Eagle in Aruba

They made it to Aruba!  The webcam operator was phenom.  Check out portarubawebcam.com for the live feed.  They will be in port until Saturday morning.

Haven't heard from Pumpkin yet.  We are dealing with international calling rates.   He said he'd try to work around that using Facebook, iMessage, or Skype.  Gotta wait until he is off duty and can find a wifi hotspot.  Wish we were there!

Glimpses

A parent took some pictures while Eagle and the cadets were in San Juan.  The pictures were wonderful to get a sense of what they are doing.  They are even better, when I catch a few of MY cadet.  He is out on the town in the pinkish shirt and khaki shorts.

The last picture is the first one I've seen of him with his 3/C shoulder boards serving duty on board Eagle giving tours to the public.  Very impressive!

Memorial Weekend Recap

One day last week, USCG Eagle posted this picture.  The views are amazing.  The cadets are very busy, but I hope they savoring the beauty.  There are daily posts on the Eagle Facebook page.  We thoroughly enjoy the glimpses into life on the boat.

This was the picture as they pulled into San Juan.  A Coast Guard helicopter was part of the escort.  We got our first text from Pumpkin on Wednesday afternoon.  All is said was "hey, momma."  I loved it and loved hearing his text tone on my phone.  Pumpkin was below deck on some duty and did not get to see the entrance into the harbor.

We got a phone call late Wednesday night.  It was so nice to hear his voice.  All is going well.  He sounded tired learning lots on Eagle.  They were excited to be back on ground for a few.  The local USCG Sector hosted an ultimate frisbee tournament.  Pumpkin said the 3/Cs were the ones to beat.  He was even captured in one of the formal Eagle pictures.  Not sure what he's doing, but it made me smile.

He had duty on Eagle the day before.  The ship is open to the public for tours.  He ended up with a sunburn V on his neck from the collar of his uniform.  We laughed as the same thing happened to me at the Louisville track meet.

They were back on the ship and it pulled away on Saturday.  Here they are leaving, on their way to Aruba.

We had a pretty low key weekend.  Peanut had a group of guys spend the night on Friday.  It was fun to have them all here.  We did lots of yard work.  I even got some annuals planted this year!  It is hot, already.  We shopped a bit.  We cooked some good food.  The Big Guy grilled burgers tonight and grilled corn.  Yummy!  The tarragon is a perfect addition.

Most importantly, our flag is flying.  We've got our Coast Guard shirts on and are grateful for all those that served and are serving this country.

This is a zoomed in picture of my dad (center row, second from right).  Army Third Platoon, Company C, Fort Belvoir 1944- -what's up with the guy behind him and his cover?  Not sure he got the memo!

Pumpkin asked us to not chase Eagle, where parents come to the ports Eagle docks in.  I think it is a right of passage.  We understand, but are really thinking about driving to Miami, FL in the middle of June.  That will be his last stop.  We know he will only be there for a day.  But, we'd love to see him and we'd love to get a tour of Eagle.  I don't want to step on his toes.  I don't want to regret not going, either.  It's a long drive, but we just might do it!

School is Out!

Pumpkin Bread for breakfast

Perfect for the last day of freshman year!

Wahoo to Summer!

Progress

Eagle and her precious cargo are making progress toward their first port, San Juan.

Crossing my fingers we might get an iMessage sometime in the middle of this week.

Miami Beet

My pedicure color of choice, Miami Beet.  Saw the name and chose it in honor of Pumpkin sailing the Caribbean to his destination in Miami!

I know it is more of a fall/winter color.  But, went with it anyway...

This Weekend

It's been a laborious process, one that Pumpkin does not mind missing out on!  We used to have two 30+ feet maples in this spot.  The trees suffered storm damage and the roots were taking over the yard.  So, we cut them down, had the roots ground.  Moved the new mulch to our beds and put down the sod.  It looks amazing and the sod is turning green.  The Big Buy is very focused and won't forget to water.  We are going to plant another tree, but not in the same spot and not until the fall.  That was the initial plan, but I toil with risking the summer heat and planting that tree!

 Friday morning breakfast was yummy.  Banana bread fresh from the oven.

We did lots of yard work on Saturday trimming one set of birch trees and cleaning out the bed that goes with the trees.  It is amazing how wild things get after a bit of neglect.  We still have so much work to do.  Slow and steady…

We treated ourselves to Central BarBQ after working so hard.  We hadn't been there in some time.  It was yummy.

For Mother's Day, we went to my SIL sharing brunch with them.  My boys planned a dinner cooking it all.  It was lovely.  They made a lemon meringue pie from scratch.  Peanut decorated the top.  How cute is that?  Guess what?  They forgot to bake the crust first.  I bypassed that and enjoyed one of the best lemon meringue I've ever had!

 Peanut set the table using the special day plate we normally reserve for birthdays.

It was a nice treat to have dinner made for me.  We all enjoyed it!  Well, maybe not the Big Guy.  He doesn't mind grilling, but doesn't not like to cook.  Gotta love him!

USCG Eagle Sets Sail

Pumpkin was so excited!  We got to talk to him on Friday night.  He was done with finals and just waiting to leave on Saturday.  They got to Eagle early Saturday morning.  Rumor has it they loaded food for four hours.  The cadets started their "up and over" training as you can see in this photo.

They have to be certified to climb up to the higher masts.  The main mast is over 140 feet in the air.

Parents were at the port snapping pictures all day.  I have not spotted my Waldo yet, but thoroughly enjoyed seeing all the pictures.  It provides a glimpse into what they are doing.

Eagle pulled away at 6pm.  Now, I can follow her on Vesselfinder.  Who would have thought I'd be tracking a ship?!  You can follow their official page here.  

We can't communicate with Pumpkin making it hard on me.  Their next stop is San Juan in about 10 days.  I hope he has his sunscreen.  I do miss him, but am so proud of him.  I asked him to take a picture a day so he can tell us all about it.  I've decided to take daily pictures too.  I'm gonna post here just in case he gets internet access and checks my blog.  If he doesn't, we'll share it all when we see each other next.

Fair Winds and Calm Seas, Pumpkin!

I'm Back...

Not sure why, but just have not posted too much this past month.  Well, that is going to change.  Pumpkin finished his first year at the Academy!  Wow! So. Very. Proud.

Today they boarded Eagle at this very port and will set sail for 5+ weeks.  We won't see him and don't expect to hear from him.  I asked him to take pictures, one a day, so he can share the experience with me when he gets home.  I figured I'll do the same to keep track of all the excitement at home.  LOL!

They depart later today with the first port, San Juan, in about 10 days.  Already thankful for vessel finders and port webcams!

There is a series on Youtube that describes his summer experience.  Here is the link for the first video.  When you get to the sight, you can click through and watch the remaining videos.  I love all I am learning!