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Military Life

Living at Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

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Happy to have this guest post by Dawn on Hurlburt Field AFB in Florida. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living at Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

The Florida Gulf Coast, or more lovely referred to as “Red Neck Hawaii” or “Red Neck Riviera” is home to Hurlburt Field and Eglin AFB. If you look at a map, the bases appeared to be joined but in reality, they function as two completely separate bases. Eglin AFB is the largest Air Force Base in the world and that doesn’t even include Hurlburt Field.

Hurlburt Field AFB, FloridaThe Base

You’ll find all the same services on both bases, which is nice. But of course, with the size of Eglin comes a few more conveniences, like longer operating hours.

If you are looking for service on Hurlburt, there is this amazing app the base has created to help you get around and find all the contact information you are looking for. It’s called 1 SOW- Hurlburt Field AFB from GLIP Inc. A must have if you are new and come to Hurlburt Field for the first time. I recommend this for both you and your spouse. I haven’t seen it at any other base and we love having everything right on our phone for easy access. Available for Android and IOS!

 

Places to Live

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

Where to live is another important question everyone wants to know about! If you’re going to be stationed at Hurlburt, there are a few areas you’ll want to stick around. Assuming a 30-minute commute, the east Side of Gulf Breeze is the furthest you’ll want to go east. If you want to go west, the northwest tip of Okaloosa Island is the furthest you’ll want to go. 98 really is the biggest limiter in commute because the traffic gets pretty rough. About once a week there’s an accident on that road and most routes to and from really depend on 98.

Mary Esther and Fort Walton Beach are both super close to base. But you will definitely pay a premium for those houses. The area is well established and there aren’t a lot of new houses going up. And there hasn’t been for probably 30 years. That has some perks, of course: The landscaping is mature, the community has plenty of build up and you’re never too far from anything you need. The down side there is that the schools aren’t the best. But they do have a few private schools if you fall in love with the area. Okaloosa Island is absolutely gorgeous! The houses there definitely reflect that in their price, though. And getting any kind of land is basically unheard of. If you want a nice condo, though, this is DEFINITELY where you want to start looking! Be aware that during tourist season, though, you’re going to hate everything.

Navarre and East Gulf Breeze are relatively new communities, which means you’ll get newer houses. And they’re cheaper than older houses, too! You’re going to enjoy the beauty of Navarre beach without as much tourist traffic. The schools are highly rated and the area is nice and relatively quiet. But it definitely has a “middle of nowhere” vibe. You’re not going to have all the luxuries, but hey, at least there’s a Wal-Mart! If you need more shopping choices, you can always drive East to Fort Walton where you’ll find the Santa Rosa mall and lots of other smaller shopping complexes. If you want to more choices, I recommend the Cordova Mall in Pensacola or the outdoor shopping at Destin’s Commons. If you are looking for big brand shopping at low prices,
there is always Silver Sand’s Premium Outlet Mall in Destin. It’s worth the drive every couple of months.

Great Places to Eat

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

While you’re here, you’re going to want to eat. So where do you go? I’m going to give you some of my favorites for you to try while you’re here. If you try nothing else on my list, you must go to: McGuires Irish Pub. With two great locations in Pensacola and Destin, there really is no excuse for you to miss this experience. Irish pub grub delivered with ales brewed in copper kettles, plus live music most nights. You won’t be disappointed. Be sure to try the Split pea soup, you’ll thank me later! Keep in mind that this is THE tourist spot, though, and plan to eat at off-peak times or plan for a wait. But there’s a reason everyone wants to eat here, I promise it’s worth it!

Some of my other favorites in the area:

TASTE | Tapas & Wine Bar – Fort Walton Beach Premiere Wine
bar serving fusion tapas and varieties of wine. They serve and
amazing brunch menu too.
Ali Baba Grill Cafe – Casual spot for familiar Turkish & Greek
recipes offered à la carte & at a buffet, plus beer & wine in Fort
Walton. If you’re coming from a European Base, this is the closest
you’ll get to Doner Kebabs anymore. And, really, they aren’t that
far off.
Helen Back Cafe – American sports bar with a patio, drink
specials, hand-tossed pizza & sandwiches, plus theme nights.
With 4 location in Fort Walton, Crestview, Navarre, and Niceville.
 Military night and dollar pizza night. The pizza is just wonderful
greasy, cheesy goodness. It doesn’t get any better folks.
Johnny Huston’s Grille and Bar –Local watering hole pairing
burgers & other pub grub with drinks in a casual, down-home
setting in Navarre. I haven’t had anything I don’t like here. Try
their Mac and Cheese Burger…omg yum.
Juana’s Pagodas –Waterfront bar & grill with lots of
entertainment, including live music, beach volleyball & pool write
on the Navarre Beach Sound.  Their breakfast is really amazing.
 Try the French Toast with homemade Cinnamon Raisin Bread.
The Slippery Mermaid Sushi Bar – Creative, sushi-centric menu in
a quaint house with sake & a screened porch with a view of the
sound in Navarre.  This place is small but the Sushi is top-notch!
Flounder’s Chowder House – Chowder house with real
confessional booths & stained-glass windows plus views over the
sound on Pensacola beach.  Beautiful and delicious food.  I must
try!

 

 

Beach Life

Hurlburt Field AFB, Florida

I know what you are really interested in, though: THE BEACH! If you’ve never seen the beaches of the Florida panhandle, you are missing out. The white sand and crystal clear water make them some of the most beautiful beaches in the country! The best part is you have your choice on which beach you want to go to; and they are all free.

So if you want to head to the beaches with more amenities (Destin or Pensacola) you can go in the off-season. I live in Navarre and I am 2 miles away from the beach. Navarre Beach is my favorite both for the close proximity to my house and how peaceful it is; even during tourist season it’s still not too over crowded. You have to take a bridge over the sound to get to the beach area, but on the corner of 98 and the Navarre Bridge is a playground that you can take your kids to for a picnic or just to enjoy the playground and splash pad.

It’s also really nice to have both the sound and the beach to choose from. This way if you want calmer waters for taking a boat or kayak out, you don’t have to put it in the ocean. We also venture over to Pensacola beach area from time to time because they have a dog friendly beach there and we love to bring out Toy Poodle, Leo, whenever we get the chance.

If you are a beach lover and enjoy warm weather all year round, Hurlburt Field AFB in Florida is a great place to live. People come from all over the country just to be here for a week and well, you get to live here. How lucky are you? I’m so grateful to be stationed here. Small town charm with a vacation feel atmosphere. It doesn’t get any better.

 

Hurlburt Field AFB, FloridaDawn Zangerle is the Owner and Operator of The Divine Life Blog. She is a former singer and actress from NYC. She is now resides in Navarre, FL with her husband, Evan, who is a Capt. in the USAF. She’s been a military spouse for 9 years and is currently trying to start her family with the help of IVF.

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Living in San Francisco, California

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Happy to have this guest post by The Coastie Couple on San Francisco, California. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

Living in San Francisco, California

When we initially moved to the west coast, I didn’t know what to expect. I knew things would be different but I didn’t realize how different they would be. There was a bit of sticker and culture shock in the beginning, but I’ve learned to accept the differences and to appreciate the area for what it has to offer. And it has a lot to offer!

living in san francisco

When people talk about San Francisco, what they fail to mention is how big the city is and that there’s a huge surrounding area that’s worth seeing as well. My husband was stationed near San Francisco (you can see the skyline across the water) and we actually chose to live a little further inland in Concord because the prices are much cheaper and the area is less urban. If you’re looking to live in the area, I highly recommend looking beyond the city. If you’re coming to visit, I’d highly recommend staying in the city because everything will be easily accessible that way.

There is absolutely no way I could share everything about San Francisco in one post. In the two years that I’ve lived here, I haven’t even had the chance to see everything that there is to see (and we spend almost every weekend exploring something). That being said, I’m going to highlight a few of our favorite places in this post. I encourage you to do some research before you come out here – there’s so much to do!

Before you head into the city, I recommend learning how to use the BART system. These trains are similar to the subway system of New York which makes them convenient for getting around. They can be a bit tricky for newcomers though. I recommend utilizing your favorite map app to figure out which one will take you where.

living in san franciscoThe Piers:

Pier 39 is one of the most famous attractions for the area. This is the pier where the sea lions like to hang out. It’s also filled with restaurants and shopping. It’s a fun area to explore and you might even stumble across a cool street performer if you’re there on the right day! Pier 39 isn’t the only pier though. In fact, if you get off the BART at the Embarcadero station, you’ll have the opportunity to walk along the piers where you’ll find the ferry station, boats to Alcatraz, and the Exploratorium.

The Exploratorium is a neat attraction that I would highly recommend to visitors – young and old alike. If you have kids, it’s a great place to enjoy as a family. The hands on science exhibits and many things to tinker with will keep the family entertained for hours. Don’t have kids? Catch them on Thursday night for their adults only night! This was the option we chose since it’s just the two of us. It was a great time with cash bars and all of the same exhibits minus the kids.  My husband and I had a blast exploring the museum.

living in san francisco

Fisherman’s Wharf:

This is definitely a tourist attraction but I wouldn’t rule it out. I’m a strong believer that tourist attractions are worth checking out in addition to the cool local finds of an area. I do have to caution you though – you’ll need a bit of patience when you visit. The crowds can get a bit frustrating and overwhelming. On the up side, you’ll get a lot of steps on your step counter!

While you’re at the Fisherman’s Wharf, I recommend eating at Boudin Bakery, which is known for their sourdough bread (they even make it in all sorts of shapes!). They have a simple café on the first floor with bread bowls that are an awesome choice for lunch. They are relatively moderately priced as well (at least for California – remember that sticker shock I mentioned?).

The Wharf is also a great place for picking up cheap souvenirs for all of your family and friends. You can find postcards, tshirts, and keychains on every corner. If you’re a craft beer fan, I recommend checking out Jack’s Cannery at the end of the Wharf. Then, trek up the hill to Ghirardelli Square where you’ll find unique stores and free chocolate at the Ghirardelli Store. If it’s Christmas time, you’ll also find an impressive tree.

living in san franciscoUnion Square:

If you’re into shopping, this is the place for you. The streets are lined with shops and restaurants galore. It’s a very diverse shopping area with bargain stores mixed amongst the more high-end retail stores. It’s definitely a good chance to exercise your legs and pocketbook. If you come in the winter, you’ll notice a massive tree in the center near Macy’s along with an ice skating rink. This is definitely a favorite among locals and tourists alike.

Golden Gate Park:

Remember when I mentioned that the city is huge? Golden Gate Park is a prime example of how big the city is. It’s a large park filled with attractions and hiking trails in the middle of the city. It is home to the California Academy of Sciences, which is a great place for kids and adults alike. It’s sort of a natural history museum meets science museum. It’s filled with lots of cool exhibits and they even rotate them out based on the time of year.

Golden Gate Park has a lot to offer beyond the museum. We spent an entire day simply exploring the trails and taking in all that it had to offer. In fact, if you walk all the way to the end of the park, you’ll find yourself staring at the Pacific Ocean. I also recommend checking out the Beach Chalet restaurant that’s located on the edge of the park. Be prepared to spend an entire day if you head down to this park.

I haven’t even touched on half of the attractions in the area and yet I’m out of time.  Feel free to follow us on our blog or social media where we’re often posting about our adventures and sharing snippets from our lives!


The Coastie CoupleThe Coastie Couple is a husband-wife duo that shares honest accounts of their adventures from coast to coast on their blog, The Coastie Couple. He’s in the military and she’s a teacher. They both love to travel, create, and experiment in the kitchen. These are the adventures they share on their blog.

Blog: http://www.thecoastiecouple.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/coastiecouple Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/coastiecouple

 

What You Should Never Say To A Military Spouse

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What You Should Never Say To A Military Spouse

I love the military spouse community. In my local area and online. I love all the supportive people I have met over the years. I love how we can help each other out. The truth is, a lot of us can feel lost in the sea of separations, losing friends and the hardships that military life can bring.

We don’t always have good days and sometimes we really just need someone to listen and help us get through the struggle.

What You Should Never Say To A Military Spouse

 

Some spouses are quite lonely and can’t imagine how we are going to get through the next few months.

Some spouses struggle with depression and anxiety. To be alone in the house is terrifying. Yet, they married a soldier. Someone who will deploy. Someone who will not always be home.

Some spouses are homesick and miss having a group of friends. They are having a hard time finding a new friend group. And yet, here they are, on the eve of a deployment, unsure about how they are going to get through the 9 months he will be away.

Some spouses lost a parent or a child and are finding life more difficult than usual.

Some spouses are just sad about how things are going and what’s ahead for them. Military life can be scary.

Some spouses have been through several deployments already and they are tired and want a break. One that will not come because of trainings and more deployments in the future.

Some spouses are struggling with their marriages and can’t figure out how to get things to a better place.

Some spouses are having a hard time with their children. Children who are missing their father so much they act out and those with special needs that are missing the support that the other parent in the home brings.

These spouses need support. They need love. They need kind suggestions. They do not need harsh words. They do not need to feel less than or that something is wrong with them for missing their husband a little too much. They do not need to feel like bad moms because they don’t feel like they are getting this solo parenting thing down.

Over the years I have heard phrases that make me cringe. Comments from other military spouses that should not be said. Comments that sting and create a divide in the military world.

So as a community, this is what you should never say to a military spouse!

“Well, you knew what you signed up for.” Actually, no one knows this. Each military career is different depending on different factors. Each spouse handles things in different ways. You never know what you are signing up for.

“Why are you complaining? At least your deployment is only 9 months instead of 12.” Oh, the deployment comparison game we like to play. It’s easy to do. Your friend is upset about a shorter deployment and you wish your spouse could only be gone for that amount of time. I get that. But we simply don’t have to say anything to that friend. We don’t. Telling someone that they should be happy their spouse is only gone for X amount of time is not helpful.

“I wish my husband would deploy.” Sigh…yes, we get it. Some people do want their spouse to deploy. I do believe that is valid. But it should probably not be said to a spouse whose husband does deploy a lot or is going through a deployment. To a spouse who would give anything for her husband to not deploy.

“Dependa anything” Do I need to say more? Is this even a word? Who even started using it? Please just stop with this term. It’s insulting.

We need to remember that not everyone is going to handle military life the same way. We are all going through something, whether we admit what that is to people or not. We all have a story to tell. What is easy for one person is going to be more difficult for others.

As a military community, we need to come together and help support the struggling military spouse.

Help them get through her current struggle. Let her know we are there for her and we get it. Because like it or not, we are in this together. We are the people who stand behind those who serve our great country. We are the ones they miss and the ones they come home to. We can be supportive and we can be the help someone needs to get through everything military life throws at her.

Have you ever seen We Were Soldiers? The DVD has a deleted scene that I have always loved. The deleted scene is all the wives in the church while their husbands are fighting in Vietnam. What I love about this scene is it is the perfect example of spouses being there for each other. One of the wives was to sing a song in front of the church and just couldn’t do it. What did the other spouses do? They started singing with her. I love this because this act is a small example of military spouses being there for one another, the way that we should be.

How can you support other military spouses?

 

4th Of July Cookie Cake

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4th of july cookie cake

4th Of July Cookie Cake

Yay! Happy 4th of July! I really love this holiday. The 4th of July is usually a lot of fun around here. As I look out my window this morning, I am a little disappointed that it is overcast with storms in the forecast but what can you do? Welcome to Tennessee in the summer. You never know what you are going to get on the 4th of July. We have been hearing fireworks at night for days and I am sure that will continue for the next week.

I think second to Christmas, the 4th of July has a lot of great dessert options. You can do so much with red, white and blue. Just visit Pinterest and type in “4th of July ” desserts and there will be so many to choose from.

I wanted to make a fun dessert for my boys for the 4th of July. I decided to make a cookie cake because we love cookies, we love cake and I have never made one before although I have been wanting to.

I found this Fireworks Sugar Cooke Cake recipe at Crazy for Crust. I ended up using a little more butter in my frosting and had to bake the cake for a little bit longer but that seems to be the norm with my oven. I also just used rainbow sprinkles instead of just red, white and blue.

4th of july cookie cake

I like to get everything together before I get started. This makes baking a little easier and can help avoid starting on a recipe and then finding out I am missing something. I have assumed I had plenty of flour when in reality I only had half a cup left.

 

4th of july cookie cake

Mixing the butter and sugar. This Kitchen Aid was one of the best gifts I have ever gotten. Makes baking a little easier. Before I got one I was using a half-broken hand mixer I had gotten second-hand in college. It was time for an upgrade.

 

4th of july cookie cake

Look at all that yummy goodness! Good things calories don’t count on holidays huh?

 

4th of july cookie cake

Almost ready and I think this is going to be a yummy dessert!

4th of july cookie cake

Ready for the oven! A little nervous.

 

4th of july cookie cake

The end product! And it was very yummy. I need to figure out how to do this without all my M&Ms cracking but I will be making this again. You could really use any themed M&Ms and you could even color the icing to match.

Do you like making desserts for the 4th of July? What is your favorite one to make?

Planning Vacations as a Military Family

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I have received compensation for this post from TravelCenters of America. All opinions and work are my own.

Planning Vacations as a Military Family

 

Planning Vacations as a Military Family

“They took away my weekend pass.” He said.

“What? How is that possible? We are leaving tomorrow!”

I couldn’t believe what he was saying. We had been in Germany just about two months and we had planned our first trip. We were going to take the train to Salzburg and meet up with a friend of mine that live in Austria. We would spend two nights in Salzburg exploring the city. Salzburg was the first city on my Germany bucket list. And now my husband tells me he can’t go.

Little did I know that this can happen. In our case, I was able to put my son in hourly for the next day. My husband picked him up after work and stayed with him while I went on ahead and met my friend in Austria. My friend and I had a great time but we lost money on the train tickets and I always wonder what that trip could have been like.

Months later I was sitting at the base travel agent getting ready to buy tickets to California. I had probably asked my husband about ten times if it was okay to buy them. He was coming home from deployment and then we were going to fly to California for a month. If I bought the tickets and the dates changed, we would be out money. I was so worried that his homecoming date would change yet again. He assured me that they had assured them that this is when their leave would be and we were okay to buy tickets. So I did, I worried the whole time but I did and we were able to go to California as planned.

One of the truths about military life is that plans are never set in stone until they happen.

There are many reasons why there could be delays. Leave can be canceled or changed. So what can a military family to in order to plan a vacation? How can you make plans for anything without running the risk of losing money? What are you to do?

So what can a military family do in order to plan a vacation? How can you make plans for anything without running the risk of losing money? What are you to do?

Over the years I have learned the hard way about what you can do and what you should do when you are a military family who wants to plan a vacation. I hope these tips can help you to military proof your vacation plans…

1. Know that things can change. One thing you have to do is know that things can change. Know that you might have to change your dates around or deal with canceled leave. Knowing this is a possibility ahead of time will help you deal with the disappointment a little better when a cancellation or delay happens. I had no idea they could take away your leave after you booked your trip, but that is what happened. After that, I knew that things could change, even at the last-minute.

2. Find good companies. I have learned that if you can go with companies that allow you to change your dates for free or for a low price, do so. This isn’t always possible but before you book anything to find out what you would have to do to change your dates. That way you will know what you will be dealing with if plans change. Some companies might even accept deployment orders as a reason for why you are having to change the date.

3. Be flexible on your dates if you can. If possible, keep your dates open-ended. This is possible if you are visiting family and don’t have to book anything. Let your family know that the dates are tentative and you are not 100% sure those will be the actual dates you are there. This will help with any expectations your family has about when they will see you.

4. Have a backup plan. Always have a backup plan. What would you do if your spouse’s leave was cancelled? Would you go on the trip without your spouse? Would you postpone for another time? Cut the trip short? By having a plan you will know what your next step is if things change.

5. Don’t tell the kids. For the love, don’t tell your kids. I know that is hard for some people, I want to tell my kids the minute we have plans to go anywhere. But a lot of kids won’t understand that changing things last-minute is how the military works. You don’t want to have to deal with a child that thought they were going to their favorite amusement park and then they were not.

Supporting the military

Speaking of traveling…as it is summertime right now, a lot of you will be out on the roads taking vacations. I wanted to let you know about how TravelCenters of America are honoring Active Military and Veterans. For six weeks this summer travel season, customers are encouraged to visit TravelCenters of America LLC (TravelCenters TA® and Petro Stopping Centers®) to support military heroes. 

TravelCenters is honoring the sacrifice of active military personnel and veterans by encouraging restaurant guests to order a meal in support of the National Military Family Association (NMFA), a nonprofit that works to strengthen and protect military families. From June 28 to August 5, participating Country Pride and Iron Skillet locations will donate $1.00 to the NMFA for each entrée ordered from a select group of menu items.

How great is that? 

 

Living in Rota, Spain

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Happy to have this guest post by Lizann on Rota, Spain. Please visit my Duty station guest post page for posts on other locations or more information about how you can write a guest post about where you have been stationed.

rota, spain

I get commissions for purchases made through some of the links in this post.

Naval Station Rota, Spain

If you get orders to Rota, Spain, consider yourself a Golden Unicorn: it is one of the hidden jewels of the Navy. This small base located in the Southwest corner of Spain is home to several ships, and sailors stationed there will get accompanied orders for their families to move with them. There is also one Air Force unit stationed there, and a very small unit of FAST Marines. This base has some of the best features of overseas living: vibrant local culture, welcoming locals, beautiful climate, and tons of sightseeing opportunities! Overseas living can be challenging, and it can take some time to adjust. But once you know your way around, this station has endless opportunities for fun and good food. Last year, I published a book about moving to Rota, getting settled, where to shop and eat, and where to travel. It’s called ‘Welcome to Rota,’ and is available as a paperback or an eBook from Amazon. I will give you the highlights here. The logistical details first, then all the parties and fun travel at the end, so keep on reading to the bottom!

Language and Money:

Of course the local language is Spanish, and the currency is the Euro. While many restaurants offer English menus, few locals speak English fluently, so some basic Spanish is necessary for daily life and finding your way around (especially if you live off base.). On base, everything is conducted in English. There is a Commissary, NEX, Naval Hospital, FFSC, gas station, library, school, etc, all staffed by a mixture of Spanish and Americans, but everyone speaks English and accepts dollars. Brushing up on your high school Spanish will help, or you can buy Rosetta Stone, which is a quick and effective way to learn useful phrases. There are also Spanish classes and tutors available on base.

Housing:

On base housing is available for any family, and will be assigned based on number of children. It is small and somewhat plain, but very comfortable (it has central heat and AC, which is rare off base). The housing is conveniently located so that you can bike or jog to most areas of the small base. On base housing is free, including utilities, and it uses American style electrical outlets and voltage.

Off base housing is also available for any family. There are tons of choices, many near the beach, or with gorgeous backyards and pools. You will receive OHA (Overseas Housing Allowance) for off-base housing, based on the service member’s rank. It is supposed to cover rent and utilities, but you must be attentive to utility usage because energy costs are much higher in Europe! Because the climate is mild, most off base housing does not have heat or AC, so it is common to be very hot in the summer, and very cold in the winter. Off base, the Spanish electrical system uses a different voltage, so you will need to use transformers and converters before plugging in an American appliance (or just buy a Spanish one). You can get these for free through the base housing office.

Schools:

There is one school on base, which serves any American child from Pre-K (Smart Start) through high school. It is called DGF, and the website is here. All teachers are American, and follow an American-style curriculum approved by the DoD. The school has some opportunities for music classes, art classes, sports, and theater. Students also benefit from daily Spanish lessons and weekly Spanish culture classes. There is a separate on-base bi-lingual preschool program offered through the Child Development Center (CDC).

Parents have the option to send children off base to Spanish schools. The Spanish public schools start at age 3, and are basically free to attend (after paying a small fee for supplies). Off base, schools can be a great way for young children to learn the language and immerse themselves in Spanish culture. Older children usually attend on base, unless they are fluent enough to read textbooks and complete writing assignments in Spanish. There are also private bilingual schools, which are expensive and designed to teach English. And there are some private Spanish schools, run by religious organizations. To register for off-base public school, there is a lottery system that begins in March. Registered families will be assigned to a school in their town. Most teachers and school administrators do not speak English, so you will need to know enough Spanish to understand classroom notes and communication. Or just find a friend in the class!

Employment:

Overseas, spouse employment is a challenge. Spain has a SOFA (Status of Forces Agreement) which states that 70% of the work force on base must be Spanish, and only 30% American. So most employment opportunities are limited to the NEX, the Commissary, MWR (Morale Welfare, and Recreation), or the base Child Development Center. And these jobs fill very quickly. The base hospital has a very limited ability to hire civilian nurses or doctors, but you can volunteer there if you need to keep up your medical license. The base school hires teachers through the DoD, but spouses can work as substitutes or transitional teachers. You can run a home-based business such as baking or selling products, once you establish your business through the base Legal Office. If you are finishing a degree, there are 4 online colleges with offices on base: Central Texas College, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, University of Maryland University College, and the University of Oklahoma.

Local towns:

The Naval base is located in between the towns of Rota and El Puerto de Santa Maria. Rota is a tiny sea-side fishing village with two gorgeous beaches and a wide boardwalk paseo.. The streets are very narrow and houses are typically small. This is a good area for young couples, because of the small quarters (mostly apartments and townhouses, rather than stand-alone homes) and the good nightlife. You can walk from the base into Rota, so there are plenty of American bars and nightclubs. During summer, the tourists are up every night, but in winter it is a quiet little town where everyone knows everyone else. It is only a few minutes’ drive to the base gate. Americans have been here for 60 years, and Rota survives on their business, so even though most shopkeepers and restaurant owners don’t speak much English, you will see Americans everywhere. The downtown square has a castle and cathedral from the 13th century, and hosts small celebrations throughout the year.

rota, spain

El Puerto de Santa Maria is a much larger town, with multiple neighborhoods and housing areas, each with its own flavor. There are plenty of restaurants, bars, and large chain stores, including a shopping mall. There are multiple beaches, all very popular in the summer. This is considered a good choice for families, because the houses are typically larger, come with more yard space and parking, and often have swimming pools. Most neighborhoods in Puerto are about 15 minutes from the base gate. It is a popular area for Americans living off-base. Puerto is a great source of Spanish culture, with a bull ring, a Cathedral, and a castle from the 14th century. The town celebrates festivals and parades throughout the year, usually on a larger scale than Rota.

Cultural Events:

Spain has a never-ending calendar of celebrations, fiestas, holidays, and cultural events! Their public events are always for families, and usually involve parades, horses, lots of wine, and the closing of stores and schools. My book gives details about the reasons and traditions behind all the local holidays, but here are some that are unique to Spain:

  • January 6, Three Kings Day, is when the Spanish exchange Christmas gifts.
  • February 28 is Andalusia Day.
  • Carnaval is the colorful parades and celebrations for a week before Ash Wednesday.
  • Semana Santa is the solemn processions for one week before Easter.
  • The Running of the Bulls happens locally on Easter Sunday. (I went once! It was crazy!)
  • Feria is a spring carnival that each town hosts for one week in spring.
  • May 1 is Spanish Labor Day.
  • June 23 is the Feast of San Juan, celebrated with bonfires on the beach.
  • July 15 is the Fiesta del Carmen, with fishing boat flotillas.
  • October 7 is the festival of Our Lady of the Rosary (the local patroness).
  • October 12 is Diá de la Hispanidad, a national holiday.
  • November 1 is All Saints Day.
  • December 6 is Constitution Day.
  • December 8 is the Immaculate Conception,
  • And of course they celebrate Christmas too, on December 25!

Food:

I’m not sure I can summarize Spanish food in a few sentences, but I’ll try! It is NOT Mexican food. It’s more like a Mediterranean diet, with lots of fish, fresh vegetables, eggs, and rice or potatoes. The ingredients are very fresh, and usually only seasoned with salt and pepper. I loved being able to get fresh food from the fish market or the produce stand. Some of the most popular dishes are:

  • tapas (an appetizer, can be any type of cold or hot food in a small portion),
  • paella (a fancy rice and seafood dish),
  • tortilla (a potato and egg ‘cake’),
  • gazpacho (tomato soup, served cold),
  • chorizo (spicy cured sausage),  
  • jamon (cured ham, thinly sliced),
  • churros (sweet fried dough, like a donut or funnel cake),
  • tinto de verrano (which is red wine mixed with Sprite and fruit)

There are recipes for these in my book, along with lots of information on other foods, and translations of common menu items.

And here are some of my favorite restaurants in the surrounding towns:

Restaurants in Rota

Bar Gomez (Spanish Breakfast Sandwiches)

Badulaque (Spanish Food, Beach Views)

100 Montaditos (Sandwiches, Beach Views)

Parilla Los Argentinos (Grilled Meats)

Las Tinajas (Spanish Grilled Specialties)

Bar La Feria (Spanish Food, Flamenco Shows)

Takiko’s (Japanese/Chinese, Base Delivery)

La Dolce Vita (Italian, Harbor Views)

Pizza Y Pasta (Delivery to Base)

Shanza (Indian Dishes, Delivery to Base)

Argos (Seafood at the Port)

Bodegon La Fuente (Paella and Sangria)

El Espadero (Home-Cooked Spanish)

Pink Pepper (Japanese, Mexican, American)

Sedona (Southwestern Specialties)

Slice of New York (Pizza)

The Steakhouse (Steaks and Burgers)

Restaurants in Puerto

Venta El Nene (Tortillas and American Breakfast)

Parilla Bailey’s (Grilled Specialites, Children’s Playground)

El Ultimo (Bar Food, Fuentabravia)

Venta La Rufana (Family Owned Roadhouse)

Crêfondue (Fondue and Crepes, Ocean Views)

Blanco Paloma (Pizza and Pasta with Ocean Views)

Bar Jamon (Upscale Spanish Cuisine)

Venta La Feria (Huge Paella Varieties)

Little Italy (Pizza, Pasta, and Children’s Play Area)

Bamboo Sushi (Great Sushi and Sashimi)

Shamrock (Traditional Irish Pub Food)

El Sitio De Vélez (Upscale Spanish Cuisine)

Daytrips:

Again, wow, this is an entire section of the book, almost 70 pages! But to summarize, there are tons of cool things to see in Southern Spain: Roman ruins, ancient castles, flower festivals, quaint mountainside towns, and gorgeous beaches. You can drive to Portugal or Gibraltar, or take a ferry to Morocco. The book includes GPS coordinates for parking areas, clickable links to websites (in the eBook), and prices for various attractions. Here is just a taste.

Day Trips:

Arcos (City of Arches, with old churches and white walled houses)

Baelo Claudia (Roman ruins from the 1st century!)

Cádiz (3,000 old city, with a Cathedral, old fort, harbor, and art/history museums)

Ceuta (Spanish city in Africa, next to Morocco, reached by a ferry)

Chipiona (local town famous for wine)

El Portal (Horse Ranch with a weekly carriage and riding show)

El Puerto De Santa Maria (local town with a castle, Cathedral, and a French bakery)

Gibraltar (The Rock, with a quaint British town, monkeys, and pillars of Hercules)

Jerez (famous for the Royal Horse Show and also for sherry wine tasting tours)

Medina Sidonia (historical hilltop town with Roman roads and a history museum)

Ronda (famous for bull fighting, and a 1,000 year old bridge that spans a huge chasm)

Sanlucar (site of the annual Horse Races on the beach every August)

Sevilla (Spain’s golden city, former seat of the King. Gorgeous castle and Cathedral)

Tangiers, Morocco (ride camels, visit a bazaar, and sip mint tea)

Ubrique (a quaint mountaintop village famous for its leather artisans and shops)

Vejer de la Frontera (small white-walled village with a famous Moroccan restaurant)

Zahara de la Sierra (located in the mountains, with working olive oil presses and tours)

Weekend Trips within Spain:

Barcelona (Gaudi architecture, a crazy Cathedral, futball (soccer), and a zoo)

Cordoba (Mezquita mosque, beautiful castle gardens, flower festival, pottery shops)

Granada (Alcazar palace is the most beautiful in Spain, historic city and flamenco music)

Lagos, Portugal (quaint beachside town with amazing arches and caves in the cliffs)

Lisbon, Portugal (huge city with history, art, great food, and nearby palaces)

Madrid (Spain’s capital, with tons of art, history, gardens, and a modern castle)

Nerja (quaint Mediterranean seaside town with pebble beaches)

Toledo (medieval city near Madrid with a Cathedral, Greco art, and metal artisans)

And if you think you couldn’t possibly visit all those places with your baby or children, I promise that you can! We have four young children, and the youngest was born in Spain! So strollers and baby backpacks make almost anything possible. If you are looking for more kid-friendly options though, here are the most popular kids’ field trips.

  • Zoos in Jerez or Castellar
  • Aqualandia water park
  • Divertilandia indoor bounce house/play area
  • El Bucharito local goat farm with cheese-making classes
  • Bee Farm in Jerez
  • Aquarium in Sevilla
  • Crocodile Farm in El Portal
  • Las Marias Horse Farm for lessons or beach rides
  • Princelandia dress-ups for girls’ birthday parties
  • La Ciudad de los Ninos y las Ninas playground in Jerez
  • Laser Tag and Go Karting in Jerez
  • Isla Magica Amusement Park in Sevilla
  • Dolphin/Whale Watching Cruises in Tarifa
Rota, Spain

Lizann Lightfoot spent the last 3 years living in Rota, Spain, with her Marine Corps husband and 4 children. While there, she began a travel blog, which turned into a 200-page guidebook called ‘Welcome to Rota.’ The book is a complete resource for military families moving to Southern Spain, with details about the overseas move, base resources, Spanish culture, where to shop and eat, how to cook Spanish food, and where to travel! She hopes it will save military families time and money, so they can adjust quickly, and get to the part where they start enjoying life in Spain. The book is available as a paperback or as an eBook through Amazon.com. Her family now lives in California, where she blogs about military life and deployments at SeasonedSpouse.com.

22 Fun Ideas For Staying Busy During a Deployment

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The number one tip you are going to get to survive a deployment is to stay busy. That you need to stay busy during a deployment to make it through. To fill up your calendar. To have something going every day. This is true. The busier you are, the faster time will go and the sooner the deployment will be over. When you don’t have anything to do, time drags.

Sometimes it can be difficult to know what to do each day to stay busy during a deployment, especially if you are new to the area and haven’t met a lot of people yet.

Here are 22  fun ideas on how to stay busy during a deployment. Things you can do to keep busy and help your deployment go by a little bit faster. Take these as a starting off point and create your own list of ideas to help you stay busy during a deployment.

22 Fun Ideas For Staying Busy During a Deployment

  • Join a club- Whatever you’re into, join a club about it. Love to read? Join a book club. Love to hike? Joining a hiking club. Can’t find a club for what you want? Start one. Finding something you love to do is the best way to get through a deployment. You also have a big chance of making some friends while you do.
  • Start a sport- Sports can be a great way to pass the time. You could sign up for a local team such as indoor soccer or volleyball. They might just meet once a week but that is okay. You can have fun at the practices, at the games and get to know the other people on your team.
  • Playgroups- Playgroups are such a great way to spend your time when you have little kids. You take them, they go off and play and you can hopefully talk with other moms. Even if you don’t meet anyone the first few times, if your child is having fun, keep taking them. Eventually you will start talking with the other moms and hopefully, make friends. You can also go to playgroups around nap time, which makes the day go by a lot faster.
  • Regular dinners- Having regular dinners with friends is also a great idea. Get a group together and take turns meeting at each other’s houses or even a park. You can have your kids eat before you go and then let them play while you eat your dinner with your friends. This can help with the nighttime routine and will help with the loneliness around that time of day.
  • Regular coffee meetups– Another way to get together with friends is plan a weekly coffee date. Mondays work well because it is the day after the weekend and sometimes the weekends are the most difficult part of a deployment.
  • Walks- Going for a walk is such a great idea. Not only will it help you pass the time but it can get you out of a funk. It is also good for your health and can allow you to reach the weight loss goals you made for yourself during the deployment. You can walk with a friend, listen to music, listen to podcasts and audiobooks. You can also stick your children in the stroller if they are young enough and take them with you.
  • Start a new hobby- Deployments are the perfect time to start a new hobby. Think about what you have been wanting to learn. You can take a class or do it on your own. Finding a new hobby is something you can enjoy for years to come, not just during the deployment.
  • Go back to an old hobby- Is there something you used to do that you haven’t done for a while? A deployment is a great time to get back into your old hobbies. Especially if you still have supplies or equipment in your home.
  • Photography- Taking photos can be a great way to destress and to get to know your area. Go on photo walks and remember to bring a camera or even your phone out with you to take photos. Learn how to be a better photographer. Take a photography class. You will be glad that you did.
  • Travel- Deployments can be the perfect time to travel. The idea of going places without your spouse can be scary or you can feel badly that he or she is missing out. This is something to think about. You don’t have to take a once in a lifetime trip. Save that for when they are home but take some time to plan at least one trip. You can go visit a friend, family or just go sightseeing
  • Write a book- Have you always wanted to write a book? Now is your chance. Spend the extra time that you have on starting that book. You might not finish the book during the deployment but you can get started and that is a good thing.
  • Start a blog- When your spouse is away it might be the right time to start a blog. Even if you are just writing down your thoughts about what you are currently going through. You don’t even have to show the blog to anyone or you can have a private blog for a select audience.
  • Organize your home- When you are the only adult in your home, getting organized can be a little easier. You can go through your home and declutter, work on home projects and change things around. Deployments are a great time to do this type of thing.
  • Paint your house- Want to change the color of your bedroom? Meaning to paint the kitchen and it just hasn’t happened yet? When your spouse is away, make plans to paint. Make sure to run any color choices by them if you think they would care about the colors. Then buy your supplies and make a plan to paint. You can even invite friends to come over and help you.
  • Look for a new house- If you are planning to move after the deployment, you could start your home search early. You can look online, research schools and neighborhoods or even go look at homes with a real estate agent. There is a lot you can do to prepare for your future move.
  • Find a job- If you feel you have too much time on your hands or you want to further your career, go find a job. It might take time to find one and then once you do, you will be able to stay busy. You will also be adding to your own career which is always a good thing.
  • Go back to school- Deployments are a great time to go back to school. Whether you do so online or in person, find a program and apply. It will be easier to study when they are gone.
  • Take one class- If you don’t want to go back to school full time you can take a class or two. You could take one on a skill you have been wanting to learn or you can take a class toward a degree you would like to eventually to get.
  • Volunteer- Working as a volunteer can be a great way to spend the deployment. Whether you do so at your child’s school or for the FRG. Find a way to give back. This is also a great way to make friends.
  • Visit Family- If you get along with your family, plan a trip to go see them. Stay a few days, a week or even a month. Whatever works for you and your situation. 
  • Exercise- Working out and exercising can be a great thing to get into when he is away. You can work on losing weight or just becoming a healthier person. Join a gym or a working group or get together with friends to do a workout video together. 
  • Read more books- Books are the best and can be a great way to pass the time. Make a list of books you want to read while they are gone and get started on them the day they leave. Need some suggestions? 

How do you stay busy during a deployment? What would you add to this list?