23 July - Commissary and Dinner with Tim Tyvan and Kim

23 July
Today we made a commissary run into Fairchild Air Force Base and while we were there we checked out the FamCamp (base campground).  This would have been our alternate if Clear Lake was not available.  The down side on the on-base FamCamp is they do not accept reservations, so it is first come, first served.  That is a crap-shoot for us as our RV is fairly large and we cannot fit into many older campgrounds.  When we cruised through the FamCamp it confirmed out suspicions.  There was only one campsite available.  Glad we had reservations where we are, even if it is a bit tight.

On the way back to the campground we stopped and washed the truck and then we pulled up to a traffic light and I had to laugh.  Check this out.  Fill'er up, get a wash, do your clothes, grab some munchies, buy some bait, and score some herbal refreshment, a little doobie don't you know LOL!!

We returned to the campground and after lunch took care of some tasks around here and then our friends Tim Tyvan and Kim arrived. As mentioned yesterday, Tim and I both served in the Air National Guard. When I met Tim he was the State Command Chief of Washington State and then went on to become the State Senior Enlisted Advisor. Prior to that he was a TAC-P, a member of Air Force Special Operations.  "Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) specialists imbed with Army and Marine units on the front line with the incredible responsibility of calling in an air strike on the right target at just the right time."  Earlier in his career, SMSgt Tim Tyvan is profiled in this photo which was on the nightly news today:

Most recently, Tim and I both served on the Air National Guard Enlisted Field Advisory Council (EFAC). Tim was the EFAC chairperson and I was a regional representative for the Midwest. For those not in the military it may be a bit hard to understand but we form a special bond and it is for life. I was fortunate to have met Tim through EFAC and we have been friends ever since. I am so glad we were able to get together here and we will surely see both Tim and Kim again before we leave. 

So our RV has passed through Washington State, and we needed to document this historic event on our United States map which we received from Maj Gen Greg Schwab and Debbie for my military retirement!  We passed this honor to Tim since he is from Washington State, and he placed the sticker!  Wow, we only have five more states to fill in on this journey:  Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.    

I had not seen Tim since I retired so I presented him with my retirement coin and he reciprocated.  This tradition of exchanging coins is another unique military tradition.  I am honored to have received his coin!

Tim and Kim gave us some suggestions for things to do this week to include a Spokane tubing float trip, the Arbor Crest Wine Cellars, Manito Park and the Spokane Indians vs Everett AquaSox (SF Giants single A team) baseball game.   We also plan to get back together with Mike Fassler and we will see Doreen's cousin John Schwandt plus Bob and Phyllis again on Saturday.  Wow, this trip is sure going by quickly!!  Loving every minute of it!