Apache Helicopter - 21 July 2011

Our Ashland Retiree Club did a tour of the 158th Aviation Regiment "Texas Thunder". This was a excellent show of the USA military power. The Test Pilot and trainer gave the tour and had a hellfire missile, some rockets as well as 30 mm cannon shells set on a table by the Apache helicopter. The women in our group were impressed as the men at this firepower. The tour guide allowed our group to climb a platform to look into the cockpit of this very large helicopter. You can only imagine the adrenaline rush you would get flying this machine in combat. This unit has deployed several times to Iraq and Afghanistan.

After the tour, we had lunch in Old Town Spring at Wunsche Bros Cafe & Saloon. The specials were chicken and dumplings and meatloaf but the menu had many choices of southern cooking. Everybody enjoyed the tour and lunch plus a chance to shop in Old Town Spring.

Beach Week - 10 July 2011

This will be a fun family vacation as Donna and I enjoy a week of sand and surf on Galveston Island. Dan and Tammy will join us with Matthew, Jackson and Ted. Brother David and his wife Linda will drive over to join us.

Much of our time will be on the island beach but we do have a few trips planned to Moody Gardens. Palm Beach, the Colonel Paddlewheel boat, aquarium, IMAX theater and the Rainforest are all attractive to the grandsons at Moody Gardens.

4th of July

Donna and I are celebrating the 4th of July with Dan, Tammy and the 3 grandsons. The subdivision had their parade, fun run and Clubhouse activities and we will swim at the East Pool for a late afternoon cool down. The pool is open until 9 pm today.

We have the American Flag flying from its pole in our front yard and honor our founders as well as all military men and women that are serving this great country. The city is having its big fireworks display off Allen Parkway near downtown at 9:30 pm.