On the Waterfront – A-Fording an Island

(Pensacola, Florida; Feb. 26, 2023) – Very few jobs involve hanging out underneath a 555 metric ton (nearly 612 regular ton) steel superstructure swinging over one's head, but the Navy is not just a job, it's an adventure! This adventure played out on a cold, snowy day in Newport News, Virginia, as the final piece … Continue reading On the Waterfront – A-Fording an Island

On the Waterfront – Leapfrog!

(Pensacola, Florida; Feb. 17, 2023) – I haven't played leapfrog since I was about four feet shorter than I am now; that is to say, since I was rather little. Imagine my surprise in 2010 at finding myself in a game of leapfrog, but one played with thousand-ton warships instead of schoolmates on the playground! … Continue reading On the Waterfront – Leapfrog!

On the Waterfront – Sailing into History: Meeting the Proud Lion

(Pensacola, Florida; April 7, 2022,) – There are moments when disparate threads of unrelated events are woven into a brand new cloth upon which the tapestry of our stories will forever be embroidered. USS Ponce (LPD 15) was one such moment for me. Many unrelated threads from my childhood, my college days, and my early … Continue reading On the Waterfront – Sailing into History: Meeting the Proud Lion

Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

(Niceville, Florida; May 28, 2021) – Spending a day aboard the USS Kidd (DD 661) will transport you back to the hot, sweltering days when our sailors fought and won World War II with hard steel, heavy munitions, and zero air conditioning. World War II is receding further into our collective rear-view mirror. Although my … Continue reading Travel Log: I’m not Kidding Around!

Photo Finish – Unusual Views

Museum ships are popular attractions in the United States. Few artifacts are as impressive, imposing, and imminently capable of transporting a visitor back in time as is a ship from a bygone age. Panoramic photos of such vessels are always favorite souvenirs, but what happens if you take a closer look? What facets of the … Continue reading Photo Finish – Unusual Views