Big Bubba has so far taken 350+ images of our sojourn.
I've also taken a few. This one was taken Friday on the deck of the Missouri. You can see we're all listening to the information bein' disseminated by our guide.
(Cindy is still recovering from surgery, but she was able to see about 95% of what the rest of us saw.)
Hang on to your hats... I've gotta tell ya what happened today!
GH's husband Ken works at the Pearl Harbor Naval Yard and wanted to give us all a tour of the facility. After coffee and visiting on the Veranda this morning, GB and family set off with GH and Ken to meet the "Pearl".
We drove around and got a good look at much of the facility, then stopped at the Submarine base to take a walk and look around.
I have never been near a Submarine, and although we were separated from them by a fence, was able to get within 75 feet from one, and had a good view of two others...
one of them across the channel in maintenance. I asked Ken if he thought there was any chance my Retired ID card might get me through the gate to get even closer and he said, "What could it hurt to ask? The gate guard is just over there."
We all approached the guard and I showed him my ID Card and asked if I could walk through. He joked, "Sure, just don't drive off with one of the boats!" Ken also showed him his ID and was allowed through. Then the guard shocked me by asking if I was "sponsoring" the others... Big Bubba, Sara Jean, and GH were also allowed to pass!
Wow.
We walked right up to the gangplank leading to the boats and talked with the armed (12 Gauge shotgun and sidearm) guard there, asking questions about the boat (the "Bremerton") crew, duties, etc.
We then walked further down the pier to the "La Jolla", another Los Angeles attack sub and chatted with the Sailor standing guard there.
When we walked back toward the Bremerton, Ken noticed a couple of the Sailors in their dress whites and commented, "Ya know, sometimes they allow guests aboard the surface ships...
I wonder..."
The thought of it stunned me...
The possibility of taking a tour of a nuclear submarine was too much to resist, so I mustered up the courage and asked the guard...
"Would there be any chance of us taking a tour of the boat?"
You can imagine how my head spun when he didn't reject me out of hand, but turned and picked up the phone!
A few moments later the "Officer of the Day" appeared and escorted us aboard, then down the hatch!
For the next hour+, yours truly, Sara Jean, Big Bubba, GH, and Ken got an up close and personal look at 2/3 of one of the most lethal weapons systems known to man. (We weren't allowed near the reactor.)
I would never have imagined it.
See what you've missed by not bein' here?
8 comments:
WOW! What a wonderful experience for all of you....I am SO jelous!! Great that they allowed you all a trip INSIDE. You are having too much fun and I am delighted for you all. Great to see the picture. GH looks like the pretty girl from "The Valley" and we could whip up some fun together pretty quick just as we did years ago.
I didn't know Cinders had surgery..last I spoke with her it was a NO GO. I hope she is healing perfectly; and what a place to heal by the way! Please tell her I'm thinking of her.
NOW I'LL TELL YOU OUR NEWS....our furnace quit yesterday!! Now that's a sure sign that we should have gone ahead and joined you all, don't you think? It's 40 degrees here this morning and I'm getting a cold because we froze Friday night and Sat. So PLEASE keep me in touch with all the wonderful trips and pictures you have time to send. I'm living though you vicariously.
Love to all,
Bo
I'm so glad you are all having a good time. Please some one give Susan a big hug for me. I haven't seen her for years.
I hope Cinders is doing okay. Like Bo, I didn't know she had surgery. I'll be praying for a quick recovery.
On a sadder note, I don't know if any of you remember my brother, Jim, or not. He passed away Wednesday morning, October 31. His funeral was yesterday. I was very surprised to see David and Jerry Gillespie at the funeral. David and Jim were best friends in school and joined the Navy together. Jerry was a year or so ahead of them in school. All three were on Center Grove's first football team. Jim and Dave were freshmen that year.
Hope you all have a safe trip. Love to all.
Ferdy
Ferdy, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. I'll let everyone here know your sad news. You will be in our thoughts and prayers, girl.
About Cindy...
I hope my comments haven't worried you guys unnecessarily. I should have mentioned her surgery was NOT the major procedure she had originally considered, but a minor surgery that suggests she avoid using her leg unnecessarily until it heals.
She's doin' fine, as is obvious from the pic/narrative.
It's Sunday morn. as I type this, and Honolulu is experiencing it's first rainshowers in 6 months. For that reason, no one is complaining even though our intent was to load up the cars and drive much of the circumference of Oahu today. (Visibility is about a mile.)
So, on to Plan "B". TC and TD are interested in rooting their Colts on to victory. Sharon, Cindy, Sara Jean and Big Bubba have their sights set on a Shopping Center that was the world's largest until the "Mall of America" was built.
Me?
The "Pacific Aviation Museum" is about a mile down the road from the Navy Lodge. I'm sure that attraction will occupy most of my day!
so glad you are sharing and glad you are getting to do this
Ferdy,
Thank you for the nice comments and I would love to see you.
I am so sorry to hear about Jim, I remember him so well. The last I had heard, you were taking walks with him. I have no idea what happened, but my thoughts and prayers are with you.
Please take care and thank you for the hugs and right back at you.
I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, you are in my prayers.
Carol
Ferdy,
I am sorry to hear of Jim's passing.
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family in this time of sorrow.
Rest In Peace, Jim.....
Mrs. Hawkeye here....
Ferdy, So sorry to hear about your brother. My prayers are with you.
Hawaii people...it is the unplanned that sometimes turns out to be the best during a vacation. This certainly sounds wonderful!
Bo....Sorry about your furnace, we had the air-conditioning go out this last year. It is hard to live without these modern conveniences!
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