We got up for our final reveille and ate the usual great breakfast and talked about the night before. Elisabeth and I decided to take a taxi together since we were going to the same airport at roughly the same time. None of us lingered long as we had to pack up our duffels and have our berths cleaned by 08:00. I slowly repacked “Monster Duffel” and got all the linens for when Chief Willard showed up at 08:00 to pick them up.
Monster duffel is four feet tall but I managed to carry it. We checked ourselves out with the OOD and made our way to the main entrance that is about a quarter mile walk. I switched shoulders, pushed hard but about 200 feet away from the detention center I had it. I put monster duffel down and dragged him the rest of the way. Despite using soft ground instead of pavement when I could, when I pulled up to the center there was about a 6 inch circular hole in the canvas. As long as the airport didn’t notice, I didn’t care because I made it!
Monster duffel is four feet tall but I managed to carry it. We checked ourselves out with the OOD and made our way to the main entrance that is about a quarter mile walk. I switched shoulders, pushed hard but about 200 feet away from the detention center I had it. I put monster duffel down and dragged him the rest of the way. Despite using soft ground instead of pavement when I could, when I pulled up to the center there was about a 6 inch circular hole in the canvas. As long as the airport didn’t notice, I didn’t care because I made it!
Margaret, Jen and Shaun had called for a Yellow Cab already so I called for ours. After getting past the confusion of explaining "yes, we need two cabs from the same location", they sent another cab. Shawn asked me to stress they need their cab soon so I let the dispatcher know and she assured me that they would be there soon.
Their cab arrived and the three of them and their gear filled the cab to capacity. Elisabeth and I said our goodbyes and then waited for our cab.
Their cab arrived and the three of them and their gear filled the cab to capacity. Elisabeth and I said our goodbyes and then waited for our cab.
A few minutes later, Katherine and Orion showed up in a very small rental. Katherine had left her coat on the ship and Elisabeth had retrieved it for her. They offered us a ride to the airport, yay! We were relieved because we had no faith that the cab would arrive anytime soon but were skeptical that we would all fit in the small rental.
Katherine described it “like playing a game of Tetris” when we had to empty the trunk to get monster duffel in. But one way or another, we managed to squeeze all of us and our duffels in that tiny car. I now have a better appreciation for clown cars.
Katherine described it “like playing a game of Tetris” when we had to empty the trunk to get monster duffel in. But one way or another, we managed to squeeze all of us and our duffels in that tiny car. I now have a better appreciation for clown cars.
I called the Yellow Cab company to cancel our cab. We used my phones GPS and the highway signs to find our way to Charlestown International Airport with little difficulty. Orion was a little proud of himself as they found the highways they’ll need for their trip southward. They dropped Elisabeth and I off at the Departure terminals and we all said our final goodbyes.
I paid $90 for Monster Duffel to make it to Massachusetts and made my way to security. It felt odd not having any TSA around anymore to talk to or rely on. I found myself calling everyone “sir” or “ma’am” and wished the rest of the world were as polite as most of the people on the ship were. Only ten days and I was having trouble adjusting. Imagine how someone in the military must feel after being immersed in it for years.
A part of me remembered how I was planning on joining the Air Force before Moira was born and how different my life would have been. Though after my new experiences, I’m sure I would have enjoyed the USCG more. They say things happen for a reason and I couldn’t imagine my life without the love and support of Cindy and Moira to keep me going. Time to fly back home and try to be deserving of it.
I paid $90 for Monster Duffel to make it to Massachusetts and made my way to security. It felt odd not having any TSA around anymore to talk to or rely on. I found myself calling everyone “sir” or “ma’am” and wished the rest of the world were as polite as most of the people on the ship were. Only ten days and I was having trouble adjusting. Imagine how someone in the military must feel after being immersed in it for years.
A part of me remembered how I was planning on joining the Air Force before Moira was born and how different my life would have been. Though after my new experiences, I’m sure I would have enjoyed the USCG more. They say things happen for a reason and I couldn’t imagine my life without the love and support of Cindy and Moira to keep me going. Time to fly back home and try to be deserving of it.
**Thank you for taking the time to read my journal. I am now kicking myself for not doing this for any of the previous Friendship of Salem voyages as there is just so much that goes on, it's almost impossible to remember it all without this type of reference. Hopefully we can finish the repairs on Friendship so I can write a journal about one of our voyages.**
Want to see more pictures from the voyage? See all the TSAers photos at:
http://www.emaxitservices.com/mcgallery/index.php/maxcindy/Sailing/USCG-Eagle-Officer-Training-Voyage
Want to see more pictures from the voyage? See all the TSAers photos at:
http://www.emaxitservices.com/mcgallery/index.php/maxcindy/Sailing/USCG-Eagle-Officer-Training-Voyage