Today we stayed close to home (it was nice to sleep in) and experienced Carroll County culture. With Brenda not home to prepare breakfast (she had to go to work), the group took advantage of the moment and ate their cheesecake for breakfast.

Cheesecake for breakfast?!?

The day started with the IACE cadets and escorts flying Orientation flights in Civil Air Patrol aircraft.  I want to thank Capts Pat Aaron and Marty Sacks for flying our guests and providing them a terrific experience.  All of them stated what a great time they had and how much fun they had. During this time Sharon got in some more shopping with assistance from Becca Gnau.  They visited Walmart, Old Navy and Marshall’s.  We met up with Lt Rick Stuart while at the airport and he joined us for lunch at Panera Bread.

Yariv, Nate, and Marty Sacks after a CAP orientation flight

We were later joined by Leah Fournier and Joey Mack, both from Carroll Composite Squadron, and drove over to the Baltimore Ravens training camp’s afternoon practice.  While the actual practice didn’t hold much interest to the cadets, the Ravens fun zone was a hit – as were the cheerleaders (at least for Nate and myself).  We also had our first injury consisting of a sore wrist.  After some first aid (ice) provided by Leah and some conversations with Dana (a Raven’s Cheerleader) the sore wrist was forgotten.

American football with the Baltimore Ravens

A short drive to the Carroll County Agricultural Center got us face to face with Carroll’s farming heritage and lots of cows, sheep and goats.  When the schedule was first created we weren’t sure if this visit would go over well but as the pictures attest everyone seemed to have a good time.  A visit to the ice cream shop also helped. (Be sure to look in Photo Gallery 2 on the blog header for the photos).

Sharon at the 4H Fair

Then it was back to the Reed house to have another home-cooked meal which included corn on the cob from the garden.  Everyone then got into their uniforms and headed over to Carroll Composite Squadron’s weekly meeting.  During the meeting, our guests participated in the monthly moral leadership discussion before taking part in a question and answer session, where the CAP cadets were able to ask all kinds of thing of the IACE group.  Questions ranged from military specific, accourtourments on their uniforms, to what kind of TV shows do they watch.  During closing formation the IACE delegation was presented gifts from the squadron and Wing.

Cadets of Carroll Composite Squadron (IACE in center)

Several of the Carroll cadets and officers wanted to spend more time with the IACE group, so we wandered over to Chik-fil-A for something to drink.  Everyone relaxed and the discussions were varied.  Eddie and Harry showed us how to text message on their cell phones using Chinese characters.  A quick stop to Wal-Mart for batteries and a few other supplies, and we were on our way home to get a good night sleep in preparation for the next day.

Tom Reed