The White Falcon - 18.07.1986, Page 11

LODGE continued from pg. 2
ICELAND continued from pg. 5
There is plenty of camping space, including a
small patch of grass by the Youth Hostel. Camping is
free if you drive through town up into the valley
where the plumes of smoke from the steam vents
are. The road's rocky but endure to the end and
you'll have acres of grass, a small stream, and a
waterfall. Don't expect to have the place to yourself
though, Icelanders are avid campers and don't
usually arrive until past 9 p. m. or, Friday.
The small hotel seems to be extra rooms in an old
folks home but they are clean and neat and not
expensive. We took a room in the associated Youth
Hostel that cost 540 kronur for the night. That
provided us four beds and a communal bathroom and
kitchen. .Part of the fun was sharing those facilities
with the other guests: French, English, and German
backpackers.
The new hotel is so new that they don't even have
their rates printed yet; the Tour Office can provide
that. The facility is modern, plush and classy.
There is an outdoor pool with a three-story spiral
waterslide and two hot tubs. It's beautifully
landscaped with lots of grass.
But the most popular facility in Hveragerdi with our
family is the community swimming pool. It's
inexpensive, spacious, and warm. It's difficult to
give directions, you'll have to ask but at least know
that it's on the hill, across the river, and nicely
tucked into the hillside protected from the wind.
There are five or six lanes in the Olympic-sized pool
and of course it's heated. In addition there are two
hot tubs and one with a whirlpool. One final note
about the community pool, for those travelers who
have chosen camping,the pool has showers and
oathrooms available for you.
SPORTS
are not aware of the lodge's priority system.
According to Janice Baker, Navy Lodge Manager,
"The biggest problem here at the lodge is explaining
to people the priority system. You see, the Navy
Lodge is for Navy personnel. But we must also try
and accommodate the other military services
because of the lack of temporary lodging. This is
why we must follow a priority list.’
Mrs. Baker explained that Navy/Marine enlisted
and their dependents, in a PCS status, have the
highest priority on the list followed by Navy/Marine
officers and their dependents. Then comes’ the
other catagories in descending order:
2) Army/Air Force enlisted PCS
3) Army/Air Force officer PCS
4) TDY/TAD enlisted
5) TDY/TAD officer
6) Retired military
7) DOD civilians
8) Foreign air crews
9) NATO Base visitors
"We must follow this system which is governed by
OPNAVINST 11107.2B,’ Mrs. Baker said. ‘ As for
PCS priorities, this is even broken down further.
PCS inbound have priority over outbound PCS," she
continued.
"I would also like to advise people sponsoring
incoming personnel that they need to be aware that
rooms at the lodge might not be available for
immediate occupancy on ’Rotator Day’. This is
unfortunate, but due to a large turn-over of out
going personnel it is physically impossible to have
the rooms ready to move into upon arrival.
One last word about the lodge policies;
unfortunately there are no facilities for pets. It is
up the the individual to find other accommodations
for their pets while they stay in the lodge.
If you have any further questions please call the
Navy Lodge at 2210.
Goodwill game features pro basketball player
By J01 Howard Watters
During a recent basketball game at the base gym,
the NATO Base basketball team had to resort to the
use of every advantage at their disposal when they
found themselves matched against a local Icelandic
team, whose center is the first Icelander to ever
play in professional basketball.
Peter Gudmundsson, the 7-foot-6-inch backup
center for the L.A. Lakers of the National Basketball
Association (NBA), was in the spotlight during the
game. He towered over both teams as he displayed
some of the antics and moves that made him an NBA
pick.
During the first half of the game, Gudmundsson
seemed to be content just to use his height and
experience to hold the NATO Base players at bay.
However, this could not keep the base players from
mounting a game plan' of their own and outscoring the
Icelanders.
Gudmundsson was recruited by the assistant coach
of the 1985 Lakers on a 10 day trial period and was
impressive enough to land a position on the team.
Prior to signing with the Lakers, Gudmundsson played
for the Portland Trail Blazers from the NBA.
Gudmundsson, whom has lived in the United States
since 1975 said, ’Playing for Portland was a great
experience but signing with the Lakers is like a
dream come true for me.’ He says he will play
summer league basketball to prepare himself for the
rigorous schedule of the NBA.
Having recently signed a two year contract with the
Lakers for an undisclosed amount, Gudmundsson
plans on moving to L.A. upon his return to the United
States
continued on next page
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July 18, 1986 The White Falcon