The weekend before Lana and I left Italy we were able to take part in our squadron's ski trip to Austria. It was another chance for us to hit the slopes for some good snowboarding and hang out with the friends we had made during our time in Italy. Some of the ladies in the squadron made arrangements for us all to stay in a nice pensione/gasthof in a town close to Salzburg called Kirchdorf. This is close to the well known ski town of Kitzbühel where we spent all of Saturday enjoying the snow. I've said it before, but it's great snowboarding with Lana...we both enjoy the mountains and she's really good!
After a day on the slopes, it was back to the gasthof to clean up for our squadron Christmas dinner. Some of us were a little annoyed we had to dress up after a day of snowboarding, but the evening was nice. It was also my farewell dinner...kind of a sad moment for Lana and I as we didn't want to be leaving. But, such is the military life and it was time to move on. Our squadron commander said a few words about Lana and I before giving us a chance to say some things. I wanted to say more than just, "Flying is awesome, I've enjoying being in the 510th, keep working hard, etc." Even though all of that is true there is more to life than flying fighter jets. I may not always be the best example of this, but it's true. I wanted to point out the fact everything in my life has been a blessing from God from flying the F-16 to meeting Lana in Europe, God is in control! It's why Psalm 31:14-15a is at the top of my blog...our times are in His hands.
Sunday morning Lana and I said some last goodbyes before driving to meet her grandparents 30 min away from where we were staying. Our car was packed full of things we didn't have the Air Force ship, and the plan was to have her grandparents take it to their place so Lana could pick it up later after getting settled back in Munich. Lana also went with them because she had a flight to L.A. the next day. After eating lunch together, we parted ways and I started the drive back to Aviano. This time it was shorter for me to drive to Innsbruck and then south back to Italy through Cortina. To make a long story short, my trip took much longer than normal due to my route being closed due to snow. After about a 7hr 30min (usually 5) drive I was back in Sacile. The next day I finished my the last of my paperwork at the base and flew to Munich the next. Flying from Venice for the last time was strange, but I was eager to see and travel Asia during my time at Kunsan. Lana and I are in the US now with my family enjoying the Christmas season. The last time we were all together was at our wedding about 15 months ago! HAPPY HOLIDAYS!
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