SHIPS OF STEEL MEN OF IRON

JUST A FEW MORE SSBN PICS BEFORE WE SWITCH TOPICS. THIS TIME YOU WILL SEE THE HENRY CLAY AT PEARL HARBOR, A NIGHT SHOT IN HOLY LOCK SCOTLAND MOORED WITH THE JEFFERSON, AN UNDERWAY PHOTO, A CLOSE UP OF THE SPM ( SECONDARY PROPULSION MOTOR) BIG BLACK MINKOTA AND A AI REAL VIEW OF THE FIRTH OF FAY IN SCOTLAND WHERE OUR MOBILE SUB BASES ARE. THE FLY OVER PICTURE WOULD NOT BE CLASSIFIED AS THE RUSSIANS HAVE OVER FLOWN THIS LOCATION ON A WEEKLY BASIS FOR A LONG TIME . JUST NOSY I GUESS. THEY USUALLY DID THERE LOW PASS PHOTOGRAPHY AT NIGHT WHICH WAS PRETTY COOL BECAUSE YOU KNEW THAT THERE WOULD BE F4'S CHASING THEIR RED AFTERBURNERS WITHIN A MINUTE OR SO, SOME TIMES THE RUSKIS AND OUR BOYS WOULD BE AS CLOSE AS A QUARTER MILE.

MOOSE

BACK IN THE DAY

BACK IN THE BUBBLE HEAD DAYS THINGS WERE A BIT DIFFERENT. I SERVED ON BOARD THE USS SSBN 625 THE HENRY CLAY BALLISTIC SUBMARINE. JUST RECENTLY I HAVE UNCOVERED A FEW WEB SIGHTS THAT ALLOW SHARING OF PHOTOS. YOU'LL KNOW ME, I'M THE ONE WITH THE BEARD. I SHOULD MENTION THAT JUST ABOUT EVERYBODY HAD A BEARD BUT I STILL THINK YOU'LL BE ABLE TO PICK ME OUT. OK IT'S THE FRONT RIGHT OF THE ENGINEERING SPACE CONTROL ROOM, THE EQUIVALENT OF THE COCKPIT OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE.

PLEASE ENJOY THE NOSTALGIC PHOTOS.

MOOSE

FOLLOW UP

PHOTOS THAT DIDN'T ATTACH BEFORE

SORRY, MOOSE

SPRING TIME AT FRENTRESS

WELL WE ARE ALL MOST THERE, THE ICE ICE RECEDING FROM THE MAIN CHANEL INTO THE BACKWATERS. AT THIS TIME EVERY YEAR MIGRATIONS OF WATERFOWL, AND OTHER BIRDS OF PREY FOLLOW THE OPENING RIVER AND IT'S TRIBUTARY WATERS IN A SYMBIOTIC RELATIONSHIP OF FOOD AND FLIGHT. THE AVAILBLE FISH FOR EAGLES AND OPEN WATER FOR THE DIVING DUCKS MAKE THERE MIGRATIONS POSSIBLE. AS MUCH AS THE RIVER MELT THE WARM AIR MOVING INTO THE MIDWEST ON SUNNY SPRING DAYS MAKE FOR GREAT SAILING ON THE UP DRAFTS PUSHUNG OFF THE BLUFFS OF IOWA AND WISCONSIN. THIS TIME OF YEAR MAKES TAKING PICTURESOF OUR FEATHERED FREINDS MUCH EASIER. PLEASE ENJOY THE PHOTOS FROM LAST WEEK TAKEN AT FRENTRESS LAKE MARINA AND STAY TUNED FOR A ROUND OF NOTSTAGIC SHOTS FROM MY SUBMARINE DAYS COMING SOON.

AQUA VILLA PHOTOGRAPHER AND DOCK BOY!

MOOSE

THE POWER OF THE SUN

The power of the sun can be measured in many ways but my favorite is how it can lift you up from a long winter. Going on vacations to exotic sunny destinations has always been a favorite but this year we found a new exuberance wrapped up in all of that warmth. You see this year will be the first spring launch for the Aqua Villa at her new home in northern Illinois and we didn't expect the spring fever motivation that our last sunny stay-a-way provided. While staying with our friends Capt. Rick and 1st Mate Pamela on board the Tourist Lisa and I found much more than the usual vacation calamity that occurs while on holiday. This trip was different than all the rest, an emotional awakening of sorts knowing that soon we would be feeling the warm breezes from the deck of our Aqua Villa. With thoughts recommissioning check lists and new projects for the up coming season swimming through the coconut rum and gin our brains we found ourselves smiling uncontrollably. Let me tell you, if you try this and throw in an occasional dolphin flipping in the wake you'll find that same smile. I'll even pass along a recipe that will get you there and never miss. Here's what you'll need, a boat with the hook in the sand and a hot grill, the freshest tuna money can buy, a good bottle of wine with a post card sunset. I just don't think it can get any better than that!

Until next time
The Aqua Villa Crew