USS Yorktown

 USS Yorktown Day!

I have been looking forward to this! I know the air carriers are quite different now then the Yorktown but I was excited to at least get an idea of where Chase will be living and working. Patriots Point actually has the USS Yorktown, the destroyer USS Laffery and a Vietnam Experience. We did not even get to the Vietnam Experience. Walking across the bridge to the ships you start to get an idea how large they really are.

 

We got there around 10:30 and had booked the Captain's Tour for 11:00. Upon arriving you are greeted by a volunteers at the information desk. They have maps of the ship and were great. Our greeter was quite funny. We ended up chatting with him until it was time to wait for our tour. The tour was about 90 minutes and led by a retired Navy fighter pilot. Such an interesting tour! I would go again tomorrow! He talked with experience about the planes and the process of taking off and landing on a carrier. I would highly recommend!!!

The racks for enlisted sailors.

The galley.

Chase will be an Electronics Technician Nuclear but was fun to find something related. The Yorktown wasn't nuclear powered so job a bit different now.

 After our tour we were all fairly hungry as just granola bars for breakfast. We went to see if we were allowed to leave and come back. Upon talking to the volunteer I might have mentioned that Chase is in A school for ETN. They sent us over to another volunteer who must have done something similar. He offered to take us on a private tour down to the engine rooms. So nice and would have loved to do it but we were all quite hungry! We left it up to Chase but as his rate doesn't really work in the engine rooms and it's all different now he really wanted something to eat. Still nice offer and one we will have to remember in the future!

So we left and headed to Shem Creek on the recommendation of the volunteers. We were all looking for something other than seafood so agreed on Saltwater Cowboys. Shem Creek was an absolute zoo - people everywhere but we were committed at this point. Found no parking in their parking lot so had to go to public (any pay of course - we are going to spend a ton on parking this trip!!!). Anyways we figured there would be a long wait but once again we were committed at this point. As we were fine with indoor seating (you know me, I prefer it) they said it would be 20-25 minutes but ended up being maybe 15. Chase had a burger, Kurt a BBQ platter, and I had a potato with bacon, queso, and pulled pork. It was amazing!!!

After lunch we headed back to Patriots Point. We started by wandering around the destroyer USS Laffery. An amazing ship - it was attacked by 22 Japanese kamikazes and bombers. They had signs around ship showing where each plane and bomb hit. Despite being hit by numerous planes and bombs the ship survived and didn't sink. Absolutely amazing! 

On deck of USS Laffery

After the Laffery we went back on the Yorktown. We only had about an hour before they were closing so we just wandered along the planes and did a little wandering. Like I said, I could have spent another day here! You start getting in the passages on the lower decks and you could just spend a whole day wandering. I don't know how they don't get lost! 

These guns were actually taken off a ship. If you look closely you can see bullet holes and dents from real battles.

The brig! Literally three bunks and standing room.

Closed down the museum and I think everyone was a little wiped out. We decided to just pick up some snacks and relax at the house tonight. Went to Walmart for some pretzels, popcorn, water, and sodas. Back at the house we watched a movie (Quiet Place I and II) and then to bed. So awesome to get to spend the whole days with Chase!!!

 

Kurt even managed to get in a cigar!