Destroyers and Shore Birds
The breakup proceeds, catching everyone hurrying to keep up and get ready for Summer.
This is the view from Ohlson Mountain Rd on the way in to Bill & Shellie’s. Their house is in front of the small hilltop just right of center on the horizon. Those white roads between us are the nordic ski trails that Bill grooms all winter. The trail complex is huge; these are just a small portion of them.
We put the boat in the water and are working out the winter kinks before the 3 hour cruises can begin. A sea otter was eating mussels in the open slip next door.
He was attracting a little attention.
The spit beaches are loaded with cool driftwood. Which you’d better not remove (local statute).
The USS Hopper was also in town. The coastal villages asked the Navy to conduct their training some other time rather than in the middle of bird, salmon and whale migration. Their response was something like, “We are taking environmental concerns into account when planning and conducting these exercises”. Watch this space for photos of dead humpback whales floating in the Cook Inlet later this summer.
When the Hopper was in port they offered tours to the public, so I took them up on that. The sailor escorting us onboard opened with, ” Welcome to the USS Hopper, five hundred and five feet of freedom”. We all applauded as I bit my tongue.
The Tomahawks and 6″ gun on the bow.
The 6″ gun (close to the 155mm).
Anchors ready to drop. I’d love to see the emergency anchor deployment drill.
Right in front of the bridge, the self defence radar guided gatling. Looks to be about 20mm.
The bridge. The two chairs right of the wheel are the fire control stations for each of the 50 cals.
The sighting compass.
Anybody can drive; the wheel has instructions right on it (hand included for scale).
Almost ready for the first halibut trip.
Weather looks perfect for it this week.
So far I've reached acceptable proficiency at the following, in chronological order: Silversmith, infantryman/door gunner, helicopter pilot, fireman, carpenter, residential contractor, FAA Air Traffic Control Specialist and crotchety old retired guy. Currently, I'm learning to fly again and that is what this is all about. 7/7/2020 edit: As I have had the opportunity to reflect (old people do that a lot) on my actual proficiency level at the above occupations, I feel adjustments are in order. The term "acceptable" depends on the observer, their own proficiency and experience level. Acceptable to me might be woefully deficient to the master. I think it would be more accurate to claim that I have earned a living wage at all of these occupations but never got rich. Actually, I feel that I have gotten rich at the last one. I have what I need and am profoundly grateful for all of it. The future looks bright indeed, as I have learned to fly again. For that I have all of you to thank. Thank You!
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