Holiday Travels, Part 1

Sorry for the hiatus from posting–we’re just now settling back into our routine after a couple of weeks of holiday travel!

We started out our travels the weekend before Christmas with Jake’s Navy Reserve drill, where he found out that he is the new Executive Officer for his unit.  Saturday, I enjoyed shopping while he did his drill.  I discovered some new shopping centers in the area and picked up a few last-minute gifts. 

Sunday, we enjoyed a picnic with Jake’s unit.  (I know, I know–a picnic in December?!?  I had the same reaction, but the weather was actually quite seasonable, though it was a bit windy.)  I enjoyed getting to know some of Jake’s fellow sailors during the group’s Thanksgiving and Christmas picnics, and I hope we have more opportunities to interact in the future.  The commanding officer’s wife was there, too, and I enjoyed chatting with her.  We’re hoping that all of us officer’s wives can make it to a springtime drill weekend for a night on the town.

After the picnic, Jake and I drove to Atlanta to visit my brother and pop in to see a few friends.  Since we arrived in the evening, we waited until Monday to meet up with Chris.  In the meantime, we checked into our room at the Air Force Inn at Dobbins Air Force Base in Marietta.  An explanation for those unfamiliar with military life: Members of the military can stay at inns or lodges on bases all over the U.S. (and abroad, too, I think) for personal reasons if there is space available.  (The same works for flights leaving military bases–it’s called “space a,” or “space available” travel.)  The rates are very reasonable, but since that was our first stay, we had no clue what sort of condition the room would be in.

We were very pleasantly surprised.  The room was spacious and clean, the bed was comfortable, and there was a kitchenette!  Plus, I don’t think we could have stayed anywhere safer…it doesn’t get more secure than a guarded military base.  The location was convenient, too–we were just minutes away from various restaurants and shopping centers, as well as Cumberland Mall.

 

My brother, Chris, and I at the hotel.

 

Stay tuned for part 2 of our holiday travels!

DCOIC

This is an old post I wrote that happened to get lost in the mix.  Whoops!

In early August, Jake completed the two-week Direct Commission Officer Indoctrination Course (DCOIC) as part of his training for his role as an Engineering Duty Officer in the Navy Reserve.  The training took place in Newport, Rhode Island.  Jake thoroughly enjoyed his time there.  Some highlights of the trip:

• Having dinner at the Officer’s Club (or the O Club, as the insiders call it).
• Taking pictures in his summer whites.
• Walking next to the northeastern coasts (which he had never done before).
• Eating at The White Horse Tavern, the oldest tavern in the United States.

Notice how most of the highlights happened when he was on liberty (during a weekend break) rather than during the actual training…

Here are some pictures from the trip:

I am always impressed with the pictures Jake takes when he is away.  He never picks up a camera at home, but he always comes away from a trip with lots of great images.