We're all dreaming a dream but we think it's "real life." So A Course in Miracles teaches.
Part of our dream was visiting Cuenca, Ecuador, which we've done as outlined below. Another part involves freelance writing for Allan and art for Becky. Yet another, house sitting across the United States.
Who knows what the next dream will dream us?
Wednesday we decided to see the Battleship North Carolina. It's a WWII ship that was commissioned in 1941 and went to the South Pacific to wage war. The ship carried out nine shore bombardments, shot down at least 24 enemy aircraft with its anti-aircraft guns and sank an enemy troop ship. She was torpedoed once by a Japanese submarine and had to return home to get patched up. She also took some accidental friendly fire that did substantial damage. Yet by the end of WWII she had lost only 10 men and 67 wounded.
Well, as wars go, that's probably not so bad. Walking around this ship gave us a feeling of history - the technology on this boat is 70+ years old. Gigantic turbines that drive the 40,800 ton ship. Armored cable bundles carrying power everywhere throughout the ship. Monstrous guns spread out over her 729 foot length and ducts that draw outside air into the lower decks to provide a modicum of comfort for the sailors and marines.
Today the ship serves as a memorial to all North Carolinians who fought in WWII.
20mm anti-aircraft guns. Just point and shoot. It was all up to humans in those days before radar-controlled fire systems.
Here's the "big daddy" gun, the 40mm anti-aircraft banger. A sailor sat in each seat and sighted the approaching aircraft through the little iron sight. Shooting by the seat of your pants. Foot pedals down below let you rotate the entire gun left and right. The crank controlled azimuth. I wonder if they issued ear protection in those days?
An air search radar antenna rotates at the top of this tower. Just below is the 16-inch gun director, a lookout point for
aligning the big guns with their targets.
The main deck. The ship is 108-feet wide and 729-feet long. It topped out at 28 knots and carried 141 officers, 2,115 enlisted sailors and 85 Marines. It carried a lot of food to feed all those troops: 7,800 eggs, 16,800 pounds of butter, 94,200 of sugar, 214,000 of fresh meat, 466,000 of fresh veggies and 135,000 pounds of fresh fruit. Well, it's good to know that they focused on the fruits and veggies! Sounds like a lot, but start dividing those numbers by 2,341 men times three meals each day. Hmmm, doesn't seem so much now, does it? The eggs would be gone in three days.
Here's a view from the top deck where the Captain gave orders and the crew carried them out. Those are six of the nine 16-inch cannons -- some big guns!
Just two of the 20 five-inch guns that bristle from every corner of the ship. I'd hate to be on the receiving end of these.
Compartments are all lockable to prevent flooding from one area of the ship to another.
The ship carried two Kingfisher planes that were launched on a catapault assisted with a black powder rocket engine. The planes were use to scout for enemy ships, submarines and planes, and to rescue fallen airmen from the sea, deliver mail and drop messages onto other ships. On returning the plane would land in the water then be lifted by a crane back onto the deck -- ready for another flight.
Some engineering specs on the engine and power train.
All in all a great visit to this old ship. We had a wonderful dinner at the Front Street Pub then back home for the evening.
Tuesday was a perfect day to begin checking out Wilmington and the surrounding area. We started with a walk, then hit the road to visit area beaches.
We're house sitting in Leland. It's about a 20 mile ride to Wrightsville Beach, which has many upscale homes
in the million dollar range. That beach has been a playground for people living in Wilmington for hundreds
of years. Heading South we find Masonboro Island (just next to Myrtle Grove, NC). It's the largest
undisturbed barrier island along the southern part of the coast, is completely undeveloped and is
accessible only by boat. Further South are Carolina and Kure beaches.
Wow! No shortage of sun, sand and surf here :o)
First we drove to Wrightsville Beach, which is closest to the city of Wilmington.
Next we made our way down to Kure Beach, pronounced "curry."
Kure Beach slopes very gently so that you can be 200-feet off shore and still be only
knee-deep in the water. I'll bet this would make a good surf fishing area.
It's illegal to walk through the dunes or among the sea oats and grasses. They protect the shoreline by holding
the sandy soil together.
There are public access points all along the coast that lead to the beach.
Becky in pensive moment. There's something about the beach that does that to a person.
No beach would be complete without a pier for fishermen.
As we left Kure Beach we headed up to Carolina Beach, sometimes known as Pleasure
Island. It was a raucous party place for years, but now is much more family friendly.
So that was our Tuesday. We came home, had a fine dinner and planned out the many activities we're going to enjoy over the upcoming week. Let's see:
Go see the Brunswick beaches South of Wilmington
Talk to some real estate agents
Visit the Battleship North Carolina
Check out the workout center, pool and hot tub facilities here
Visit the farmer's market
Take in a blues concert
Check out the UNC campus and the Osher Lifelong Learning Center here
...and lots more. The Wilmington area is a really attractive place to consider as our next home.
After three wonderful months house sitting in Jupiter, FL it's time to move on. The very kind and likeable homeowners for whom we house sat, Aleta and Steve, returned from their ocean cruise and visit to Chaing Mai, Thailand that began back in April on June 13th.
Becky left Jupiter to begin a new house sit in the Wilmington, NC area a few days before the Florida house sit ended. So once again, Allan became the house cleaner and straightener-upper, putting everything back in place for Aleta and Steve. During that process their lovable male cat, Polaris, realized something weird was going on: suitcases and boxes were being packed up, Becky was "missing" and the routines of his life were all messed up. He seemed to get a bit concerned and somehow climbed or jumped to the top of the 7-foot tall TV console in the living room. Stuck up there, he called out for help until I helped him get back down to the floor. I have no idea how he managed to get up that high.
Then, an hour later I couldn't find him anywhere and got a bit worried that he may have sneaked outside somehow and run off. After looking everywhere I found him nestled in the clothes washer with sheets and towers about to be washed.
So...yes...the pets do know when something is changing But even if homeowners and house sitters coming and going creates a little stress, it's nothing compared to the discomfort most pets would have at a boarding kennel. Not to mention -- it would cost a small fortune to board pets for three months at a time.
I asked Aleta how they managed to pack everything they needed into a single backpack for each person. She kindly and without laughing at the monstrous pile of Becky's and my "stuff" that I had to somehow cram into my car explained that you need to look at everything you think you need two or three times. Then if it still looks like you need that item, pack it. But only pack one of three things you really think you'll need. I like that advice and will take it seriously the next time we leave home for any length of time.
Here's a video of the "heavy packing" I had to do as I left Jupiter for the new Wilmington house sit.
Next time I'll leave lots of stuff at home and am determined to get all the clothes I need into a single bag. That leaves just my PC and/or laptop, iPod and a few others little items to carry along.
Of course if the destination is a beach area, you can bet the trunk will be carrying our beach umbrella, towels, flip-flops, SPF30 sun block and all that's needed to enjoy the sea, sand and surf :)
