USS Midway and Harbor Tour

Day 3:  My parents arrived on day 3.  We went to lunch and then headed out to go and tour the USS Midway.  The Midway is a retired US Navy Air Craft Carrier.  Ari and I had been on an active Carrier so she new about all the fun rooms.  She was upset that I wouldn't let her climb the stairs again.  At one point she found a corner and went and sat on time out.  Ari's favorite part was climbing into the airplanes.  We couldn't pull her away.  She loved that she could handle all the controllers.  It was fun to go inside all the different types of planes. 

After the USS Midway we caught the Harbor Tour and went to both ends.  One end has all the different US Navy ships.  It was fun to see some of the ships that I helped Bryan memorize.  I remembered some of the details that separated them from the others.  On the other end we saw a helicopter taking a bath and also some sea lions sun bathing on the pier.  It got really chilly on the Tour, but we enjoyed every part of it.

After we went to a sushi restaurant and enjoyed some wonderful sushi rolls. 

San Diego Zoo

Day 2:  We spent the afternoon at the San Diego Zoo.  There was so much to see and do.  Ari was having so much fun that she walked the entire zoo.  We actually had to ask her to ride on Bryan's shoulders so we could move a little quicker.  Ari fell in love with the Sea Lion and was so excited to see each and every animal.  I am glad that she loves the zoo as much as I do. 

Cabrillo National Park - San Diego

Bryan was able to finish early his first day of class and we spent the afternoon at Cabrillo National Park. It was so nice to enjoy the outdoors.  Don't get to do that often in Bahrain.  Ari loved the water splashing her. 

Vacation Travel

Our vacation started on Thursday, August 4.  We decided to save money and chance it by taking a military flight.  We called each week and it sounded hopeful.  Well, the day we left the perfect storm occurred. They had military in from Djibouti, transfers, and people taking EML leave. 

At first we were told we wouldn't get on the flight. Then Bryan started talking and asking questions and it came down to that we could get to Rota, Spain and then we would have to wait and catch a flight to the states.  We decided to chance it and go from Bahrain to Sigonella and onto Rota.

Once arriving in Rota we found that there were a group of us stuck at least over night in Rota.  Thankful that Bryan speaks Spanish, he found us a hotel or rather hostile out in town.  We split the cost with one of the guys from base in Bahrain.

Our little hostile like hotel room was cute. It was two stories. on the first floor it was the size of an entry way and it had a twin size pull out coach and the bathroom.  Felix took the ground floor.  On the second floor was two twin beds we pushed together.  We didn't get in until around 2am.  The best part about the night was being able to shower.  We got a few hours of sleep and when we woke in the morning we realized we had a huge roof top patio that looked out over the small beach town.  We were only 10 minutes from the beach so we walked through town down to the beach.  We were in search of somewhere to eat, but it seems the only thing they eat in Rota is toast and some kind of spread across it.  We opted to go back on the base and eat.

When we got to the base air terminal we were in luck there was a C5 that was suppose to leave three days earlier that was leaving that afternoon.  The only problem was that the C5 was going to Dover Delaware not to Virginia.  With the help of the group we made reservations with a limo company to pick the 9 of us up along with our luggage and take us to Virginia. 

Our little group was so nice to travel with. Everyone was willing to help each other out.  Whether it be watching Ari, making room reservations, paying the taxi, or just offering support.


This is the C5, gives an idea of how big the plan is.  There are only around 70 passenger seats located above the Cargo Bay.  This was the most comfortable flight. The seats recline all the way down and Bryan actually had leg room.  It was loud and the side of the plane heats up,  but other than that it was enjoyable.  I should also note this was the smoothest landing of any flight I have ever been on.  The pilot got a round of applause. 

When we landed in Dover we had to wait in the luggage terminal for three hours before they could unload our luggage. They had a distinguished transfer, meaning human remains being unloaded.  Our crazy driver had to wait for us.  Dave was an interesting driver.  We had to keep him talking so he would stay on the road. We left for Virginia at 1am and it is about 3 1/2 - 4 hour drive.  We made it in one piece and everyone made their connecting flights.  Bryan was able to get on the flight with us to San Diego.

Even after the craziness I would take a military flight again.  It was an adventure.  We got to see beautiful Rota and make some new friends.