Monday, October 3, 2011

Touring an Aircraft Carrier and A Submarine

My brother and sis-in-law came for a visit from MI a couple of weeks ago. Being that my brother is an ex-Navy man, all he wanted to do was go to Charleston and go aboard the USS Yorktown. It was the best thing we could have done for him. He was like a kid in a candy shop! lol
Hubby is ex-Army, so my brother was showing him every inch of the ship....literally! It took us half the day to get through part of it. lol
Here it is in all it's glory! The USS Yorktown We were getting ready to cross the bridge to board. WARNING: There are a lot of pictures!



It's hard to believe so many planes take off and land on a carrier.


Even harder to realize how are military sleep in all kinds of conditions. They release the chains to lower their "beds" for the night.

The hospital had cots that were more "plush". lol
The armory.

Look at the size of those bullets.

I've never climbed so many narrow stairways in my life!

The many planes on one of the decks.


This is the catapault that propells the planes off the ship at over 100 miles per hour.

This is the hook that catches the plane to slow it down and stop it on the upper deck when it comes in for a landing.






Hubby sitting on a Gunner.


It was a perfect day, weather wise, and the scenery was beautiful!
We ate lunch on board in the officer's lounge.   Not the big brass, though.


Another steep staircase. I told you I was climbing them of day. lol

I thought we were leaving the pier and the next thing I knew the guys were taking aboard this submarine......it's a whole different ballgame from the carrier!!

Can you see my apprehension????
Officer's dining quarters on the Sub.

Servicemen's dining quarters. Very small!



If you thought the sleeping quarters were bad on the carrier....look at this! The men slept with the torpedos on the same wall. Officer's sleeping quarters coming up...

Talk about tight quarters....Yikes!

The bathroom facilities were barely better than an airplane and those poor sailors they lived on the sub for months at a time.

This officer has been on many tours aboard this very Sub.

Again, I am reminded of all our great military personnel that are serving in different ways to keep us safe! You have and deserve our admiration and deepest thanks!!
Well we're heading off the bridge after a full day in the life of a sailor.

If you still with me, thanks for hanging in there! I appreciate each of your visits.
Till next time!

18 comments:

Ceekay-THINKIN of HOME said...

Brings back many memories of the ships I have toured...and subs!! These men love it!! Glad your brother bot to enjoy it!!

Sue said...

I cannot fathom living on board a ship or a sub! WOW- no room, lots of steps, no privacy. I could go on... LOL But the tour would be very, very interesting! How amazing that you were able to take it. I tried to e-mail you back from your last comment on my blog, but you are a no reply blogger and I couldn't find your e-mail address in my mail list. aagghh.... I just wanted to remind you to sign up for my give-away. :-) We are so enjoying our backyard! Party again this weekend. ha ha I am getting too many of my calories from good food, wine, and beer. ~ Sue

Sweet Meanderings said...

I'd just have to find a comfortable to sit and wait for Hubby to finish reading and looking at everything. He absolutely loves loves loves looking at ships and submarines. Personally, I'm glad I've never had to live on one!
Candy

Lois Christensen said...

Wow! Great pictures! I think you are very brave to go inside the submarine! Definitely not for me. My son went to NYC last year to visit the carrier that is there that is now a museum. He loved it. Took tons of pictures also just like you! Hope you had a nice visit with your family. Enjoy your day!

xinex said...

I have toured some of these military ships before and I think they are very interesting. And imagine being there for 6 months at a time...Christine

Jennifer said...

Oh I stayed all the way to the end - and loved it. I am AMAZED at how those sailors live...truly I am. I don't exactly consider myself claustrophobic - but that just might put me over the edge! I'm sure it was a great day for your brother - looks like a good time together...and just think of the workout you got - for free:)

Hope you are having a great start to your week. I always look forward to your posts and your comments -

Hugs, friend. Jennifer

Anonymous said...

Oh, my goodness! I am NOT telling Mr. Precious about this. He takes me on all ships or submarines everywhere we go! :)Looks like you all had fun and you look so cute. Glad your brother had such fun. Guys love this stuff!
I'm amazed too at how the guys could stay on these ships so long during war times. My cousin was in the Navy during Viet Nam and we didn't hear from him for almost 6 months. He did send me his navy pants! I wore 'em too! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Cindy (Applestone Cottage) said...

Oh what a great tour and so educational too!
My Dad served in the Navy for 8 years before he married my Mom and had 8 kids! This reminds me of him so much, thank-you!
Hugs,
Cindy

sharon said...

What a wonderful day! It looks like you got in your exercise for sure. LOL I do admire all of our military men and women who live this way for months at a time!

Celestina Marie said...

This is such a great post. Again I will have to share this with my hubby when he comes home. He loves ships too and your pics are awesome. Tight quarters for sure. I don't think I could take it for months like our service men and women do. We are so blessed in this country and owe our military so much for their constant service to keep us free.
I bet your brother was in his glory.
Thank you for sharing.
Have a great week.
Hugs, Celestina Marie

Anonymous said...

Hi Ro! Oh, thank you for popping in to see me. I've just shown Mr. Precious your post with Oliver North but I didn't show him the ship! :)
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Totally fabulous tour of the ship sweetie!!!

The grandkiddos who I call the Fab Four got to tour it comin' back from Florida this summer. They had a great time.

God bless ya and have a wonderful day!!! :o)

Becca Bertotti said...

Wow ... great pictures. Although, I don't know that I could be stationed before an aircraft carrier or sub ... a bit on the claustrophic side! LOL. Thanks so much for your kind note about y Fall decor! I appreciate it. Becca* (newest follower)


www.adventuresindecorating1.blogspot.com

Entertaining Women said...

I think that it is always worthwhile for our nation to have even the smallest insight into the immeasurable sacrifices that our military makes for our freedom and safety. Thank you for sharing the experience. Cherry Kay

Linda @ Life and Linda said...

Thanks for sharing this amazing tour. I have
never been on one. It's always interesting to see
how the men lived, slept and dined.
I could never live in such close quarters.
Kudos to all who served our country proudly.

Yellow Rose Arbor said...

Interesting, but I get claustrophobia just looking at those small spaces! I could have never climbed those stairs (with my painful hips!!)

Thankful for our service people for sacrificing all they do for us!

Katherine

Jan Hennings said...

What wonderful family memories! Great pictures, too :)

Thoughtfully Blended Hearts said...

I loved seeing your photos!!! My hubby is a 25 yr Navy veteran submariner...I can't imagine living like this. Happy Halloween!!!