Exploring the Base

As I said in an earlier post we are about 25 minutes away from base by car. Many of you may be wondering why we don't live on base. It was not an option for us. Mike is a contractor and therefore not eligible for military housing but we do have access to the Commissary and most of the facilities like the library, fitness center and parks.

This was my first time on a base of any sort and it is a great resource but also very limited at the same time. The Commissary is the grocery store (sometimes called the PX). They do have much of the stuff we have in the states but I was struck by how limited the produce is and by the unexpected pricing. $5.99 for a pound of strawberries but $1.50 for an 8oz. block of Tillamook extra sharp cheddar, easily twice that in Chicago! Still, I have been able to get most everything we need.

The restaurants on base are all fast food and all disappointing: Taco Bell, Chili's, A&W, Manchu Wok, Sbarro Pizza, Popeye's, McDonald's, Baskin Robbins and of course Starbuck's

The playgrounds, however, are plentiful and very impressive. Like this one that is attached to the elementary school.

  This one alone kind of makes me wish we lived on base.

 ...and I know Reese wishes she could come here every day!

There is also the NEX (Naval Exchange) which is any of several stores that sell home furnishings, kid and baby clothing and gear, sporting goods and electronics. They are separate buildings but together you can find anything you might get at a Target or Walmart. 

The biggest problem with base, other than the distance is that until my paperwork was processed, I could not access base without Mike. This did not happen for a full 2 weeks after we had arrived. Plus I couldn't drive until I took the mandated, week-long Area Orientation Brief (AOB) so I felt very dependent on Mike for several weeks. Very difficult when all I wanted to do was feel normal again.