Montreal Trip - Day 5

I was thinking about taking the kids to Fort Ticonderoga this morning, but it became clear that our visit with Clarence and Wilma had used up some of the time we'd need for that excursion. So, still keeping our itinerary a secret, I worked our way up to Shelburne, VT. Nicky and I had been here before, but without the kids. I figured they would enjoy a visit to the Vermont Teddy Bear Factory - and I was right. We also checked out a Morgan Horse Museum in Shelburne. I found a hotel (Shelburne Days Inn) and we explored the Burlington and Shelburne Farm area of Lake Champlain. We had so much fun that I figured the kids would like another day in the area.  So, after returning to our hotel, I added a night to our reservation.  We ate dinner at Friendly's (always nice) and made plans for another day in the area.

Montreal Trip - Day 4

After a pleasant morning with Stephanie and Joe, we drove out towards New York State. I called Clarence, an internet "relative" who has kept in touch with us for nearly a decade. He told us to meet him near the Kingston, NY, exit. When we got together, he and his wife Wilma treated us like their kids. They took us out to dinner at their favorite restaurant. When the kids talked about wanting a break from the car, Clarence suggested that we come with him to an old summer resort that he has enjoyed since the 1930s. When we got to Williams Lake, the kids were more than happy - there were canoes, rowboats, old-time swimming and beach games. We spent the rest of the day as Clarence's guests (people thought we were his grand-kids). It started to get a little rainy around sunset, so Clarence and Wilma insisted that we not get back on the road yet. He told us the hotel we should stay in, and then had us back to his house for a cookout with him and his friends. Remember, all we shared before today was the same surname (and some job related similarities). When we left tonight, the kids felt like "Uncle Clarence" and "Aunt Wilma" were close relatives. I must say, I am humbled by their generosity and heartfelt friendship. We feel truly re-charged and ready for the next part of our trip!!!

Montreal Trip - Day 3

We enjoyed a late checkout and then drove up to Sandy Hook (Gateway National Seashore). It was an interesting place because you can see New York City from there and they have some great beaches. The kids learned a lot about the Lifesaving Corps and many beach animals. When we were done with the park (complete with a picnic lunch), we drove over towards Florham Park to visit Nicky's cousin, Stephanie, and her family. They treated us to a cookout and we spent the night. The girls were very excited because they got to stay with some little cousins on a "sleepover!"

Montreal Trip - Day 2

After a pleasant evening at the Holiday Inn Bethany Beach, we were up and about early because we wanted to get a spot on the Cape May-Lewes Ferry. We had a drive a bit to reach the landing but I'd made a reservation for 1115 departure.  We arrived at the recommended check-in window (1015) and were pleasantly surprised that the place wasn't too crowded - regardless, we were glad to be in the front of the line. The kids had never been on a big boat like this - and had never before left sight of land. They looked funny walking around and getting their "sea legs." After we got off the ferry, we drove through old Cape May, NJ. We had lunch at an ice cream place and then drove up along the Jersey Shore. I kept it a secret - we were very close to the Monmouth Battlefield (of Molly Pitcher fame). When we stopped, Mollie was so proud to see that someone with her name was so famous as to have a museum. It was nice to enjoy the cooler summer weather. As it got dark, we stumbled on a family pizza joint and ate a nice dinner. We found lodging nearby - we got to rent a whole house!

Montreal Trip - Day 1

We got a late start and by the time we made it to the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel, it was pouring with thunder and lightning. However, when we emerged on the Eastern Shore (Cape Charles), the sun was shining and our whole outlook changed. After passing the missile launch site at Wallops Island, our first stop was Chincoteague Island. Actually, the park is on Assateague Island - just beyond the more populated Chincoteague. The kids did the Junior Ranger program again and we actually found some wild ponies while we were on a nature walk. It's too bad that we weren't staying nearby, since the beach was very inviting. We had dinner in an old restaurant on the harbor in Chincoteague. As it got dark, we drove up the coast into Maryland and saw the bustling lights of Ocean City.  One more bonus for our first day of vacation: we got a free night at a Holiday Inn Express (in Bethany Beach, Delaware) with our Priority Club points.  We also did a little exploring in Rehoboth Beach before bed.

Williamsburg, VA (USA)

Used our passes again today at Water Country USA. Kids like that place a lot, so we had a really good time. Lots of great rides: Big Daddy Falls, Crush-n-Gusher and the big wave pool. Weather was nice and we stayed late.

Brunswick, ME (USA)

This morning, I checked out of the Naval Station Rota Navy Gateway Inn, turned in my rental car and met up with the rest of my crew (flying with Karl and Micah).  After all the delays we've faced, we finally got a nice early start... Our first leg was a flight to the Azores (Terceira) - we got gas there and then continued to Brunswick, Maine. We had a great turn through there and, after another good flight to Hampton Roads (arrived at 1500L), finished our long mission.  Once my paperwork was finished, I called Nicky - she and the kids met me for dinner at Number 1 China Buffet on Granby Street (our favorite restaurant in Norfolk).  What a trip...

Sevilla, Andalucia (Spain)

Woke up in my room at the Naval Station Rota Navy Gateway Inn at around 0900 and tried to get a rental car. There weren't any available then but I later (1130) heard back from ATA Rent a Car (at Base Operations) - they'd found a car if I still wanted it! When I called the other guys (Micah and Karl), I discovered that none of them wanted to go.  Later, I learned that they had gone out again last night after I went to bed.  This was one of those rare opportunities that I could not let pass without making the most of it! Got a little help from the concierge, who printed out a Google map for me.  Even better: one of the enlisted crew (Hanscom) agreed to go with me.  Armed with basic information, we quickly drove to the city of Sevilla (Seville). We were hoping to visit the Cathedral where Columbus was buried but it was closed! Instead, we took a tour of the Alcazar - it had a great exhibit on an early Muslim writer who traveled in Spain during the Ninth Century. We walked in the gardens of King Ferdinand and Isabella and stood in the room where Columbus presented his discoveries from the New World. The whole city was very interesting - I would definitely go there again! Hanscom and I later drove around Rota, looking for a good seafood restaurant. We ended up finding one (part Italian, part seafood) near some beautiful beach resorts and had a delicious dinner  It was a great end to a great day!

Puerto de Santa Maria, Andalucia (Spain)

After a fitful sleep at the Naval Station Rota Navy Gateway Inn, I met my crew and we headed to the airfield.  Just before our planned departure time, we learned that our aircraft was broken. After some phone calls to home plate, determined we weren't going to be leaving anytime soon. Everyone was still pretty tired, so we all went to our rooms (they let us check back in without delay) and took a nap. Around 1700, Karl, Micah, Rafael and I got cabs and went over to Puerto de Santa Maria. We walked around for several hours and ate a late dinner (2000). We stayed at the restaurant until almost midnight. After that, we went back out on the street and saw tons of people! I guess things really get cranking around 2330 here... I was surprised to see so many people Brenna and Erin's age, though. Found out when I got back to my room that we won't be leaving tomorrow, either. Asked a couple of the guys if they wanted to go out tomorrow - we'll see... Got to bed around 0230.

Rota, Andalucia (Spain)

This was one of those days that just would not end! Woke up this morning, planning to fly to Spain. Checked out of the Al Dana Resort (Novotel by Accor) but, when we arrived at the plane, Karl told me we'd gotten tasking for additional flights to another location.  The revised itinerary was possible but absolutely guaranteed we'd be unable to stay on our schedule. After some uncomfortable wrangling with the local Navy authorities - on Karl's part, not mine - we finally departed Bahrain for Crete. Somehow, my boss back home heard about Karl's arguments with the scheduler - we found out he wasn't happy when we landed at Souda Bay.  When I went to check the weather, I ran into my old buddy, Geoff, and helped him find some publications he needed.  After Karl talked to our squadron (glad I wasn't on that call), Micah and I flew the next leg.  Meanwhile, Karl went in the back of the plane to "get his story straight". After departing Crete, we had to stop in Sicily for fuel.  Unfortunately, we then got delayed for a long time waiting for some passengers. Ended up catching up to Geoff again (his crew had stopped in Sardinia) when we arrived in Spain. We checked into the Naval Station Rota Navy Gateway Inn and I went to bed kind of early - very tired...

Manama (Bahrain)

My room in the Al Dana Resort (Novotel by Accor) was great and I slept quite well.  When I met up with other members of the crew, we went out exploring.  One highlight was walking around in the Souk - the experience was a very interesting mix of cheap Chinese products and local wares. There were also lots of spices, foods and drinks from the area. Gold was plentiful, too! I didn't buy much, but I tried a candy that was really good [when I got home, the kids called them "chocolate rocks"].

Manama (Bahrain)

Started late again... Slept (from previous day) from 0730 until around 1600. After a late checkout from the NSA Souda Bay Billeting Office, we returned to our aircraft (flying with Karl and Micah).  We were able to depart from Crete just after dark and flew Bahrain (arrived around 2200L). Had some trouble getting to the hotel, but it was worth the wait - we got put up at the Al Dana Resort (Novotel by Accor)!  This was the second time I have gotten to stay in Manama and these digs are very nice...

Souda Bay, Crete (Greece)

After our late night arrival in the Azores, we didn't get started until really late.  We checked out of the Mid-Atlantic Lodge (Air Force Inns) and departed the Lajes Air Base by 1500L.  From Terceira, we flew to Rota, Spain (fuel stop) and then on to Crete. It was dark nearly all the way (flying with Karl and Micah). Finally got to my hotel (NSA Souda Bay Billeting) room on Crete at around 0700L...

Dover, DE (USA)

[Overseas Mission] Had a long day - and we knew it before it started... First had to fly down to Corpus Christi, TX, to pick some guys up for a trip to Europe. We (Karl and Micah) then flew to Dover AFB to get gas.  All of this CONUS flying didn't change the fact that we were supposed to be in Spain by tomorrow... Our flight to the Azores (Terceira) was long, but we made without much difficulty.  Fortunately, the weather wasn't even that bad, either.  I was quite tired by the time I checked into the Mid-Atlantic Lodge (Air Force Inns) - it was already the middle of the night. I fell asleep immediately.

Panama City, FL (USA)

[Norfolk to Panama City to Norfolk - with Nick]