Norfolk

While Aunt Marissa was here, we also went to Norfolk, VA.  Matt and I had been before, but a friend of ours is married to an enlisted sailor who just got back from deployment.  When they asked if we'd like to come down to hang out with them and get a tour of the Ike?  We said heck yeah!  None of us had ever been on a carrier before, and this was a rare opportunity to get to see all the Flag areas.  Needless to say, we had another great trip!

The meeting room

Part of the Admiral's office

Our tour guide, Chris, at his station.

Marissa was really happy to see that laminator

Our little group on another meeting room

All the ordnance fired and who fired them.

Our friend, Kristen, sitting in the Captain's office chair

Marissa in the Admiral's chair, overlooking the flight deck

Our turn in the Admiral's chair!

The view from the Admiral's chair

And one more person to hop in the chair

The view from the Ike.  The carrier you can see to the right is the George H. W. Bush.

Ha ha!

Okay, seriously now.

The Island

Chris giving us more information. 
And yeah, we're just standing out on the flight deck looking for B-1-RDs and CGU-11s.

Front view of the Island

A mural at the Quarterdeck

Dead baby afloat!  This is also on the Quarterdeck.  We were getting ready to leave, and Tyler had passed out.

After the tour, we went to the World's Largest Nex where Marissa found the World's largest Rice Krispies treat

The view from our hotel the second night.  This is in Portsmouth, where the Navy ships get repaired.

Kristen and I at Busch Gardens.  Since we were down at Norfolk, what the heck, right?  One more thing off my bucket list!

Right before Marissa had to leave, she and Tyler had a minute to say goodbye.

Another great trip!  We had lots of fun with Marissa, and miss her terribly.  Especially Tyler!