I'm bored ... what is there to do?

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Thomas Crews
  • 14th Force Support Squadron
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  "Spring is nature's way of saying, 'Let's Party!'" - Robin Williams

It's that time of year again.

The forests seem inviting, to those of us fortunate enough to visit them, and tempt us to bask in the rays of the sun as the trees do.  To breathe in the sweetness of spring; to attend to the insects and birds as we float along the oft forgotten offshoots of the Tombigbee.  To feel you are one with the earth as you careen through the trails around SAC Lake, full throttle on your four-wheeler.

Wait, what? 

You don't have to be poetic about it, but it is spring time, which is arguably the best time of the year. Take advantage of it.

The winter had us all cooped up far too long and the full-on swelter of summer is probably closer than you would like to admit. Nature can befound at the DeWayne Hayes campground and its boat launch less than four miles away, the Tanglefoot walking/bike trail under an hour away, and specifically our very own nature trails that twist and wind around SAC Lake right here on base! 

"But I don't own any recreational equipment necessary to take advantage of all this nature," you may say to yourself. Don't panic.

Outdoor Recreation is ready to supply all outdoor adventure needs and offers a wide variety of items to rent, including bouncy castles for those summer birthday and neighborhood block parties, grills, boats (fishing and pontoon), paddle-boards, kayaks, RVs, camping equipment, lawn maintenance tools and so much more. They also rent bikes for $5 a day, canoes with trailer for $10 a day, and everything else you need to make it a perfectly poetic weekend.

For a full list of all the rental equipment that will induce an absolutely awesome trip, stop by Outdoor Recreation or click on over to their page on columbusafbliving.com or just call them at 434-2505 today to get your adventure started.

Not enough? Want to have your cake and eat it, too? Want the reward of a great trip without the chore of planning one? You extraordinary explorer of experience, you want to ponder the meaning of life while you drink a frozen sugary drink and watch a man in an anthropomorphized mouse costume convince children the world really is a magical place? Let us oblige you.

Information, Tickets and Tours, or ITT, also located in the Outdoor Recreation building, offers up to 50 percent off on Disney World four-day park hopper tickets, discounted Universal Studios of Orlando tickets, as well as huge savings at SeaWorld, Six Flags over Georgia, the Memphis Zoo, Geyser Falls and many more local and distant attractions. Let someone else do the leg work and give yourself the trip you deserve and will always remember. 

I'm sure your altruistic self has already considered, "but what about the children?" Oh, battler of baby boredom, look here, Columbus Air Force Base is also blooming with on-base Spring and Summer activities for children.

Get active during the Youth Center's "Fitness Action Hour." Be a brainiac at the "Do It Up with Science" camp. Take the stage with the Missoula Children's Theatre. The perfect camp for your son or daughter is right here on base.

Kids may also be keen on the Youth Center Summer Trips planned. They can be a "rock" star during the Rock Climbing Wall Trip at Mississippi State University, see exotic creatures from far-away lands at the Memphis Zoo, or beat the heat of summer at the Geyser Falls Water Park in near-by Philadelphia, Mississippi. These are just a fraction of the myriad of Summer trips for kids not to miss. Contact the Youth Center at 434-2504 for more information.

We also have the on-base availability of golf, bowling, horse riding lessons and paintball. Not to mention, various club frenzy promotional events have been planned; so don't worry, the kids will be alright.

In addition, Columbus Air Force Base is ready to kick off summer with the grand pool opening May 22, featuring brand new pool furniture and a resurfaced pool area. Summer pool passes for individuals and families are available now at Outdoor Recreation with discounted rates for club members. Look for pool parties, movies at the pool and various specials all summer long.

Don't fret about the club closing this summer as there are still some great dining options on base. The bowling alley offers Lunch-and-Bowl Monday through Friday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and Pam's place at the Whispering Pines Golf Course has Daily Specials Tuesday through Friday. Check out their menus on columbusafbliving.com under the Dining tab. AAFES also has enough food to fill, Pop's BBQ is offering take-out in the Exchange parking lot every Tuesday from 10:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., and a deli at the meat counter of the commissary will soon offer sandwiches made to order.

Mark your calendars and start preparing for the various upcoming fitness events including 5K, 10K, 1/2 and full marathon fun runs being set up by your friendly fitness center staff. Tired of hearing that person you work with tell you how much more weight they can move than you? Challenge them to the Bench Press Competition May 4.

If they are sour about their inevitable loss, make it up to them by taking them to the free Tops in Blue concert coming to town. The touring performance ensemble group made up of active-duty Air Force members will come to town June 20 to strap on six-strings and raise the roof.

Speaking of awesome Air Force members, be sure to say thanks to all those before us and to all those after by showing up to the Fireworks on the Water July 4 in Columbus, celebrating this great nation we all live to love and protect.
As you may see, there are many things to see and do this spring and summer. Don't waste time watching TV, get out and enjoy the motherload of activities we have planned for Team BLAZE.