A Georgia Girl in Germany

Well, I survived my second trip to Iceland in as many months. It's definitely interesting to sit in a room with ambassadors, government ministers and advisors, and top DOD/State people! I was hoping to have a little free time during this visit, but alas, it wasn't to be this time either. C'est la vie. But, I did manage to get a few photos of Icelandic outdoor "art." Apparently the rock structures once were used to mark the walking routes between towns, but now are used to either mark where off-road vehicles are allowed to drive in the lava fields...or as local art. The last photo is of a "family" just outside the NAS Keflavik gate.

I returned late Friday afternoon, and was able to pick up MacKenzie and Benjamin that night (Zachary was on a two-night Webeloes campout, so I didn't see him until this morning when I went out to the campsite to gather him and his stuff). They were both glad to see me, and while they enjoyed staying with the Stonemarks, they were glad to head home. Unfortunately, within two hours of getting home, Benjamin was sick...and not just the simple not feeling well sick. I changed sheets and laid towels over his clean sheets and on the floor in his room so I wouldn't have quite as much laundry to do in the morning. But, with six rounds over six hours, there was still quite a bit! The good news is he's feeling better now and has a portion of his appetite back. But, I sure was tired yesterday!

Last night, MacKenzie also had a scouting campout. Hers wasn't a true campout, but rather an indoor sleepover at the Scout Hut. They went for a nature walk--including Snipe Hunting--and stayed up late, so naturally she had a blast! When the boys and I arrived to pick her up this morning (Zachary smelling quite strongly of campfire, mind you), she and her troop were just finishing up breakfast. The scrambled eggs were gone, and they were still working on the S'Mores. What a breakfast! The photo below is proof that she and her best friend Emma enjoyed the morning menu!!
Back to Zachary: He worked on whittling four walking sticks this weekend...because the first three broke, and even earned another Polar Bear patch. He earned his first one in San Antonio a couple years ago, of all places, and now earned his second in spring--the last day of April! I was surprised he didn't earn it during his October campout...that one was definitely cold!! He's about to run out of room on his Cub Scout vest for all his patches, but I suppose that's good because it means he's been busy enjoying scouting.

MacKenzie's troop sleepover was her last scouting event with her troop for the year since her troop leader is moving back to the states in a couple weeks. So, MacKenzie's already pulled out her Try-It book so she can work on earning more patches. She received her five new ones for this past year, and completed another one tonight. She's almost done with a second one!! Kinda reminds me of this past summer when she had Nana and Grandma working with her almost constantly on nine Try-Its! At least she enjoys it...although she told me she wants to earn all of the rest of them in the book this summer (24 down, 32 to go!). Talk about a slave-driver!!

Labels: Iceland, MacKenzie, Travel

Well, I certainly did not mean to have this long of a lapse in updating my posts…my goal was to update at least every weekend instead of every month, but we’ve been kinda busy of late. Matt came to visit the kids for just over a week, then I figured I’d get something posted during this past week...until I had a short-notice TDY to Iceland. So, in the spirit of keeping everyone updated, I figured I should start somewhere…again.
I found out late Monday afternoon that EUCOM was sending a delegation to Iceland on Wednesday for discussions with the Iceland government about how the US would provide for the defense of their country per our 1951 agreement with them while still closing NAS Keflavik by September. Since we were expecting hostile and ambush media after the talks, we wanted a PA to be part of our delegation to handle the situation and keep our general off-camera (Big-State and DOD needed to take the lead on talking with the media). The good news is that the discussions went as well as and better than expected, and the media wasn’t hostile or hounding us. After working with the embassy PA and the ambassador, we actually managed to keep our general away from the cameras other than the photo sprays before the discussions and filming/photos as we left. Plus, all the Icelandic media coverage has been neutral-to-positive about the talks, so that makes it a success in my book.

The downside is that I didn’t have much free time at all. A couple of us managed a quick stop by “The Pearl” after our embassy meetings on Thursday for some delicious ice cream (I couldn’t refuse that suggestion) and wonderful photos of Reykjavik. The Pearl sits atop a hill and overlooks the city. It’s part museum, part restaurant and part hot-water holding tanks. And it was definitely COLD and WINDY up there--the high that day was 36, with a wind chill of 18! Just as I was getting ready to welcome spring in Germany, I get thrown back into the bitter cold. This photo is taken from the observation platform there, with Mount Esja in the background--the name translates literally to "Easy Mountain" because it's less than a 1,000m hike (not climb) to the top…not that I’d aspire to hike it, especially in this weather!
The other thing I found interesting was all the lava fields. There were even houses built in the middle of them, right along the shoreline. Talk about beach-front property! No grass to mow, and no sand to sunbathe on. We also passed a golf course in the lava fields--definitely wouldn’t want to get off the green on that one!! Here's a glimpse of this golf course (greens are on the right)...
After the discussions Friday, we had to book it back to Keflavik to check out and hop aboard our sardine-can-sized C-21 for our return trip. Fortunately, we made good time and made it back to the Army Air Field before quiet hours began (aka when the airport closes) so we didn’t have to divert overnight. The kids were definitely glad to see me. Zachary and MacKenzie had made a sign welcoming me home and taped it on the wall just outside our door. Even though I was tired, it brought a huge grin to my face. When I went to pick up Benjamin Saturday morning, he was looking out the rooftop window calling out to me. When I got inside, he ran to me and gave me a huge, long hug...I don’t think he’s given me quite that big of a hug in a long time!

So, now we get back into our routine for one more week before taking off for Spring Break. Nana and Papa are coming to visit, and the kids are very excited about getting to see them. We’re not sure yet what exactly we’ll do while they’re here, but we’re looking forward to their visit nonetheless.

Labels: Iceland, Travel