June 2

Am in West Monroe, La.  About 110 miles from Scotty's house.  Left this afternoon after Don and "One of Scotty's Sisters," the one he's married to, actually, so no bad thoughts, took us through Barksdale Air Force Base.  This was a big treat for me, being an Air Force brat and all.  Barksdale is home to a number of Air Force commands, including the successor to SAC.  A real treat for me was driving past the 8th Air Force aircraft museum.  P-51, B-17, B-24, B-29 (in which both Pat's dad and mine served in WWII), B-47, B-52, KC-135, another, earlier tanker, an F-111, an SR-71, an F-86 (I think.  Might have been an F-84.). And a Mig-17 (I think it was a 17) and an RAF Vulcan.  Also, a C-45, and a C-47.  In a separate static display, saw an F-4, which my father was in when he retired, and an A-10 Warthog.  Also saw active duty Warthogs and B-52s.  It was great.  I haven't been on an Air Force base in many years.  Brought back many memories.

Don was active duty Air Force for over 20 years, including a stint as a navigator, which is what my father finished his career doing, and is now a civilian contractor for the Air Force.  You can maybe tell that Don and I got on really well.

Last night, whilst we were having a good old time, Shreveport got quite the thunder and lightning display and a heavy rain.  But ARVAKR was safe in Scotty's garage, and I bunked down in her son's bedroom, so all was safe and snug.  It did, however, suggest what Scotty's house is now called, at least in this blog.  I give you, Stormhaven.

Scotty keeps a glass egg that Pat and I gave her for being our wedding photographer on display in her home.  Also, two Japanese prints we gave her are on her living room wall.  I really like her house.  Excellent taste in decoration.  Also a very nice backyard that was trashed before.  Scotty's very significant other did much of the work - he built up a nice landscaping and pool business from scratch and you look at Scotty's backyard and know why.  And she moved in only in November.

Getting ready to depart Stormhaven.

A few observations, one kind of belated.  Another great Texas town name, Cut and Shoot.  Population around 1100.  I suspect it is named after the entertainment on Sat. night.

Next observation:  In Idaho, the birds by the side if the road are magpies and crows.  Farther east, it's just crows.  But in Louisiana, the birds by the side of the road are egrets.  The roadsides in Louisiana are decidedly upscale.

Pat has me about 90% convinced to head southeast to Natchez to pick up the Natchez Trace instead of picking it up farther north.  Will ponder it while I relax in my $45 Motel 6 deluxe accommodation.