Tim (in t-shirt from Mikey) waiting for the bus that morning...he has CCC Kids "Camp" Monday through Thursday so missed the outing.
Pretty grumpy party of museum-goers.
Improved morale once we arrived at the ship.
Jack.
Ben, Charlie, and Mike. (Jamie hidden from view).
Crabs, Arriving. Ding.
Cluster of crablets.
Naval crab was rejected and told to go obtain a paper ticket at the box office...oops, MWR didn't tell me that ahead of time so we lolligagged in the entry area.
70% of the exhibits are not stroller-accessible so LLGA rode in a papoose.30 pounds-ish isn't so bad on level surfaces, but there was a lot of stairs/ladders and ducking through passageways and hatches.
While we awaited, we found some happy machines for C-boy.
Reunited with our no-charge-for-entry personal tour guide, we began.
Enlisted berthing...familiar "heads n' beds" inspection setting for the ol' XO.
Ship's Store is just a glorified Boy Scout Trading Post.
We enjoyed the prices.
A crablet dream come true: 3-high bunk beds.
So true.
Charlie was a trooper, especially given that he had a fever when we returned home.
Forecastle.
Ben did chide me for walking over the anchor chain.
Fresh from Scout camps, the J-crabs were intrigued by the knots poster.
An interactive knot-tying exhibit...what fun! Jamie tried first.
Next Jack.
Then even Charlie had a go.
Dad and Charlie.
Mikey had his camcorder going. His stepfather served aboard the Midway.
Looking for a little rest anywhere he could grab it.
Jamie was totally engrossed in the Audio Tour technology.
In search of ventilation and better temperature, I got ahead and did a self-portrait of LLGA.
Chuck Smiley...rather fitting.
That, my friends, is a real grin.
Captain Safety (not).
Jamie, of Table of Contents fame, is an apt ADMIN placeholder.
Jack took a spot, but I don't remember which one and, frankly, do not have the energy to hunt him down (outside playing) or to hear his version of events to get to the small detail of the chair label.
Interactive wire exhibit for the backpack-confined set.
A dim view of the hangar.
Mikey in front of an engine.
Jack interacting with an electronic something.
Of course, this had great entertainment potential.
Charlie wanted to potty. There. Immediately. This fact sped up the remainder of our brig tour.
Looking pretty content to be there.
Steam throttle
GMK got her head above water :-) (line)
Action shot ... Jillian the Fitness Guru would be proud.
Looking 'possum-like.
We resisted the tremendous campaign to financially underwrite Flight Simulators. $25 per person.
Mikey
Ejector Seat video theatre...
Notice Charlie belts himself in responsibly.
While his pa demonstrates "crazy-eye".
Wave to the paparazzi!
Outside in a "staged pose" (aka, the kind that irritate the Naval crab to no end).
Charlie exclaimed repetitively throughout the flight deck portion of the visit, "Wet's checking out some airplanes!!"
Took a picture of Jamie looking somewhat pleasant. Savor it, folks.
I forget how awesome a carrier is.
Signing airplane.
GMK.
Charlie loved it.
And we see why: the yellow gear had his name written all over it.
Jamie took this picture. ("It will be special if I take it.")
She wanted in the cockpit, too.
We made do by touching the fuel tank.
The counter-point to the sweet countenance featured above. I believe my words as I shot this, "Isn't this charming...we will have a record of how pleasant you were during your only visit to the USS Midway."
Fire fighting vehicle was also a hit.
For the big guy, too.
Daddy takes a turn playing burro to LLGA.
Charlie adores Mikey.
Not included is the photo of M-ELA inspecting Ben's hair and ears.
Egressing from the helo.
Huey.
The four from the hull number "41" dwarfs Jack.
Back inside the whirlybird.
Charlie insisting on safety first seatbelt use.
Note Papa is already resting.
GMK and those headphones.
Action shot.
From above, a statue. (and a cheesy couple re-creating the look nearby).
The flight deck crew.
Yellow = Landing signals enlisted.
Purple = Refuelers.
Brown = Catapault.
White/cream = Flight deck supervisors.
Red = "Smash & Crash" or Crash and Salvage. Also, Aviation Ordnance wear red.
Green = Aircraft Maintenance.
Blue = Aircraft Handlers. (Chalk and Chain personnel).
A girl who loves signal flags.
Baghdad Baby !
Ben pointing the places where he spent the year.
TFCC. Tactical Flag Command Center. There were buttons, switches, electronics, and the boys were happy. Essentially, it is the Admiral's Combat Information Center (CIC).
Leaving this part of the ship, we had a few seconds' worth of "Where's Charlie?" But he was right where we left him -- pushing buttons, turning knobs, et cetera.
Waiting for the "Island Tour"...
Mikey with downtown skyline as a backdrop.
GMK and Mikey, take THREE.
Last picture of LLGA, Charlie and I before we left the "Island Tour" line (where LLGA was not allowed access for safety reasons).
SPS-48 Air Search Radar. Max range of 256 nautical miles.
Ben, GMK and the boys were above and took this random photo. If you look carefully beneath the plane (unbeknownst to the tour group), you can see LLGA's pack-carrier ... Charlie, LLGA, and I were on a bench in the shade.
Jack controls the flight deck and everything around the carrier up to 2500 feet for 5 nautical miles. Carrier Air Ops.
Mini is "mini-me" for the Air Boss.
Great picture...the kind Ben likes.
Pilot house.
While the tall-enough people took the "Island Tour", LLGA nursed and Charlie-boy chattered about "checking out the airplanes."
We ate lunch, dodging pigeons, and spent some clams in the Gift Store, too.
Putting this destination on my Recommended List.
1 comment:
looks like a fun time!
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