Yesterday, we had to go down to Beale AFB so I could renew my military-dependent ID card.
It was an all-day trip.
About Beale AFB
The host unit at Beale is the 9th Reconnaissance Wing (9 RW), assigned to the Sixteenth Air Force, Air Combat Command. The Wing collects intelligence essential for presidential and Congressional decisions critical to the national defense. The Wing flies the USAF fleet of Lockheed U-2 "Dragon Ladies" and Northrop Grumman RQ-4 Global Hawk unmanned aircraft, and operates associated ground support equipment. It also maintains a high state of readiness in its combat support and combat service support forces, ready to deploy, if ordered, to carry out military operations.
After we left the base we drove through Marysville - a small town in the Central Valley - since we brought Laydee with us, we took her for a walk around this little lake in the middle of their downtown.
Laydee must have thought we were cruel - here she is a black lab, loves water to swim, and is a bird dog. There were geese and coots everywhere.
She was drooling -
They were friendly - probably used to being fed by humans. Soon, they realized I had no food for them and paddled away.
It was a lovely day - a bit cooler than I like but still didn't need a coat - if you walk fast, you're warm.
Pretty little gazebo. The city park and lake were built in 1940.
It was such a charming park - but in certain areas of the park, I saw guys using drugs - some passed out. Seems Marysville suffers from some of the big city woes with homelessness, crime, and drugs.
I bet in 1940 when the park was built, they didn't have these issues - or they weren't as bad as they are today. Beale AFB was established in 1942 and is only a few miles from Marysville.
One thing Marysville has going for them is an abundance of really good, Mexican Food. So we stopped at a local taqueria and it did not disappoint. There is a huge migrant community, due to the central valley farms.
Due to its close proximity to the gold country, it has a neat historical past having to do with mining and people coming from all over the world to set up mining camps - thus springing up small towns - many just boom towns that faded away - Marysville has stood the test of time.
They have an old Chinese temple that sprung up during the gold rush days - we just didn't have time to visit but need to go back.
It was a very pleasant day and we got that necessary errand out of the way.
We are familiar with Marysville because we are considering retiring in Yuba City, just across the Feather River from Marysville. Looks like you a very nice day. My husband worked at Castle AFB, when it was still open, back in the late 80s and early 1990s. Occasionally, he had to go up to Beale AFB. We like the Sacramento area. Our oldest son lives in Rancho Cordova. It was fun to see pictures from Marysville. I hope you have a good week. See you again soon!
ReplyDeleteWhat a lovly tour! But so sad about the drug paople! I love your photo of the white ducks and their beautiful reflections!
ReplyDeleteI've always liked Marysville. It's a charming town. I would look for housing almost every day there when I was searching, but I ended up in the mountains. I never found anything that worked out in Marysville, but I do like the town. Those geese pictures are so pretty. Are the white ones geese also? Glad you had a good day passing through and a good meal at the taqueria.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Quite the tour you went on. I guess your husband is in the USAF. Both my husband and I were in it too but we were in England at RAF Bentwaters/Woodbridge when we met mid 1970s. I did meet a Dragon Lady that flew a U2 at the airshow in Hillsboro this year. She wrote a book so I bought one from her which she autographed. I like the interesting birds you saw in the pond/river where you were. I'm glad your dog didn't go after the birds!! Have a good day!
ReplyDeleteNo my husband spent 10 yrs Navy and 10 years Coast Guard and retired out. All military retirees can use bases closest to them for services, which helps.
DeleteThat is so cool you served in the RAF.
Looks like a picture perfect day! The geese and the pond and park are all so lovely. It's sad to hear that the homeless and addicted are there...it's sad that they have chosen to live that way for whatever reasons/traumas that have happened in their lives. My heart breaks for them, and yet I don't know how to help them when so many don't seem to really want help. It's a very difficult thing indeed. Oh, I responded to your comment on my blog about my cousin's wife Joy. Please go check it out and let me know if they could be the same. Very interesting. I'm wondering how old your friend Joy could be. Mine is close to 70-ish. She's a wonderful person. I hope you have a blessed and wonderful rest of your week.
ReplyDeleteYes it is the same person! And yes, a wonderful person and awesome Christian lady.
DeleteWhat a noice day for a trip:)
ReplyDeletePoor Laydee! I'm sure she was just hoping one of the birds would get close enough. :)
ReplyDeletePretty little park and pond. I suspect that there are very few places in this world where homelessness and the associated problems aren't prevalent.
Yes Laydee was very excited
DeleteDearest Debby,
ReplyDeleteWell, one certainly would not mind having to go to such an interesting area for the necessary ID card.
Perfect weather and so many interesting things—minus the junkies but we too encountered them on our walk in the park in Knoxville, TN.
Glad the food was great, that makes you fit for the drive back.
And Laydee must have been on a leash—for preventing her to follow her instincts.
We too have a fabulous AFB in about 45 minutes driving from our home. That's where we have always taken our guests for an entire day outing.
https://mariettesbacktobasics.blogspot.com/2019/10/visiting-museum-of-aviation-in-warner.html
Hugs,
Mariette
I always enjoy visiting military bases. My husband always wants to plan trips around bases since we get a retiree discount on lodging. The museums on bases never disappoint - they are always interesting.
DeleteSo very true!
DeleteLove the ducks!!
ReplyDeleteA lovely day for a trip.
What a lovely place to visit. Love seeing all the bird pictures.
ReplyDeleteGod bless.
Looks like a very enjoyable all day errand! I liked learning about the Dragon ladies. And poor Laydee - I'm sure she wanted to swim.
ReplyDeleteSad to hear that the druggies are hanging out at Ellis Lake. I spent many trips there as a kid when we had good friends that lived in Yuba City. We went to the hydro boat races a few times there as well. I think that was back in the late 60's early 70's. Now days we go by Ellis lake a few times every year heading up to some of our favorite camping spots.
ReplyDeleteLeslie