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[Dubai (UAE)]

[anchored off Dubai for Christmas ?]

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Jebel Ali (UAE)

In the "Sandbox"...

Jebel Ali (UAE)

In the "Sandbox"...

Jebel Ali (UAE)

In the "Sandbox"...

Jebel Ali (UAE)

In the "Sandbox"...

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Suez Canal (Egypt)

Suez transit ended...

Suez Canal (Egypt)

Suez transit began...

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Norfolk, VA (USA)

Flew to the beach on a helicopter (not fun, actually). My boss told me to fly one of our aircraft back to the Ship tonight. In the end, the plane wasn't there! And I had to fly back in the helicopter... At least I got to call Nicky...

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Jacksonville, FL (USA)

Flew out to the Ship in the morning...

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[attended a performance of "Camelot" at the Alhambra Dinner Theatre with Nicky (doors opened at 1200 and show began at 1400)]

Cape Cod Trip - Day 11

Slept late, but still tired from the last few days... Nicky volunteered to drive, but I really didn't get much sleep. In Savannah by 1345. In Jacksonville in early evening.

Cape Cod Trip - Day 10

Up very early, despite no sleep... Over to DC (took US-50 into the city, probably a mistake...). Parked in town and had a chance to visit several Smithsonian Museums: Air & Space, Natural History and some pretty gardens. Gayle's highlight was getting to see the Hope Diamond. While she and Nicky were looking for it, the twins started crying a bunch - it echoed loudly in the museum entrance and everyone glared at me... Nicky gave me a couple of hours in the National Archives - it worked out great (found several important things). Weather was nice all day. Leaving town, drove to Arlington and showed Nicky and Gayle the cemetery stone where Mark was buried. It is still sad to think about how we lost him - just a year and a half ago... Gas at 1530 and then I-95 into North Carolina. Stopped for the night - late...

Cape Cod Trip - Day 9

Left around 1000 - stopped by Bryan's gas station to say goodbye. Took US-6 to MA-25 and then I-495 to I-90. Got on I-84 and was planning to keep going, but saw signs for Olde Sturbridge Village (1430). Stopped to spend time in the nice fall weather. Leaves were really nice. Had a good day and the kids crawled all over the place. Gayle seemed to like it, too. Back on the road at about 1630. Took I-84 across the Hudson and got gas in Maybrook, NY, at 2015. In PA, switched to I-81 (got gas in Pine Grove, PA, at 2300). Kept driving late - got on I-83 - since our hotel (Days Hotel) was at the intersection of I-83 and I-695 (Baltimore). Bed after 0200.

Cape Cod Trip - Day 8

One more day on the Cape. Nicky, Beth, Carolyn and Katie left the kids with me and took Gayle to see the Cape Cod Mall for most of the afternoon. Dad and I played with the twins. It was relaxing. We had another cookout tonight - last one for awhile. It is already getting a little chilly at night... We leave in the morning.

Cape Cod Trip - Day 7

Katie and Carolyn were planning to drive down to the Cape tonight, so we left a little early so we could explore Plymouth. Took Gayle by Plymouth Rock and the Mayflower. The weather wasn't great, but still had a nice time. Stopped to see Gerard at his school. Made it to Dad's around 1600 (no one else was there yet). Spent a nice evening at the house. Katie, John and Carolyn arrived much later.

Cape Cod Trip - Day 6

Spent the day with Katie and John - very nice to enjoy their home in Quincy. Katie is expecting (any day now...). I got a chance to run by the Massachusetts State Archives for genealogy research but was back after a few hours. Katie took Nicky and Gayle on a tour of the shopping venues, of course... Had a nice dinner at Katie's - Carolyn came by after work...

Cape Cod Trip - Day 5

Woke up early and went with Dad and Beth to the Brewster Mill (AKA Herring Run). Took lots of pictures. Said goodbye to them there and Nicky, Gayle and I (with kids, of course) drove by the Brewster Cemetery to see my mom's stone. Then took US-6A all the way to the Sagamore Bridge - a nice, leisurely trip down the Cape. Had ice cream at Friendly's near the bridge and then took MA-3 up towards Boston to see Katie. Made it to Quincy in the early evening. Had cookout with Katie and John (including lobster!)...

Cape Cod Trip - Day 4

Spent a lot of time in Dennis today - including a trip to the West Dennis Christmas Tree Shop...

Cape Cod Trip - Day 3

Woke up late, but that's OK. Gayle enjoying the weather (just a tad chilly). Went to brunch at the Marshside Restaurant in East Dennis around 1230. Showed Gayle around Dennis and Brewster. Drove over to see Grammy with the kids - first time she has seen them. Later met up with Dad and Beth and they took us over to Cuffy's Factory Store in South Yarmouth - fun! Had nice cookout at Dad's. Bed kind of early.

Cape Cod Trip - Day 2

Woke up early and left Tyson's Corner by 0800. Drove up on I-95 and then took I-83 into PA. Continued on I-81 and I-84 all the way to Newburgh. It was a nice day, so we drove up to Kingston, where some of the Coogan family apparently lived long ago. Spent a little while there and then continued on I-84 to Central CT - decided to take US all the way to I-95 in RI. It was a nice drive - some nice places to stop and weather great. Lots of foliage, too - Gayle liked that. Followed I-195 down to MA-25 and US-6. On the Cape by 1900. Staying with Dad and Beth - they like having the twins here...

Cape Cod Trip - Day 1

Left early this morning - had hotel reservations near DC... Drove up I-95 all the way to Northern Virginia. Nicky's mom, Gayle, came with us. Spent the night in a Best Western in Tyson's Corner, VA.

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[flew back to Jax from Ship]

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Norfolk, VA (USA)

[flew from Ship to Norfolk with Fig and Frankie (part pick-up ?)]

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Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[flew to Ship from Jax]

Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

[flew from Jax to Virginia Beach to drop off Scoop - returned to Jax with Shoe]

Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

[flew up with Gene and Blackmer to LSO school - return to Jax]

Savannah, GA (USA)

[date uncertain] We took Dad and Beth up the coast to visit the old city of Savannah. It was a hot day, but the breezes were nice and we enjoyed walking along the old waterfront. We ate lunch in an Irish Pub and walked around among the historic homes.

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[flew off ship (back to Jax)]

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St. Thomas, USVI (USA)

[left Admin at 0800 - back to ship by 1200 - under way]

St. John, USVI (USA)

Woke up at the Admin. Our hotel was just up the hill from a great beach. [Breakfast at Panini Beach ?]. I borrowed a car and went snorkeling with Rick - I have never seen such clear water! There were countless colorful fish and other sea creatures. We were out for a few hours and then headed back. The bars were busy tonight - what a place!

St. John, USVI (USA)

[went ashore on St. Thomas - then took ferry to St. John - at the Admin]

St. Thomas, USVI (USA)

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Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[left at 1330L - flew to Big E - COMPTUEX]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

Mayport, FL (USA)

[check-ride with Kory - touch & gos at Mayport (?)]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

Virginia Beach, VA (USA)

[flight - up and back to Virginia Beach]

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[flew off Ship back to Jax]

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Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[up at 0830L - took off at 1130L - overnight on Big E]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - today was a repeat of two days previously, with a morning NATOPS training session (first driving from NAS Jacksonville to Cecil Field), a day period of FCLPs at White House NOLF,  a debrief at the squadron and then another drive from NAS Jax to White House NOLF for a night period of FCLPs (with a final round of debriefs back at the squadron) - home very late]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to Cecil Field to conduct at NATOPS training period in the morning - afterwards, I drove to White House NOLF so I could wave the morning period of FLCPs - after the last plane left, I drove back to the squadron to do the crew debriefs - in the evening, I drove from NAS Jax to White House NOLF (night period) - the day was so long and I wanted nothing more than to go home at that point - however, I still had to drive back to the NAS for the next round of debriefs - finally got home very late]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to Cecil Field (morning period) - afterwards, drove back to the squadron to do the crew debriefs - in the evening, I drove from NAS Jax to White House NOLF (night period) and back to the base for the next round of debriefs - home very late]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back (day period) - after debriefs, drove back to White House NOLF and completed the night period - then drove (for a third time) to NAS Jacksonville to conduct the debriefs - home very late]

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Left for Jacksonville today...

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Worked all day...

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Worked all day...

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Rob wanted to visit his family tonight so we drove back up towards San Juan again. Just before we got to the city, we turned West towards Arecibo and found that there were several huge vacation resorts. Rob's family was staying in one and they were very happy to see him. They gave me some gambling money and he spent several hours visiting before we had to drive back.

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Worked all day...

San Juan (Puerto Rico)

Gerald and I were able to snag the rental car today and we went on a long drive up to Old San Juan. I have never been able to get away from work - let alone drive this far up the coast... It was a nice day to stroll the old fortress (San Juan National Historic Site) and see all the tourists coming and going from the cruise ships. We had some great food before we finally headed back.

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Worked all day...

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Worked all day...

Puerto Rico

We checked out the El Conquistador Hotel - a huge resort on the southeast end of the island. I have been here before. We had some drinks and played a little in the casino.

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Worked all day...

Roosevelt Roads (Puerto Rico)

Got up early and flew (with Gerald) down to Puerto Rico with Matt and Chad (formation). Had a great time - flew tactical form and enjoyed the view. About half way there, asked controllers about the weather and found out it wouldn't be great. Matt decided to break up the formation early and went in on a precision approach while Gerald and I decided to take our plane into the break - we ended up beating them to the Club... Everyone else showed up later in the evening...

Jacksonville, FL (USA)

[Alhambra Dinner Theatre]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

Cape Canaveral, FL (USA)

[visited Kennedy Space Center]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to Cecil Field to White House NOLF and back to NAS Jacksonville]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]

White House Field, FL (USA)

[LSO Activities - drove from NAS Jacksonville to White House NOLF and back]