The journey was long...about 16 hours pulling the trailer, but we made it in one day and pulled into Fish Lake Beach Campground around 10:00 PM our time, 9:00 PM central time. We were met by a blanket of hungry and aggressive mosquitoes. We hooked up quickly and then spent the next 10 minutes battling the little buggers inside our camper. We each took a short cold shower and then went to bed.
The next morning we were up early and drove the 40 minutes to get to the Navel Base. We got in line to get cleared in order to go into the building for graduation. Things moved a long and we were seated by 8:20 AM. The graduation started at 9:00 AM
There were a few preliminary activities and then they opened up a large garage-looking door and there were the graduates. There were about 10 divisions graduating and each division had about 70-80 men and women. It was very impressive seeing them in their dress whites.
An hour and a half later, we were able to go and find our sailor!
Shortly after graduation, Terence was given liberty and we went back to the camper for lunch. Since Jessie Ann's 13th birthday was the next day, we wanted to celebrate it while Terence was with us.
After lunch, presents and cake, we headed out to an outside mall for coffee and a place where Terence could get connected to the internet!
Terence had to be back at the base by 7:00 PM so it was a quick dinner back at the camper and then off to drop him off.
We didn't think Terence would be able to leave the base on Saturday as he was told on Friday that they had duty on base that day. We were prepared to stay with him at the visitor's center and packed a lunch and brought some games. But it turned out that he could leave just had to be back by 5:00 PM. So we made the most of the time and enjoyed hanging out, looking at stores, going for donuts and coffee and just having fun together.
The next and last day that we had with Terence was our trip to Chicago on Sunday. We picked him up at 8:00 AM and had him until 7:00 PM. We drove into the city and had a ball together. Terry has always spoken very highly of the city and now I can too! It is an amazing place. I wish it were not so far away because we would all love to go back!
We started out at the Willis Tower (formerly Sears Tower). Everyone went up except for Jessie Ann and me.
At the top there were places where you could step out and actually hang out over the building. Sarah Joy has no fear!
Just some really neat things to see.
Terence wanted Chicago pizza for lunch. We found a Giordano's and settled in for Chicago's deep dish pizza!
We headed next to the Navy Pier. People were swimming and hanging out. The Blue Angels were performing overhead. It was a gorgeous day and fun to be out with everyone.
Family photo:
On our way back to the truck we walked through a very quiet and peaceful part of Chicago. Apartment buildings lined this section.
It was hard saying good-bye to Terence knowing that we probably won't see him again until Christmas. We are very proud of him for his perseverance and endurance during boot camp. He now heads to Groton, CT for sub school.
We woke up the next day at 3:00 AM central time for the drive home. Just outside of Nashville Dylan noticed that our electric cord that connects the camper's brakes and lights to the truck had come undone and was damaged from dragging along the ground. We finished the trip with trepidation as we drove up and down the mountains of Chattanooga, TN through heavy rain knowing that only the truck's brakes were working and that no one behind us knew when we were turning or stopping.
We were very happy to see our home again that night! Sweet dreams for a dreamy weekend away!
No comments:
Post a Comment