SPC C and I went out on a presence patrol this week with some Soldiers who had room in their convoy for us. It was a very different experience from being in a convoy when I was in Iraq at this time last year!The weather, which had been pretty much rainy and cold since I arrived here had cleared up by morning, when we left, and the rains held off until we'd finished the patrol and were having dinner at a restaurant the convoy commander had learned of from the Soldiers we replaced.
This is a very beautiful country (except for the trash). We traveled through plains into the mountains, through valleys alongside rushing rivers (and lots of trash). The 6000-foot mountain on the horizon was snow-covered, but the temperature was pleasant, if a bit cool. 
Most of the oak trees in the deciduous forests (that haven't yet been cut illegally for firewood, since the electric company keeps turning off the power to whole localities) have not yet lost their leaves, but almost all have turned quite brown. A few still have some yellow leaves clinging to their branches. The yellows against the browns make quite a sight.
The restaurant is tucked away in the foothills of the mountains that separate Kosovo and Macedonia. There are lots of trees and lots of water surrounding the place. It looks as though it could once have been a hunting lodge.The food was good, and we had a good time.
My Soldiers are a great group.
Blessings and peace to one and all,
Fr. Tim, SJ
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