Memorial Day

Today we remember the fallen service members-- Men and women who came before us to defend freedom and democracy around the world gave their lives, and continue to do so daily, so the rest of us can live the way we do.

VP Visit

Last week the Vice President came to visit the ship for a few hours and gave the crew a little pep talk. It was a real treat. Many people don't like the guy or the administration, but there's something special about meeting the fellow who is second in command of the GREATEST NATION ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH.....

Jebel Ali #2

The strike group finally got another vacation from operations in the Gulf. We are in Jebel Ali near Dubai, U.A.E. for the second time. Apparently this city of Dubai has sprung up out of the desert in a matter of a few short years. It's amazing how much construction is going on here. The downtown pic below is of an are that is complete, but there are areas where the buildings are all frames without glass basically. The main attraction here seems to be the mall with the indoor ski slope. I hear it's the second biggest in the world, next to one in Tokyo. Amazing, but I think most people would just assume travel to a real mountain if they could.

Downtown Dubai

This is my friend Jamie. She is from SD too, and on the boat with me. We saw each other in the mall and decided we'd better get a picture.

Here's my pal Hoover and me, pausing for a picture between cruising for chicks and drinking fine imported Budweisers.

Here's a shot across the canal to an older part of Dubai. That tower is where the muslims sing prayers from. The towers and the muslims are all over the place.