Our ship comes in (20 years ago)

Waiting for the captain

In 1991 the Navy retired one of the several USS Lexingtons that have served since the original set sail in 1776. This massive carrier is filled with vintage equipment, planes and displays. You can walk and climb all over the ship from boilers to bridge.

Captain at the helm - think I'll take her our for a spin

Just edging away from the breakwater

Missing the copilot

Caught her

Part of the hanger deck

More hanger deck

Why are they letting me loose here?

Norene picked a more feminine ride

I could not begin to cover the Lexington in a meaningful way here. If somehow I manage to convey awe and stimulate curiosity my work here is done. If I bore you in this little treatise be comforted that I enjoyed it anyway. Yes most of the photos could be better – I didn’t want to load Norene down with my Imax equipment.

This looks like a challenging place to prep

Just a couple of adjustments to make before casting off

The servery

Here's where you find your "rack"

We'll be adding a link to a bunch more here when we get to some high speed wifi.

Hope you enjoyed that little tour with somewhere around a gazillion pictures. This was about 1/3 rd of original 3 gazillion.

All those who found this to be a bit of a snore thanks for hanging in. The free bar is now open.

Christmas and other stuff in Portland

We’re still pinching ourselves when the temps get high enough to make a Scotsman sweat - in December. So like kids we had to run around (OK stroll for the unbelievers) the resort clicking away like tourists.

really must get out the tripod

HB hanging out at the Sea Breeze

they call this the lake

looking down our aisle

 

Wait! We are tourists! Got to meet a great bunch of folks here (many are very long term snowbirds) and were invited to a Chinese auction gift exchange on the 24^th and a potluck Christmas dinner on the 25^th both of which were held here:

"The Place"

Lots of snow at the dinner. All of it on the heads of the attendees. Didn’t miss the cold version at all.

No ocean swimming here – it’s on a bay. But as soon as the thermometer hit the upper seventies the 2 legged fish was in the pool:

 

She even convinced me it was safe to go in. It was. We decided to pose for our 2013 Christmas card photo. I’m the one in the bikini:

 

If you’re waiting for USS Lexington pictures see my next update. Sorry for all the pictures of the boat – it’s fascinating!

Rockport and on to Portland

On Dec 17 we headed to Rockport and landed at the Circle W RV Ranch for a 3 day stay. Neighbours made us feel welcome. So did the local mosquitoes.

Park put on a Christmas concert with a 6 member family band – these brave folks decided to do this full time this year with a pair of teenaged twin daughters (18), a 12 year old son (magnificent violinist) and a 7 year old daughter. All are talented entertainers.

Park was in the midst of palm pruning. Tall skinny palms are still palms. Here’s an “after” shot:

Gorgeous weather in the 80’s next day so we headed into town for a wander around on foot – Rockport is a combination working fishing port and pleasure craft (lots of sail) harbour. Plus lots of art and collectors stores. Thanks to the weather goddesses for making it more attractive outside the stores!

We also scouted out rv wash facilities and found 2 do-it-yourself places. On the 19^th we brought HB in for a bath – he was covered in sand, salt and shell dust after the Indianola Beach storm. No pictures since we were both too wet to handle electronics.

Norene managed to score a civilized swim here in the heated (80-85 degrees) indoor pool. Even the heat seeking missus felt that it was a bit warm but she was pretty pleased to do it in December.

We had reserved a spot in Portland (near Corpus Christi) for the Christmas week so we pulled out on the 20^th for an easy drive.

I’ll spare me any discussion about the mall (La Palmera) in Corpus Christi except to note the vehicle charging station just outside.

On the drive from Portland we crossed over the huge bridge you can see in the distance – it’s lighted at night and changes colours dynamically.

Got a glimpse of the USS Lexington aircraft carrier – gonna drag Norene though it tomorrow.