Time to Leave!

Well, my training time has ended.  My unit and I are preparing to leave within the next few days.  I feel very confident in our abilities and think we will be fine.   The picture is from some photography I did out on Tybee Island.  I spent a few days trying to shoot some island scenes and from the Savannah area as well.  Thanks to my good friend Bernie for the recommendations he gave me.  Soon I will be in  Kuwait and then on to Iraq.  I am ready to get this thing done and get back to my real life.  I know it will be about nine months but the time will fly by once we get over there and start doing our job.  Thanks to all the people who have sent me cards, letters, and packages.  I especially want to thank my family for supporting me in countless ways and all the sacrifices they have made.  Finally, thanks to all those praying for me and my family.  There have been so many well wishers and countless strangers that have thanked me for serving and supporting the country.  I will probably be out of touch for a couple of weeks, but will try to post when I can.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I will contact you via email when available.  Thanks again!  JT

Another long week

Just got done with another set of gruelling training days.  Up at 5:00am and in bed around midnight or later.  It sure is hard on an old body like mine.  The things we do in the name of “safety” and “control” are ridiculous.  the whole “train as you fight” thing is a bunch of crap!  The venerable “First Army” or “worst army” as we affectionately call them are just plain crazy.  We must adhere to unrealistic training scenarios that we would never even attempt in combat.  For example, we were required to man a full outpost at 100% security for an entire training day with one company’s worth of personnel.  We had no one for any other required support or rotations at all.  One company would never do that in combat.  Why do it in training to see how we would handle it?  It is ludicrous!  In addition to that, my own company leadership is not inspiring much confidence.  It seems we can’t move from one point to the other without getting lost.  We have spent the last two nights making u-turns after end ending up dead ended.  I hate mediocrity in people who are in charge!  I hope it gets better before we go.  I am still hanging in there.  Health-wise I’m not too bad with the exception of a monster migraine and some nausea last night.  I think I got a little too much sun.  It was nice yesterday, 65 degrees.  I hear they had snow at home yesterday!  I miss you all, both family and friends, a lot.  Keep me in your thoughts and prayers and I’ll post when I can.  Talk at you all later!  JT

Trainin’ down South

Danger!  Stay back!  You got that right!  Well, it has been a couple of weeks since I posted last due mainly to lack of an internet hookup.  I have been extremely busy working 20 hour days marching, shooting, and dealing with the great buracratic beast of the Army. I cannot begin to tell you the ineptitude and absurdity of what we have been subjected to.  I can only hope it gets better when we finally get in theater.  The weather here in south Georgia has been fabulous!  Sunny and warm with some rain but definitely better than the cold they have at home in Indiana.  As for me, I am fairing well and surviving the grind.  I really need more sleep and maybe more frequent showers! I can only relate to deploying while on active duty which was a picnic compared to this. We are doing stuff that we know we won’t ever come close to doing once we get on the ground. I will try to post when I can and keep praying for me. Thanks again for all your support! JT

Clifty Falls early fall

Here is a shot of Clifty Falls from last fall.  Haven’t had rain in about 2 months, so no water falling right now.  Also, the leaves are mostly brown from drought.  Not really expecting much color here due to local conditions.  Very easy falls to view and photograph if you are so inclined.  Two spots one on the falls side and one from the overlook on the canyon rim.  You will need some long glass from over ther though!

 

Here is a shot of clifty falls from this morning.  Similar conditions and flow but not as many leaves in the pic.