Today we took a tour of Fort Campbell... the 101st Airborne army base where Archie is stationed at. It's pretty amazing that after you go through the guarded entrance that you are basically entering a different sub-culture... certainly one that is different from one that we live in. The base is huge and is basically it's own contained city. Just think of the city of Goshen (with a whole bunch of open fields included) all within a gated fence... that's the best way to say it and compare it's size. Of course most of their industry is army related but they have everything you need... 5 elementary schools, 2 jr. highs and sr. high, a hospital, dental, groceries, gas stations, stores, gyms, churches (like 5 or so that I saw). It is 164 square miles!! It was pretty amazing. Michelle and I could basically think of no reason as to why you would have to leave the army base... except the dental clinics only care for soldiers, not the families (just to manage their patient loads).
We also toured their base's museum. This base's specialty is helicopters... the black hawks that you see on the news etc... most of them are based here. I have now gone through quite a few airplane type of museums with Quinn's infatuation over the years. Much of the "air history" is attached to the military in some way... how instrumental they have been in our country's history. No matter what my feelings are about wars and fighting, I'm always humbled and nearly ashamed of my basic ignorance as to the sacrifice in the name of freedom that these men and women and their families have made across the decades. It's so amazing to read about "real" people that were instrumental in WW II, Vietnam, Dessert Storm and now Iraqi Freedom. It just makes you look at things differently... I know most of you aren't as interested in aviation as my family is (or part of us is) but I encourage you that if you get a chance to walk through such a museum, just for the educational value, to do so. And give Quinn a call, I'm sure he'll be happy to be your personal tour guide.
This afternoon we dyed Easter eggs with Jade and hid Easter eggs for her in the house. It's freezing cold today... even saw some snow flakes, so that kept us inside for part of the time. It was extra fun and special because this was Jade's first time for those activities. She really enjoyed all of it... she was the record holder for the fastest Easter egg dyer... she had her eggs dipped in dye and done in no time.
Tomorrow we head for the North. I'm ready for my own bed but not ready to get back to the busyness of life I guess. We've enjoyed our time away so much and feel so blessed to have the opportunity to take vacations. So many kids never experience other communities. That in itself amazes me. It's about an 8 hour drive home tomorrow. I probably won't post tomorrow night unless it's to say we made it home safely. The unpacking is not nearly as fun as the packing in anticipation to go somewhere. As my mom has advised me before, I'll try to "focus on being glad that this vacation happened... and not be sad that it's over."
Love to all of you, Leah
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