie's dedication and commitment to the Marine Corps and its mission.

The Great Outdoors

This past weekend was spent mostly in the California sun. We participated in the Naval Hospital's Annual Ridge Run which is a strenuous 8K race throughout the mountains behind the Naval Hospital on base. When they classified the course as strenuous, they meant it! There were at least two hills that were physically impossible to run up. We had a blast, even though we got lost at the end (the course was poorly marked). Now, it is easy to see why runners use GPS devices.

Scottie's first group of students had a class party/cookout on Saturday. The Marines and their families enjoyed two games of softball, horseshoes, and several rounds of corn hole (also known as bean bag toss) for recreational activities. We will probably experience many of these events during our stay at 29 Palms, for each class has a party before they graduate. These events are entertaining for Ali, because she gets to meet the students that Scottie frequently talks about.

Sunday was the highlight of our weekend. We accompanied the Fenenoz Family to the Colorado River for a relaxing day on the water. The river is about two hours away from 29 Palms. While the water temperature was slightly on the chilly side (it does not usually warm up until the summer), we managed to find ourselves submerged in it. Scottie and Joe enjoyed refreshing "Man Sodas" throughout the day. Most of the day, the adults were content with socializing while watching the kids play in the water. We also served as swimming coaches for Jake and Jadyn. A day on the river was a perfect way to end the weekend.