AWESOMENESS!!!

There are no words that can possibly describe this moment in time.  :-)

Trip Pictures from the Tiger Cruise

  Pilot tug in Mayport.  Thought the home port of this boat was ironic.  Apparently, the tug industry and the pilots are all related, and the Louisiana guys have the entire Gulf of Mexico and Florida coast monopolized.

 Duane's "rack."  Even though he was third in command of the ship, he had to share a room with two other officers.  As senior officer, though, he had first dibs on the middle bunk.

 One desk to share in the room.  Duane had another desk in the main control room on the ship (which was VERY impressive as far as the technology, but we weren't allowed to photograph it).

 Officer's Mess, which is where we ate, too.  Interesting protocol:  when another officer enters the room, they have to ask permission from any other officer who out ranks them to join them at the table.  There were several times, that Duane was the highest ranked officer in the room, so he was addressed when the other officers entered.  Only the CO and the XO outranked him on the ship.  It was cool!

 I am sure the enemy is quaking in fear.  We got to fire 50 caliber machine guns, and some other sort of gun.......I dunno.....but it was loud.  Notice the earplugs.

 THIS was our tour guide.  Yeah, it was a rough couple of days........

 Okay, he may be a big shot Naval officer, but he is still our boy!

 Okay, maybe not a boy.......  Entering Chesapeake Bay, Duane was in command of the ship until it docked in Norfolk.  We were allowed to be on the Bridge the whole time and watch him in action.  There were about 15 people there, all taking orders from him.  I call this picture, "His Game Face."  Even though he was chatting with us, he would give orders in the middle of a sentence while chatting with us.  It was neat to hear, "Aye, Sir!" in response.  It was obvious he was in his element and very comfortable being in control of a gazillion dollar vessel, navigating a narrow, busy ship channel.

 I love this picture.  After we were docked, and Duane could actually take the time to look around, this is the moment where he spotted his family on the pier.  The "Game Face" softened into the "Daddy Face."  I was so happy for him.

 Happy family!

 Welcome home, indeed!

(Damn, those men in uniform look good, eh?)

 We went to Virginia Beach for the kids to splash around in the waves, but it started raining very shortly after we arrived.  This is little William and his mommy!     Sweet picture!

As a side note, the beach was PACKED, but those Yankees don't know what a pretty beach looks like.  The water was murky, and the sand was brown.  Doesn't hold a candle to the Florida Panhandle.  Not even close.....

 Sweet Andrew, aka. Alvin, of chipmunk fame.

Kenny with "Gigi."