San Diego
I was hoping to have a few pictures to show, but between the rather slow internet connection at the hotel and the reticence of my CompactFlash reader, I am photoless.
Today we spent the better part of the day strolling around the decks of the USS Midway -- an aircraft carrier decommissioned in 1992 that had entered the US Naval service in 1945. This was actually the first day that the ship was open to the public for touring, so we felt pretty lucky. There were television news crews wandering around all over the place. For me, it was most interesting from the perspectives of what technology it had and what technology it was lacking. There was definitely very little high technology around, except when it came to the planes that were once shot of the decks. Most of the complicated stuff was maintained and manipulated by well trained humans. Perhaps the most impressive computer of all is still the human brain.
Also entertaining was watching my husband walk around and scope out all the different bits of technology and machinery. If you could look through our photos you would be impressed by the number of pictures of airplane wheel assemblies, large pipes and large pieces of metal working equipment. I couldn't help but think that my Dad would have loved to be there with us.
But probably the best part was the older veterans who were populating the carrier, both as visitors and as guides. There were many good stories and it was really neat to hear guys who had actually crewed the ship talk about the role they played there.
Apparently it was also quite an amazing effort to get this carrier ready for viewing. If you want to know more, they have website.
I've done just a little knitting (I'm working on a simple Eros scarf for a friend who lives in LA and needs a little pick-me-up) and I spent most of the evening working on my Needle tracking program. A number of people have asked if I will be making an announcement when it is ready. I definitely will be! I will also have a place on my website where you can go to download it. It's about 85% of the way there now, so hopefully by the end of this week or early next week I'll have something to share.
Sounds like you are having some good California fun. But programming instead of knitting? Eeek.
Welcome to my neck of the woods! I'm sorry it wasn't the usual sunny SD -you experienced the June Gloom, but you know, that is as bad as it gets. It's beautiful here! I'm so happy you were able to see the USS Midway! Sometimes us Navy people forget how amazing these ships are to the public!! Love your blog, pictures, and musing- keep it up! I'm sooo close to starting one! I'm a want-to-be knitter...I knit in my mind more than I actually 'put-out'!!
Don't you love San Diego? It's like it's not part of California (read LA). We were fortunate enough to be able to tour an aircraft carrier when we were there about six or seven years ago. Talk about big! And they told us that if they had to abandon ship, they had to jump off the flight deck, five stories above the ocean! The Midway would be really interesting, too. Enjoy the wonderful weather, and take a drive up to La Jolla, a pretty town with a seal beach!
It sounds like you're having a good time, Theresa. Thanks for the update!
P.S. I agree with Claudia: Eeeek!