We fiddled around this morning until 1100 or so then headed across town to visit the Humane Society Thrift Store. When we got there, I discovered that we didn’t have Max’s leash so he couldn’t go in. To rectify this Diane gave me permission to go all the way back to the RV and get it, all by myself. First time for me driving off base. I admit it was a little scary, but I managed to get there and back, with the leash, without either falling down, or running into someone.

When I took Max into the facility, he was immediately accosted by all the women gathered near the front door. Apparently, they knew he was on his way. He was thoroughly pampered by the time I pried him loose and set off in search of Diane.

I told Max to “find Mom,” and he dutifully dropped his nose to the floor as if searching for her and led me off across the store. I actually thought he was on her trail until we passed the row she was in. I called him back and he when he saw her, he just melted and ran to her like he hadn’t seen her for days. It was quite a moving sight.

We walked around the store for a while, running into a few ladies who didn’t meet him at the front door.

After leaving the store, we headed way across town to have lunch at Freddy’s. They have custard and steak burgers. That caught Diane’s eye.

We parked in front, and I entered the facility to see if it would be OK if Max came in also. The gentleman at the count emphasized that “service dogs” are welcome. After a little talk about that he made it clear that I didn’t have to certify that he was a service dog. It took a bit for me to understand what he was really saying. essentially, he was OK with Max if I called him a service dog, which I did. He was under our booth, keeping an eye on the people coming and going, and they even brought him a bowl filled with custard topped with peanut butter sauce. He actually ate it slowly as if to savor this treat.

I had a chicken sandwich and got Diane a double patty steak burger for Diane.

After lunch Diane wanted to investigate the Elks Lodges in the area. There were three of them. She’s looking for a place to have Thanksgiving dinner. The area where the lodges live are a little bit scary. All the yards are surrounded by unfriendly fences making one wonder about the reason for a need for such fences. I think she crossed the Elks off her list for Thanksgiving.

She plotted our course for home and about halfway there I unplugged her phone and put mine on with directions to the only Eagles Aerie in the area. It turned out to be pretty nice and might be a perfect replacement for the Elks Lodge. Think she wishes to try out a Monday night Bingo session and give this place the “sniff” test, checking to see if the folks are friendly.

Another feasible solution is the base mess hall. It’s called a dining facility, but it’s really a Mess Hall. I have no doubt they would provide a really nice Thanksgiving meal. We’ll see how that works out and you can be sure I’ll tell all.

From there we went home for real. Once we got on base Diane made Max and me get out of the car so we could walk the last mile or so. Max needed to walk so it was really OK. Diane even had me keep the front door keys saying she would just sit on the patio and wait for us.

Here are some of the planes we could see from the RV park as we walked home …

I wish there was a way we could get in and visit the rows of fighter jets. There is no apparent access to common folks to this area of the base.

When we got home, she was waiting for us.

As always, no matter where home is, it’s always good to be there. Don’t you agree?

Cheers.