Yesterday Guy and I had our day all planned out... bookwork for me and attic work for Guy. We were going to work until 4pm then take our chairs down to the beach to watch the sunset with the USS Ronald Reagan in port. No sooner had we made our plans than I got a call from a friend... she had been out the night before and struck up a conversation with a couple of sailors who offered her and friends a private tour of the ship!! In the end there were 11 of us - each sailor could bring 4 people on board for a tour so 'our' sailor, David Martinez, rustled up two other sailors to escort our group.
waiting for our sailor to come ashore

Any rate, Santa Barbara doesn't have a port for large ships, so a smaller boat took us out to the ship. We literally had to jump from our boat to a platform and then from the platform to the ship.... Let me tell you.... it was the E TICKET ride!!! There was a pretty good swell so timing was key. The crew did an amazing job of keeping us all safe - actually made it really smooth - even my big behind!!!!
she is massive
another view
boats had to dock to a floating platform
the platform was the E ticket ride

Once on board, there was a line of sailors in formation to welcome us --- my GOSH they all look soooo young!!
The tour started in the hangar bay where they can fit up to 90 planes & helicraft. David did an A-1 job of explaining the mechanics of getting aircraft down from the deck to here for maintenance. They also bring cargo up from boats when restocking for voyages.

There was a long, long line of sailors and when I asked our 'other' sailor Jerrik Lopez what it was for, he said it was the chow line --- I'd be starving by the time I got through that!!! He said a big part of life on board is hurry up and wait. Just super nice guys.

From there we went on deck. Let me just say that I've spent many, many hours watching the Military & Discovery channels so I knew a little bit about aircraft carriers but actually seeing and touching it was something unbelievable. The shear size of this ship - it's the newest and largest in the US fleet - 3 football fields long and 27 stories tall (7 stories are underwater). It is nuclear powered and can go 21 years without refueling. It houses appx 6000 people. It costs appx $250,000 per day for pier-side operations and $2.5 million per day for operations while underway ---- that's astounding.

The deck consists of the island (where the bridge is), the catapult that launches planes (they can launch a plane every 15 seconds), the landing zone with wires and nets, lifeboats, and lots of artillery. They have a 'dud' F-18(?) plane on the deck that doesn't fly but they use for training. There were no other aircraft on board during our tour.

The Island
Fire Trucks on deck
This is a safety zone to jump into if things go to heck on deck
Each of these 'pods' on the side of the deck are water activated lifeboats that can hold up to 50 people and are prestocked with rations, including cigarettes and potable water tablets.

patrol boats circle the ship constantly

Jerrik, Guy, Me and David on deck
one of my favorite pictures - the catapult that launches the planes at sunset
a great place to catch the sunset

From the deck we got a tour of the bridge, the living quarters, the galley, the anchor room and lastly the Ronald Reagan museum. It was quite an educational day, unlike any other.
our group invades the bridge
the Captain's Chair
still have to have a wheel as backup for the computers
each link of the anchor weighs 360 pounds

It was after 7pm when we finished the tour, we were hungry and tired!!! AND the seas were angry my friends!! It was like being in video game watching that platform go up higher than me and from side to side. I just waited and did what I was told... and badda-bam badda-bing I went from ship to platform to boat. Major EXTREME rush!!
It was a day we won't forget - the ship was so impressive but she didn't come close to her crew. Everyone we met on this ship was so professional and welcoming - just the best of what this country has to offer.
For love of Country and Family

Thanks for letting me share - sorry if it was a little long!

Tara, Eric would absolutely eat rocks to have been with you! What a terrific opportunity.

Not long at all...I'd welcome more; gotta go drag Eric in to see these.



They do look young, don't they?

Another interesting tidbit.... these carriers NEVER travel alone. "Where is the escort?" All he would say is there is at least one submarine in the vicinity.
Now those guys.... OMG I can't imagine being in a sub for longer than a week!!! Amazing individuals, indeed!

Tara, i just told Eric about this and he said he would have flown down overnight for the opportunity! Funny guy.

If the Ronald Reagan came north, I'd be happy to fill your new friends full of lasagna....probably not their first idea of a good time, but still.....

(Message edited by barbara_gibson on January 14, 2008)

Tara thanks for sharing - What a great story.

Tara,

AWESOME, AWESOME,AWESOME.....

What you experienced is right up mine & Rob's alley; we LIVE on the Military/Discovery channel. What you saw; most will never see.

You done good, chickie!!! I live 3.5 hours from Norfolk and have seen some of our fine fleet. I would give Rob's left.....to get on board a carrier! They have ever offered tours, while in port, but we just have never driven there to do it; DUH! They are not highly publicized though. I know your opportunity would have been the bestest of the best though!!!

Thanks for sharing; I could feel the excitement in your post.

Tara - what a great opportunity!!!! You got some great shots there - awesome
And, yes, they do look very young

Thanks so much for sharing
Not long at all

Awesome - great opportunity!! Thanks for posting

Tara, that sure beats the attic and bookwork! What a great thing to see and do! Most of us will never get an opportunity to see something like this, so thank you for sharing. Your pics are fabulous and so are your "hosts"!
I love the sunset on the catapult, and "the sailor, his family & his country." Beautiful!

i read this earlier this morning and only posting now. Wow! Awesome!!!! Thx for sharing!

WOW .....Thanks Tara

Wow is right! What an experience! Thanks for sharing the photos.

Thanks for sharing your day with us.

VERY cool shots and so interesting! Thanks for sharing your amazing day w/us.

nice pict Tara,
thanks for sharing.great.

That is just plain COOL!!!!...and a privilege to experience in person. Tara, consider yourself very lucky!

Totally jealous over here! Thank you for sharing! We've seen and toured the USS Midway in San Diego, but to experience a working carrier...AWESOME! Thanks again.

WOW Thanks for a great report Tara and very nice photos too, you gotta grab those opportunities when they come along

Wow - way jealous here in the Midwest. I would have gladly accompanied you on that tour, too! Thanks for sharing and posting lots of pictures Tara!!!

Tara,
I'm late to this post. But, hubby would gone giddy to have been on that tour! Thanks for sharing it all with us.