Homeward Bound
Lots of things have happened in the last month.
We finally got out of the Gulf. Shat a sh*t hole. I don’t know if you ever looked at it on a map, but the Persian Gulf looks remarkably like a human lower colon. That makes the Straits of Hormuz the asshole of the world. Kind of sums things up nicely. Anyhow, we managed to pass through (95000 ton suppository?) without incident.
Leaving the gulf, we did a steel beach picnic. Brought GLADIS out and cooked up a bunch of hogs and chickens on the fantail while the festivities ran on the flight deck. Had a great time. Long day though; fired the cooker up at 0130 and babysat until about 1500 when the last of the chicken came out.
These three little pigs had been in the freezer for some time. Apparently the Navy way is to boil them for several hours and then throw them in an oven. I think these came out much nicer. There were a total of 5 but I could fit 24 in GLADIS if I had them.
The kids really enjoyed the steel beach and barbecue. There were hundreds of them lined up to have their photo taken with the hogs. I guess most never grew up with hog roasts / pig pickin's so it was a treat.
The kids really enjoyed the steel beach and barbecue. There were hundreds of them lined up to have their photo taken with the hogs. I guess most never grew up with hog roasts / pig pickin's so it was a treat.
Made it up to the flight deck for a couple of cold San Miguels. 
We had been at sea for the requisite 45(+) days without a port visit so everyone got 2 beers. Not a bad break, but at the same time, I’d have rather been in port. Anyhow, that’s me, Bill and Zack with a couple of cold ones.
It took about a week to get out of the lower sh*t-hole (North Arabian Sea / Red Sea / Gulf of Suez) and transit the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean. Stopped in Rhodes, Greece for some well needed rest. It was a good stop albeit a bit disappointing. Rhodes is kind of like a clean Tijuana. Not really what comes to mind when you think of Greece, but still, it wasn’t in the Fifth Fleet AOR and the locals there weren’t thinking “I should kill this infidel” with every glance.
Leaving Rhodes, we got back to what Carriers were ultimately built for; Hosting Distinguished Visitors. Played that game for a few days and then into the South of France (Marseille) for one last stop on the way home. Marseille is a ‘Little Big Town” for lack of a better term. We got out to see the Chateau d’If and Palais Longchamps. If you get to Marseilles, these two should be on your must-see list. After that…
A little south of Marseille is a small village called Cassis. This is a picturesque village that comes to mind when you think ‘South of France.’ Small town, 2500 year-round residents that expands to ~35000 in the summer. (Apparently there are a lot of Parisians who take their holiday here every year.) There is a very small harbor filled with small yachts / boats most under 30’. Surround the harbor are small businesses and cafes, all brightly painted in various pastels. Right out of a painting. You could probably spend a couple of days there and just relax. We had a day visit which included lunch with the mayor and a visit to one of the older wineries in the region.
So we popped out of the Med, hosted some Portuguese DVs and are now on our way home. I’m rather ready at this point.
The Revolution X is 2 weeks off. I can’t believe it’s that close. I feel a little guilty about not contributing to the preparation effort this year but it’s not like I had a lot of choice in the matter either. Charlotte and Geri have been helping Mom out with her stuff, and Chuck has tended to all the site and equipment preps. I suppose that’s a sign of a good team when one player can be removed and the process continues. 2 years ago at The Invitational, Mom was out of town and we still managed to feed everyone without a single case of ptomaine or salmonella arising from it all. Anyhow, 2 weeks to go. Everyone is going up to Willie’s next weekend for the grass cutting / insecticide spreading, etc. I’ll be in Mayport, Fl.
Big racing day today. Indy at 5 and the 600 at 9:30 (all PM.) Of course, I should have slept in so I wouldn’t be tired by the time they go green in Charlotte so naturally I wake up at 0500 this morning. I took advantage of the early morning hour and got my laundry done. (No wait.)
I think Mary has found a roommate. That was a huge source of stress and I’m glad that she’s got that one behind her Still some ups and downs on that front, but I think she’s getting closer and closer to her happy place and that make me happy.
Talked to Mom yesterday. She’s going through the usual pre-revolution stress. I wish I could be there for her, but at the same time, I recall vividly how that goes. All will be much better when we’re on our way to Cedar Point afterward.
The next post SHOULD be the post-Revolution report.
On-On,
Gopher
It took about a week to get out of the lower sh*t-hole (North Arabian Sea / Red Sea / Gulf of Suez) and transit the Suez Canal into the Mediterranean. Stopped in Rhodes, Greece for some well needed rest. It was a good stop albeit a bit disappointing. Rhodes is kind of like a clean Tijuana. Not really what comes to mind when you think of Greece, but still, it wasn’t in the Fifth Fleet AOR and the locals there weren’t thinking “I should kill this infidel” with every glance.
Leaving Rhodes, we got back to what Carriers were ultimately built for; Hosting Distinguished Visitors. Played that game for a few days and then into the South of France (Marseille) for one last stop on the way home. Marseille is a ‘Little Big Town” for lack of a better term. We got out to see the Chateau d’If and Palais Longchamps. If you get to Marseilles, these two should be on your must-see list. After that…
A little south of Marseille is a small village called Cassis. This is a picturesque village that comes to mind when you think ‘South of France.’ Small town, 2500 year-round residents that expands to ~35000 in the summer. (Apparently there are a lot of Parisians who take their holiday here every year.) There is a very small harbor filled with small yachts / boats most under 30’. Surround the harbor are small businesses and cafes, all brightly painted in various pastels. Right out of a painting. You could probably spend a couple of days there and just relax. We had a day visit which included lunch with the mayor and a visit to one of the older wineries in the region.
So we popped out of the Med, hosted some Portuguese DVs and are now on our way home. I’m rather ready at this point.
The Revolution X is 2 weeks off. I can’t believe it’s that close. I feel a little guilty about not contributing to the preparation effort this year but it’s not like I had a lot of choice in the matter either. Charlotte and Geri have been helping Mom out with her stuff, and Chuck has tended to all the site and equipment preps. I suppose that’s a sign of a good team when one player can be removed and the process continues. 2 years ago at The Invitational, Mom was out of town and we still managed to feed everyone without a single case of ptomaine or salmonella arising from it all. Anyhow, 2 weeks to go. Everyone is going up to Willie’s next weekend for the grass cutting / insecticide spreading, etc. I’ll be in Mayport, Fl.
Big racing day today. Indy at 5 and the 600 at 9:30 (all PM.) Of course, I should have slept in so I wouldn’t be tired by the time they go green in Charlotte so naturally I wake up at 0500 this morning. I took advantage of the early morning hour and got my laundry done. (No wait.)
I think Mary has found a roommate. That was a huge source of stress and I’m glad that she’s got that one behind her Still some ups and downs on that front, but I think she’s getting closer and closer to her happy place and that make me happy.
Talked to Mom yesterday. She’s going through the usual pre-revolution stress. I wish I could be there for her, but at the same time, I recall vividly how that goes. All will be much better when we’re on our way to Cedar Point afterward.
The next post SHOULD be the post-Revolution report.
On-On,
Gopher
posted by Gopher at 5:17 AM
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