2,000ft Above Sea Level

No pictures this time. I am waiting on my camera charger cord to make it's way over. Right now, it should be some where floating in the Atlantic Ocean. I have made it safely to my place of deployment. It's funny when I left I never thought it would take two weeks to finally get here. After setting up our area we have claimed the battle ground for our Unit. A lot of work to do changing things around to suit our needs, but considering the environment, it is not a bad set up. I really expected much worse. I will have pictures of the area to post when I get my camera charged back up. I miss everyone dearly. I have Internet access to feel free to email me or send me a facebook message. I will be sure to respond.

Pass...

 Korin came out for my four day pass that we were given before we left for Afghanistan. We may never get another chance to be in Seattle so we decided to take full advantage. The picture on the left is from Pike's Place Market. It had amazing vendors and one of the largest markets I have ever been to. Even the smell of large fresh fish that seemed to line the streets didn't diminish the busy market.

The picture on the right was taken from a memorial in Seattle that was honoring those men and women in the state of Washington that had given their lives in past American wars. Along with the names, they had engraved letters from soldiers that they had sent to their loves ones. Korin found this one from a soldier to his sweetheart. I think it fits.

 Surprise, surprise it's not sunny in Seattle. It basically looks like a gloomy mess most days, but Korin did take cool pictures of the needle. We took the picture right then because, at the time, we weren't sure if we would find it again. We kept getting turned around and a little lost. Google maps kept telling us that landmarks were closer than they were. A mile away was fine, till we walked the mile and Google updated and it was actually three miles away.

This picture was taken at the top of the Space Needle. We decided to have dinner there because we figured we may not have another chance to make it this far West. The rotating room and the night view of Seattle was amazing. The food on the other hand was dreadful. Anyone who makes a stop in this city, stay away from the restaurant. Pay a few dollars for the ride up, and there is a small cafe at the observation deck.

Um...it rains here...a lot.

 Well, I made it to the beautiful state of Washington and, yes, it does rain here all the time. Of course, half the time you don't even realize it is raining and when you do it doesn't last more than a few minutes. The torrential down pours from back home make this rain look like a misting. The picture left is my home for the next couple of weeks. Just because the mattress can lift up and allow for more space to put your belongings doesn't make it a great idea. I spent a few days constantly chasing my items around the floor because I lifted the mattress and they slid off.        

Think of an old prison movie where the inmates took care of themselves. That's kind of what our barracks look like. 

The Beginning

So, Team Hoskinson or at least one member has decided to take a trip to Afghanistan. I have decided to try and record my days through words and photos to better give my loved ones a better idea of what I will be doing in the coming months. The picture is the love of my life. I had a few limited pictures so I just grabbed one for the moment since this is my first entry. I will updating this blog with my adventures in the lovely state of Washington and also during my trials through the less civilized country of Afghanistan. Wish me luck!