Monday

It's a nice day here in Italy. The rain has stopped and the sun is out. Elizabeth has gone to lunch with Rachael and to say goodbye. Dave, Rachael's husband, was Christian's chief warrent officer and his co-pilot, and she is leaving tomorrow.

Elizabeth has previously shown me where to get on the walking trail on base, so I decide to go out and get some exercise. I step outside and notice that the clouds have fallen down around the base of the mountains but I can see the summits of the Dolomites clearly standing above in the clear blue sky. I must have forgotten all my earth science and can't think of why this should be, but I know there is a simple and logical explanation. Can anyone enlighten me?

It's interesting living on this air force base. I can see why Elizabeth liked this military life. There is purpose and structure, direction and discipline, organization and unity. The walking path goes around the perimeter of the base for a mile and a half. It's interesting, the chain link fence with the spikey barb wire on top gives an ominious feel to those outside but for those inside it represents protection and safety. Only those who have identification and a pass, being sponsored by one who has legitimate reason for access to the base, can come inside that fence. Our friends and family are inside and potential enemies are outside.

All construction in Italy is concrete, steel and stone. We noticed this when walking around Elizabeth's neighborhood. Not just commerical structures are concrete but residential homes too. Luciano, an Italian who is married to Sharon, a DODDS middle school teacher, commented to us that the first time he was in the states and saw a house being built out of wood, stick construction, he wondered how the structure would stand. Here one sees huge cranes dotting the landscape- how else could you build a home or building? And so too on the base. All the facilities are made of concrete, and there is a lot of building on this base. There seem to be permanent, large cement mixers stationed by the new construction. I pass the concrete hangers dotting the area to my right, housing the F-16's. Many are out as I pass by, cockpits open and men walking around, inspecting or perhaps preparing to fly. Buses and large green tank trucks with orange writing, JET FUEL, pass me as I walk. Civilian cars and trucks go by along with military vehicles. I pass the fitness center, tennis courts, a golf course, office buildings, the officers club, housing. This is like a little walled village, but most communities do not have fighter planes and helicopters living among them.

On my way back there is the deafening sound of two F16's taking off simultaneously. As I watch them ascend together I get shivers down my back. They look magnificent as they race up into the sky towards the mountains. And as I continue walking I am treated to that sight two more times. They are flying some mission. Then a series of single jets take off. My father was a B-17 pilot in WWII perhaps that is why I find this so interesting.

Michelle brings Grady and Dyllan back to our apartment. They have a 2:30 appointment with the base vet, in preparation of our departure on Saturday. Elizabeth will be back soon.