Well, Loyal Airmen, the wait is over.  Two days ago our two of our six grandchildren, Cora and Alex, flew in from Denver. Colorado, to spend the next three weeks with Ye Old Air Chief and Valerie.
 
           
                             Alex & Cora After Long Day of Traveling

Tuesday afternoon they landed at the Manchester,NH, airport where Valerie and our daughter Michelle, and granddaughter Chelsea were waiting to welcome them for the very first time to New England.  Of course the lousy rainy weather we'd been having was in full force still.

           
                            Alex, Val and Cora by the pool in pouring rain.

When they awoke late the following day, the rain was still coming down in buckets.  As they sat on our porch eating breakfast, both of them were looking into the backyard at our swimming pool and simply longing to take a plunge.  Finally, looking to Val, they stated they very much wanted to go swimming, rain or no rain.  So she relented and handed me her digital camera.  It was so funny, both of them shivering as they jumped in and out of the water.  Ye Old Air Chief only wishes he had that much energy to spare.

              
                              Alex, Cora, cousin Chelsea & the Air Chief down by the river.

Finally, the sun returned today on what turned out to be a truly gorgeous morning.  It seemed like the kid's vacation was finally getting off on the right track after all.  After breakfast, we thought it would be fun to show them the surrounding area where our home sits.  Down the hill is the Salmon Falls river which separates the town of Somersworth,NH with Berwick, Maine.  There's a well work footpath along the river and we all took a little hike down to check it out.  What with the constant rain for the month or so, you can imagine the water was high and really up to the banks.  It was impressive to say the least.

Later Ye Old Air Chief took out the grill and we had hot dogs for lunch.  Then it was back in the pool for them. So the visit has started and Valerie has three weeks worth of fun day trips planned out.  We hope to take them up into the White Mountains and show them some attractions, then of course hit the beaches along the Maine coast and Sunday we'll be attending a Sea Dogs baseball came in Portland.  Going to make tons of wonderful memories for them while they are here and we know the next three weeks will fly by.

But family is everything in the world, so we sign off wishing all you Loyal Airmen the same summer fun.
Ron – Over & Out.