Scott Air Force Base

We've left the birds of Blackhawk Valley for a different kind of bird. Our RV site is in the FamCamp at Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. The 'birds' are the type the Air Force keeps around for a variety of uses. As we turned into the campground we passed a whole flock of KC135 aerial tankers. At the same time, there was a C5A on final approach. We're just far enough from the runway that the noise is not terribly loud.

Drive time from Rockford to Mascoutah was about 7 hours. No major hills to overcome in central IL, so it was a fairly smooth and easy trip. Son, Steve, met us near the main gate and got our base passes for us. First order of family business after setting up the RV was to attend a baseball game in Mascoutah. Steve is the team coach and the two boys, Daniel and Maciek, are on the team. They won, 12 to 8. I have a feeling that we will be taking in a number of baseball games during the 2+ weeks we will be here.

Mascoutah is about 30 miles east of St. Louis. The town population is about 8000, and growing. As you go about the town it's easy to see the influence of the air base in the businesses and also the appearance of a majority of the males. The military haircut is a dead giveaway.

When Steve retired from the Air Force a year ago he decided that Mascoutah was a nice, wholesome place to live. He got a job on the base, as a civilian, and is doing pretty much the same job he did while he was on active duty. The difference now is the AF can't send him overseas again as they did so often while he was active.

We'll be spending some time on the base during the next couple of weeks. It's been many years since I was in a military environment. It's familiar, but definitely something from another time period of my life. I expect most of our time will be with Steve and family going to ball games and doing other small town and family things.

Oh, and Dusty (our cat) now has a new home with Steve and his kids (they wanted him). Dusty made the trip just fine, and seems to be adjusting to his new home quite nicely.

Check back often.

Dave & Pat