Been Awhile, but still at it. Back at Sea with the Navy.....temporarily

Well, since my last posting lots has happened in my world.  BOTH of my children got married and I have traveled many more miles to many different places.  It is gratifying to see your children out on their own and successful.  Now I am left to wonder what is next?  Downsizing!  Travel!
My latest adventure was to fly to Hawaii and meet my son as he arrived on the aircraft carrier he had been deployed on for seven months.  His lovely wife whom he left at the end of July last year flew out to see him after all that time without him.  It was a wonderful reunion. My wife and I spent the weekend there in the Armed Forces Hotel on Waikiki, the Hale Koa.  It was a wonderful and relaxing time and we made certain that the reunited couple had plenty of space.  We enjoyed lots of beach time and some sightseeing drives and plenty of "umbrella" drinks (beware the umbrella!).
The best part of this trip was being able to join my son on his ship for the sail back to San Diego.  Called a "Tiger Cruise," the Navy has been doing this for many years now as a way of allowing the parents, siblings (of a minimum age) and friends (not significant others) to see what it is their sons/daughters/friends do in the Navy.  For me, it was an opportunity to spend time with my son and observe him in a world that I am all too familiar with having retired as a Navy pilot.  I can say that I am proud of what he does and how he does it.

Funny how the more things change, the more they remain the same.  With the exception of so much of the crew being women, they deal with many of the same issues that I recall from my active duty days.  On the third day of being underway, we were treated to an "airshow," which demonstrated the capabilities of the embarked air wing.  I was fortunate to be in a position to take the amazing photo above of an F 18 about to trap "under the rainbow."
If you know someone who is serving in the Navy aboard a ship, and have the opportunity to embark on a "Tiger Cruise," I highly recommend it.