In June, Shannon left for his one year remote assignment to the Azores. In military terminology that means "your family is not allowed." Which was a real disappointment considering families were allowed there up until a year ago when they started to reduce the base to minimal manning. Thank you Congress. It is super unfortunate because the island of Terciera, one of the 9 islands that make up the Azores, is drop dead gorgeous. It is an island in the middle of the Atlantic, some 300 miles or so off the coast of Portugal and owned by the Portuguese. The language there is Portuguese and Lajes Air Force Base is a Portuguese base.
June 13th we flew together to Baltimore and boarded a Space Available flight to the Azores.
So once again Gavin experienced a bunch of firsts, and some for us too! It was his first trip across the Atlantic. Approaching the island was super cool. We were welcomed into Lajes with a team of personnel who shook hands and gave hugs and were quickly delivered to Shannon's new home, a quadraplex bigger than our own home in Montgomery. All kinds of souvenirs and local food and wine awaited us! Gavin and I both got to see our first Change of command as Shannon took over the 65th Communications Squadron. We bought our first $1000 car, an island bomber, which would take us all around exploring the island. Gavin experienced his first black sand beaches, lava rock, his first dip in the freezing Atlantic water, and his first dive off a diving board at the local pool. We all saw our first goat traffic jam on the roads through the center of the island. And later in our five week stay a cow stau (German for traffic jam). We all toured the ONLY volcanic pit you can tour in the world and explored caves! We hiked and explored different vegetation and learned a few Portuguese words. We ate Alacatra (beef stew, a signature dish), blood sausage, and TONS of fresh fish. We encountered astounding and unforgettable views of green pastures, miles of hydrangea bushes, and drastic colorful cliffs containing so much beauty you won't even believe it's real. We fished on a catamaran and caught fresh amberjack and feasted on Atlantic barracuda with the Captain. We golfed in high winds and toured an organic farm tasting some exotic fruits and veggies. We made great new friends in just a few weeks. Explored hiking trails through fields and farms to cliffs that scare the brave.
Shannon and I tasted moonshine from a bottle created by a man with no teeth, the label a simple piece of ripped up notebook paper, a Portuguese scribble and attached with a little Scotch tape. We traveled to another island, Sao Jorge, and tasted the worlds best coffee. Hiked trails to find bananas and oranges and saw breathtaking views. Most exciting of all we saw a Portuguese signature bull fight in the streets of a small village. What an experience that was!
We were awarded with an unstressful flight back to Kansas to see family. Fun activities included viewing the moon and stars in grandpa's telescope, catching fireflies, ruining shoes and clothes in the mud, and playing with old friends and the dogs, visiting the zoo, the childhood home of President Eisenhower and the lake! Even here in Kansas we experienced new things this summer. Feeding grandpa's pigs and chickens and seeing our first ever hatching of baby chicks and learning how to help them take their first drink. And last but not least, Gavin and I both got to hold the newest human baby on the Cummins' side, Noah. I think I enjoyed holding him a little more than Gavin did!
All in all, I think it was my best summer ever. Now we are back in Montgomery, getting settled back in and by Monday we are on to school and work. Gavin's teacher sounds like she is going to be great and we've done a few things to earn some brownie points already. And Gavin will be learning a little Espanol this year! Yay for Elementary Spanish! For some extra activities Gavin has joined a kids yoga class, will attend Scouts, and get some drum lessons rolling. Look out second grade, here we come!
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