USS Abraham Lincoln

Watched the giant carrier pass by the light house at the end of the breakwater and turn toward the pier at the end of West Channel where she docked July 25, 2011.

Ship commisioned 11 November 1989.

Cost $4.5 billion

Class: Nimitz Aircraft Carrier

Overall Length 1,092'

Beam overall 252'
          waterline 134'

Speed 30 plus Knots

Aircraft carried: 90 fixed wind and heliocopters

On January 13, 2010, the carrier completed upgrades and repair that cost $250 million at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. The carrier was to be assigned to Carrier Strike Group Nine.

On February 03, 2011, The ship was awarded the Battle Effectiveness Award for its high standards of excellence and combat readiness

Los Angeles Navy Week July 25-31

My Pelican Pictures

This is an update of an old blog.

These first pictures were taken close to White's Point from the path that leads down to the water by Royal Palms. The pelicans are actually below me in several shots.

That is Point Fermin in the background

These were taken in March of this year.

They soar in small groups or in large ones. They start flying along the breakwater in Cabrillo Beach then ride the uplift along the cliff edge to Royal Palms then turn around and fly back close to the wave tops.

California Brown Pelican

Pelecanus occidentalis californicus

Now the pictures shift to two pelicans following in a returning fishing boat.

They know there will be something to eat.

The beggars are very good at panhandling

A flock of gulls also followed the boat into the dock but they stay in the air above the pelicans hoping to get some left overs.

It is not uncommon for gulls to steal from a pelican when they try to swallow their catch. The pelican stays in one spot above the water then dives and when it resurfaces the gull is ready to steal.

The fisherman cleans out the dead bait from his bait tank and gives the pelican an early supper.

Continuing the sail on the Brigatine

Continuing with the pictures taken on April 23, 2011.

Sometimes the twin ships sail together and go in the same general directions but not always.

Notice that the Course (Foresail) was not set.

The crew takes the lunch break in various places.

Every line has a function and is stowed ready to be lowered or raised at the command from the Captain.

 Flemished lines

Manning the braces at one turn on

The sun is out but jackets and sweaters are on.

At the end of the trip the work continues as everything must be lowered and return to its proper place.

Crew Training April 23, 2011

This training trip was on April 23, 2011 which was last Saturday. I plan on splitting the blog for that date into two edits as the time to load files from my laptop on my sailboat to the WiFi at the marina office and load on to Google can give you a fit of cabin fever.

It is simple amazing that first timers can climb the rigging and work the yards. I was asked to go aloft but since my body does not have the bending capabilities of a yoga follower or a young woman. I am determine to get back in bending shape and go up.

It is a way up there.

And when you get there there is work to be done.

Another new green crew member gets a chance to climb.

She climbs like a pro.

up and up

Reaching the point where you have to lean out and clip in.

Clipped in and over the landing.

More pictures of this trip in my next blog...