"Doings" in the Desert

Last week we traveled from Las Vegas down to Ft. Irwin, California.  Where is Ft. Irwin, you ask?  WELL...it's hidden in the Mojave Desert!!  Why would we go to a desolate place in the middle of the desert?  To see FRIENDS, why else!!!!

Greg & Conli McVey and their sweet family

Greg worked with us at South Mountain Baptist Camp the first few years we were there.  It was so much fun to be able to catch up, as well as remember great times at camp.  I'm sure the kids and were bored hearing us talk and talk and talk.  In fact, they ended up going to another room to watch a DVD!!  

Ft. Irwin is the National Training Center for troops, especially those heading to the "Sandbox".  Greg was in the midst of this training while we were there, but he found time to come by and say hello.  Greg is an Army Chaplain and part of his job is training other chaplains how to be prepared in combat situations.  You can imagine how excited Max was being able to hear all about Greg's work, as WELL as just being on a military base.

The FamCamp here at the base is NOT the most exclusive campground, that's for sure!  Well, then again, maybe it is..IF you consider the word "exclusive" as being isolated!!!

Nope, we were not alone!  There were several other campers here, but I think we were the only ones just "passing through".  The rest were here waiting on housing, or living in their campers while stationed here.

Although the area is desolate, it was beautiful!  Now, if I was arriving here for the first time realizing I was going to LIVE here, I'm not sure what my reaction would be!!!  The nearest town is at LEAST 40 miles away.  Anyway, here are just a few pictures that we took while at Ft. Irwin and as we were leaving.

Many of the units who train here paint their emblem on the rocks entering the Fort

The coyotes just walked through the Base everywhere

This was right across the street from where we camped.  Nope, not going there!!

We teased Greg and told him not to worry about the "opposing troops"..they were broke down near us!! LOL

 

ONLY road leading in and out of Ft. Irwin!!!

We were so glad that we took the time to stop here on our way to the coast of California!  We were so blessed to see the McVeys and hear how the Lord is working in their lives. I also have a new appreciation of ladies, like Conli, who take up the slack while their spouses are defending our country and who treasure the time they do FINALLY get to spend with their men.   We also feel like we now have three more "adopted" grandkids!!

Thanks, McVeys, for making us feel so welcome!!!