Thursday, July 31, 2008

View from the Mediterranean



Well I hope this finds everyone well, I am now on my second stop in the Mediterranean Sea and it's a lot more relaxed then the last one. The underway to get here was my own personal Hell though. We had a big piece of gear break that had to get fixed. We had to make a special tool to take a strange lock nut off. The first tool we made bent at 480 pounds of torque, the second one was way beefier and did the job, either way it made for an underway of very little sleep.

The deployment so far is going as good as it can. I have a note from Sam for every day that I am underway so it's like a little slice of home. This port we got our first mail call. I want to thank Cindy and Ray for the things the sent, Ray the pink sticky notes were funny as Hell- you know what I mean. Thank you also for the food and the other things. My wife sent me a package too that had a bunch of great stuff; a cool Teddy bear, food, cards and more puzzles, which are loads of fun to do.

I also remember why I love it in Europe so much, the Siesta. Where else is it expected that everything closes in the middle of day and it's time to take a nap. It's a great way to live, you stay out late get up eat breakfast then call the wife. Then take a nap and go get some food and see the sights then come back to boat and call the wife again. Stay up late. Rinse and repeat.

So I hope to get into town today and do some shopping. I remember something from the last time I was here that I am sure Sam will love so I have to find that. Hope all is well with everyone and I will call when I can.

Joe

EDIT: I added some pictures from the NAVY website of them pulling into Crete!

3 comments:

EM1derful said...

So there I was, clicking from one place to another and I end up at this nice wives blog. I glance up at the header and see a familiar face.

So, I may be late to the party, but I'd like to congratulate both of you.

I was fortunate enough to go to Boot Camp with Joe, as well as some school in South Carolina. I lost track of him in NY, but I can't think of a better way to run into him.

Please pass along my congratulations and tell him that Randy says hello. I wish you both a successful and, more importantly, speedy deployment.

Joe and Samantha said...

Whoa! Small world. I emailed you Randy. Hope to hear from you soon!
- Samantha LaCouture ( I'm fortunate enough to be Joe's wife! )

blunoz said...

Congrats to Joe on being selected for promotion to Chief!