Keystone Ski Trip

We were back out in Colorado for our annual ski trip.  The snow was much better this year and with potty training behind us Dylan was eligible for ski lessons...at 3 years old!  We had him out last year so this wasn't his first experience but you never know - we hoped for the best.

Dylan at Ski School

After a big dose of Warren Miller ski videos in the condo Dylan was pretty excited about getting out there, even asking if he could "ski over some cars."  Les told him that it was probably a few years off but..."yes, someday Daddy will let you ski over (somebody elses) car."

We couldn't have been more proud of the little man, he absolutely loved ski school (Keystone prides itself on making the experience fun for the kids).  They did a great job teaching him the fundamentals of the snow plow (pizza pie) which is enough to give him the confidence to tackle real hills.

So, after a few runs down the training hill we took him down a steeper run (and a real chair lift).  Dylan was awesome - we wish we had begun at his age!

We're already thinking about another spring trip out west to get the little man back on the slopes, looking forward to the day when Mummy and Daddy are chasing Dylan down the Black runs!  (I just hope he doesn't discover snow boards!).

Cricket

Must be the Aussie influence - Daddy doesn't even know the rules!  But here is the little man trying out a spot of cricket.  The fireman helmet and boots aren't required but Dylan thought it appropriate.  After these photos we got serious and Michelle beat Les 5 to 2.

Nice stance (I think)

Keep your eye on the ball!

Welcome Home Matt Rutherford!

I had the opportunity to represent the Naval Academy and our sailing program at a welcome home ceremony for Matt Rutherford.  Matt had just completed a circumnavigation of North and South America in a 27 foot sailboat.  This trip took 309 days, he did it solo and during that great expanse of time he never went ashore - non-stop north through the Northwest Passage, around Alaska, down the west coast of North, Central and South America, around the treacherous Cape Horn and up through the Atlantic.  He departed from and returned to Annapolis and did it all to raise money for a disabled boating charity called C.R.A.B (Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating).  I shared the stage with Gary Jobson, the head of US Sailing, Maryland Governor O'Malley, the Mayor of Annapolis and several Congressional Aides.  Senator Harkin teleconferenced in via an onstage iPad.  It was a great event, honoring a truely heroic undertaking 

Safety at Sea

In the wake of the disastrous 1979 Fastnet Yacht Race which claimed the lives of 15 sailors the US Naval Academy began a seminar entitled "Safety at Sea" to focus on offshore boat preparation, weather forecasting,  heavy weather sailing and survival.  That seminar endures today and each spring we partner with the Maryland Marine Trades Association to educate Midshipmen and civilian sailors in the safe operation of offshore sailboats.  My staff put on a truly world-class event, moderated by John Rousmaniere and Ralph Naranjo.  It was a great refresher in the risks of offshore sailing - and a great opportunity to meet some of the foremost experts on the water.  Briefing slides from the event are available online.

Naval Academy Sailing

I've been settling into my new position as the Director of Naval Academy Sailing.  It's a great job - that probably goes without saying.  The program is actually far more complex than I could have imagined - 160+ sailboats in the fleet, a 6 acre marina, a mixed staff of Navy officers and enlisted sailors, Government civilians and athletic department coaches, 20+ funding sources, a charitable foundation and an advisory board.  I'm trying to get out on the water as much as possible but each day brings new challenges.  I'm very fortunate to have an amazing staff.  Within my civilian ranks are veterans of the Whitbread/Volvo Around the World Race, the Americas Cup, former Olympic hopefuls and a Collegiate Sailor of the Year.

Skiing at Keystone

We've bypassed the amazing back-bowls of Vail for the more family oriented experience of Keystone, Colorado 40 miles to the east.  The snow this year was miserable with a scant 38 inch base (and that was probably all man-made!).  Still, we had a great time in the mountains, got a few runs in and put Dylan on skis for the first time (at 2 years old!).  The best I can say is that he didn't hate it - and I think he's looking forward to getting back out there.  In addition to the skiing we put the little man on a new pair of snowshoes - great for stomping around...and we explored a huge ice fort at the top of the mountain.  One great aspect of Keystone is the night skiing - rare in Colorado.  Michelle and I took turns in the evening, ripping a few solo runs without the little man.  Overall a great family vacation - we're already planning another early January trip for 2013!

D on Skis!

Follow me...

Kings of the Ice Castle

Snowshoe stompy to the Mountain Top

The Top of the Mountain

Shaving

On our recent visit to Spain Dylan thought he was quite the man and it was time to start shaving, and he also thought Daddy needed a shave too.

Visiting the Big Boat

Les had a Duty day on a Sunday, so Dylan and I decided that we would go to visit Dada on the Big Boat (The Carrier George H.W. Bush) and take him some Sushi for Dinner. It was a good way to get Dylan use to the idea of where his Daddy will be when he is deployed. Dylan went for an explore around the boat including where Daddy works and sleeps, we even got to see what Les does at work, watch the Simpson's all day :). It was quite an enjoyable evening for us and a great way to make the most of Les being on Duty on the weekend.

Fathers Day: A Salute to Daddy

I’m Happy You’re My Dad
Dear Daddy, I miss you very much,
But I know you are on the big boat
Helping keep things safe,
I am so proud you are my Daddy.
I feel safe when you are with me;

You show me fun things to do
And make me laugh;

You make my life much better;

The best father I know is you.
I’m very glad you’re my Dad

and so I want to say I love you Daddy,

and wish you

A Happy Daddy’s Day!

The picture is Dylan Saluting his Daddy on the carrier just before Les Left.

Bouncy!

We had a great day out today at a local indoor inflatable bouncy-castle gym.  We told Dylan we were going last night and you would've thought we were going to Disneyland - this little man loves to throw his body around.  It was also a good work-out for Dada - chasing him around and in many cases through all the inflatable obstacles.

"Always Ready, That Others May Live"

I recently attended the US Coast Guard's National Search and Rescue School in nearby Yorktown Virginia.  One of my duties onboard the Aircraft Carrier is the Search and Rescue (SAR) Mission Coordinator.  If any of our aircrew or sailors (or any nearby civilian mariners) are in distress I plan and coordinate the search and rescue missions.  We've been called on a few times and thus far all missions have ended successfully, but until now I haven't had much formal training.  This has been an opportunity to learn from some true experts - I was very impressed with the course.

High Seas

Although I'm safely back on dry land I thought I'd share a great photo from our recent time underway off the east coast.  As has been typical in the winter months we were chased by the weather - in this shot the weather won - it was actually more ominous than it appears with 25-30 foot seas and winds topping 50-60mph.

                                                                             US Navy Photo

The ship held up just fine - in fact, onboard you hardly knew it was raging outside.

Go cheesies Go

Relaxing after the big day and calling our friends to invite them over for boxing day dinner.

Merry Christmas!

 

Merry Christmas! 

  We hope Santa brings you all some really cool stuff

Get Well Mom!! - We love you!!

Christmas in Williamsburg

Much to do and see in Colonial Williamsburg over the Christmas holiday.  As was the tradition of the day, during festive periods the public buildings would be lit to celebrate the holidays, a significant public event or royal birthdates.  This year in the days leading up to Christmas several buildings were illuminated with torches, the events marked with narration and musket fire.  It was a couple nice nights out in olde towne.

This gets my vote for the best cell phone photo: Michelle captures the moment on her Blackberry

Torches blazing and fife and drum band marching - Dylan was enthalled

MEDEVAC delays my return

Happy to be back for the holidays after a couple weeks at sea.  In addition to our regular training missions we were called on to help out a few fellow mariners.  The latest call came as we were within sight of the pier - we turned the ship around and headed back out to sea with many families (and a many onboard the ship) wondering where we were going.  We were able to coordinate the rendezvous with another US warship, pick up one their sailors who has suffered major head trauma,and after a brief evaluation onboard our ship we flew him to South Carolina for further treatment.  We call this mission "MEDEVAC: or Medical Evacuation.

Bush dispatched to help injured sailor

Carrier was scheduled to return to Norfolk on Wed.

Published : Wednesday, 15 Dec 2010, 4:42 PM EST

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A MH-60S Knight Hawk assigned to Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 26 embarked aboard the aircraft carrier USS USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) conducted a medical evacuation on Thursday of an injured sailor off a U.S. Navy submarine conducting operations in the Atlantic Ocean.
On Wednesday, the George H.W. Bush was ordered to make "best speed" to assist the injured sailor, who had a head injury, according to the Navy.
The Mayport, Fla.-based USS Boone was also dispatched to aid the submariner.
A Navy neurosurgeon, assigned to Naval Medical Center Portsmouth, assessed the sailor and both were transported to the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, S.C., for further evaluation and treatment as necessary. The last assessment listed the sailor in stable condition.
"Mariners at sea take care of each other," said Vice Adm. Daniel P. Holloway, commander, U.S. 2nd Fleet. "There is no better way to show our sailors and their families the extent the Navy will go in order to take care of their own."
The Bush was scheduled to return to Naval Station Norfolk on Wednesday after conducting training operations off the eastern coast of the U.S., while the Boone is already underway conducting training operations in the Atlantic Ocean.
An unconfirmed account received by WAVY News 10 indicates the carrier was past the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel and close to Naval Station Norfolk around noon when it hurriedly came about and went back out to sea.
"The saying that we never leave a shipmate behind was proved today," said Capt. Chip Miller, George H.W. Bush commanding officer. "There was a sailor out there who needed our help, and we were honored to receive the call. I am very proud of the professionals on board this ship and our families at home who provide constant support."
The Bush embarked with three MH-60S Seahawks from HSC-26 and one C-2A Greyhound from Fleet Logistic Squadron Four-Zero (VRC-40). The Boone will embark one SH-60B Seahawk from Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light Four-Two (HSL-42) and additional medical staff to include a fleet surgeon and anesthetist to support this operation.
The SH-60B Sea Hawk from HSL 42 provided surface surveillance and search and rescue support during the medical evacuation.
This marks the second time the crew of George H.W. Bush was able to lend a helping hand in December 2010. The ship assisted a sailboat stranded 90 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C., on Dec. 3 by supplying them with fuel on their return to Norfolk.
"Being extended at sea is something we are always prepared for," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW/AW) Caleb Haynie, a member of the George H.W. Bush's Medical Department. "If the roles were reversed, I would want the Navy to do anything and everything to save me. And I'm proud to be part of the medical team that helped this sailor get home safely for Christmas."

Refuel at Sea

We usually practice this sort of thing between two warships, but early in our latest at-sea period we received a distress call from a sailboat.  While enroute to Bermuda they had lost their sail in a storm.  They turned back for Norfolk but ran out of fuel.  We altered course and rendezvoused with them and were able to pass over some fuel, a few baseball hats (with our ship's logo) and some fresh cookies before returning on mission.  We alerted the Coast Guard who would further track their progress towards shore.

Norfolk carrier aids vessel in distress

USS George H.W. Bush helps 4 on standed sailboat

Published : Friday, 03 Dec 2010, 1:21 PM EST

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - The USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) came to the aid of a stranded sailboat in the Atlantic Ocean early Friday morning.
The Shangri-La and its four crew members were approximately 90 miles off the coast of Cape Hatteras, N.C.
The Norfolk-based aircraft carrier, currently conducting carrier qualifications in preparation for a 2011 deployment, was approximately 30 miles away from the sailboat Shangri-La when the distress call was received at 4:00 a.m.
According to the Navy, the stranded sailboat, also homeported in Norfolk, ran out of fuel trying to return to Norfolk in high winds and lost its sail. The George H.W. Bush assisted the ship by sending fuel over in one of its rigid hulled inflatable boats.
"We were fortunate to be at the right place at the right time," said Capt. Chip Miller, commanding officer. "Assisting fellow mariners on the seas is one of the many missions Navy ships are always prepared to execute. Every time we go to sea or conduct an exercise, we train for the unexpected, and today we had the opportunity to do just that."
The Shangri-La, a 65-foot catamaran, left Norfolk on Monday to sail to the British Virgin Islands. The Navy said the sailboat's crew now plan to return home.
(Compiled from report by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Brian M. Brooks, USS George H.W. Bush Public Affairs)

Missing Daddy

Les has made a few book reading videos for Dylan so he can still have Dada read to him while he is away. So before Dylan goes to bed he likes to have Dada read and he follows a long. We all miss Les when he is away, but this is a nice why for Dylan to still see Dada.

Jamestown I (From the Sea)

It was at Jamestown on May 14 1607 that John Smith came ashore with the men and boys who established the first permanent English settlement in North America.  They had set sail in February on three ships: the Susan Constant, the Discovery and the Godspeed.  Using a southern route they past the Canary islands and the Caribbean before turning north and entering the Chesapeake Bay and James River. Unlike many who would follow they came not for freedom or liberty but for profit.

Dylan was very excited - a future man of the sea perhaps?

Master and Commander?

We took Dylan down to see the re-creations of the three ships that brought the first Virginians to the new world.  He loved it - it all seemed a bit too natural for the little man.  He's pretty good on a three hour drive from Maryland but probably not ready for the 3 month sail from England...yet.