time with friends!!

Naval Station- Norfolk

9-21-11 We went exploring today with friends, Pete and Jean, just like old times! We toured the Norfolk Naval Air Station by bus tour. It was amazing to learn and see the USS Cole and the USS Enterprise. Then we had a MOD at an amazing restaurant up the street from the Naval Museum . the name of the restaurant was D'eggs. it was recommended by a parking garage attendent and the food was good!!! turkey wrap for me and an egg salad sandwich and chili for Bruce. their chicken and rice soup and their meatloaf looked good too. The guided tour of the Battleship Wisconsin was good. even though i am of short statue, i could not have made it  on a Navy ship. the ladders were a challenge for sure. but it was neat to hear about the battleship and tour down below.  the area that was casualty ready was called the Ward Room ( Emergency Room) was explained in detail and i enjoyed this. A good day with friends.


ships docked at the Naval Air base



USS Enterprise



Navy ships a little closer



A house on Admiral's Row

Architectural mishap
the front door was placed on the wrong
side of the house... no front door facing the street
the front door faces the dunpsters!!
 All this according to the guide 

Each home on Admiral's Row was given the name of a state
This is the Pennsylvania House and clock tower

Another view of the USS Enterprise

Appearance of a spaceship
actually is an aircraft that carries radar



huge helicopter



street scene in Norfolk, Va.



d'eggs in Norfolk, Va.
great food/ great atmosphere and
 great friends to share the meal with

Hampton Roads Naval Museum
Battleship Wisconsin



Our great country's flag being displayed
in the Naval Museum



bunks and locker
CLOSE quarters for sure






















view from the ship
the carousel was interesting to see



a view toward the front of the ship
from the inside



Captain Bruce and friends
Pete and Jean
hard hats are impressive!!

view from the rear of the ship
helicopter landing pad and
"gun "tubs

big chain Huh!?

big guns Huh!?

small life saver Huh?!



Battleship Wisconsin

















The Battleship Wisconsin (BB-64) which is berthed at Nauticus, is one of the four Iowa-class battleships. Iowa-class battleships are well known for their armor. Over 10,000 tons of armor protect the ship. the ship was outfitted with Tomahawk cruise missles when it was set to serve in the first Gulf War. The rounds fired off from the 16 inch guns weigh as much as a Volkswagon Beetle.
The Battleship Wisconsin cost over 110 million dollars and took over 2 million man hours to complete in 1944. We were told that the guns were as operational when last used as they were in the WWll. She has won six battle stars. she is 887 feet 3 inches long from bow to stern. The ship was known as "Texaco" during WWll because she refueled so many ships. Over 2.3 million gallons of fuel can be loaded aboard. She supported landings on Iwa Jima. She took part in bombardment of Okinawa. She served in bombardment and occupation of Japan. She made it through the Panama Canal with only one foot to spare on each side before continuing on to Korea. In this war, she supported troups with bombardment in wonson and Kasong Donsong. She participated in missle strikes in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm. She served on the Kuwait coastline.   
Until next time