USS HORNET EVENT - 8/14/10 FINAL REPORT

[GREYHARE]

FINAL REPORT

Five Minis with ten adults and four kids attended the Hornet tour. My friend Tide Ebding rode with me and we joined Craig Dewey and Lynne at the Safeway rendezvous.  Jon and Dorothy Becker, Craig and Marci Murphy with two little ones and Derek Tuttle, his wife and two kids joined us at the World War II aircraft carrier museum. It was a "Living Ship" day so they were moving aircraft from the hanger deck to the flight deck and we all got to ride up with a Navy A4 fighter plane.  After that we got split up and did some different things. Some of us went on a guided tour of the forecastle (the front part of the ship) that included a 5 inch gun, the secondary con, where they can control the ship if the bridge is knocked out and the brig, a place you definitely would not want to spend any time if you don't like tiny spaces.  We climbed lots of ladders and ducked through lots of bulkheads, saw a bunch of planes and helicopters and an Apollo space capsule.  The Hornet retrieved Apollo 11 with Neil Armstrong. Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins back from the first walk on the moon.  Craig and Lynne did the bridge tour, which if memory serves me, covers the navigation bridge where the Captain controls the ship, the Admiral's bridge, where he  directs all of the ships in the Task Force and up top, Air Ops, where the "Air Boss" controls all aircraft both on the flight deck and in the air. I'm not sure if anyone got down to the engine room but Craig Murphy and family had tickets for the flight simulator.
Mostly by accident, we all joined back up near the snack bar about 1 PM and people had something to eat and began to leave.  Some had places to go and others had seen enough.  Everyone said they had fun and were glad they came. The Englander Pub tour was scrubbed and will have to wait for another day.

Nick Becker   

UPDATE #2  -   8/8/10

I checked out the tour the other day.

We will meet on Saturday, Aug14th between 9:30 &10 AM in the Safeway parking lot in the Alameda Towne Center at PARK & OTIS Streets in Alameda.  The best way to get there is to cross the 29th Av/ Park Av Bridge into Alameda.  Proceed most of the way across the island to OTIS St, turn right, and about 100 yards later turn into the shopping center at the Safeway gas station.  We'll be in the first lot on your left in front of the Safeway store.  The Safeway has everything you might need - a starbucks, a bakery and restrooms.

Getting to 29th St can be fun.  From 880 South take the 23rd St off ramp.  Follow Lincoln Av straght ahead about a half a mile, go around the corner and turn fight on 23rd St.  At 29th St turn right and cross the bridge.  From 880 North the the map shows an off ramp at 29th St.  Turn left and go over the freeway and proceed across the bridge.  I did NOT check the North bound off ramp so good luck. I did run the south bound.

Around 10AM we'll caravan across Alameda to the Hornet.  It'll take about 10-15 minutes.  If you don't want to meet at Safeway you can join up at the ship.  707 W Hornet Ave.  10:15-10:30 AM

The Hornet prefers one payment for a group, so please bring cash or a check to pay me and I'll make the BIG payment to them. $12 adults, $10 seniors & students and $5 youth (5-18).

About 2:30 or whenever we decide we've played sailor long enough we'll caravan to the Englander Pub for a late lunch.  We won't be going on the freeway.  Kids are welcome at the pub.  Most pub grub, burgers etc are about $10-$12.  Check out the menu at www. englanderpub.com.

I want to give them an approximate number by Wed so let me know who's coming.

Be sure to read the info below>

Nick Becker



UPDATE #1  -   7/16/10

The date will be Saturday August 14, 2010.  I anticipate meeting somewhere off site where we can grab some coffee and breakfast snacks (can you say donuts), then caravanning over to the ship to arrive about 10:30 AM.  They recommend about 2-4 hours to see everything.  Then I thought we would caravan to the Englander Pub in San Leandro for a late lunch, before heading our separate ways.

Admission for groups of 15 or more with reservations are $12 adult, $10 senior/military/student & $5 youth (5-18).
Otherwise it's a couple of bucks more. 

There is food on board the ship at a snack bar & vending machines if you can't wait.  There is also a provision to be served a Box Lunch in the Officer's Mess for $7.50.  I consists of a French Roll Sandwich, Pasta Salad, Chips & a Soft Drink.  The box Lunch is brought in from off the ship according to Peter Zeidrich of REME who has led several tours to the ship.  My feeling is I'd rather grab some pub grub and a beer but if everyone else wants the experience of eating in the ship's mess speak up.

Tours are mostly self guided.  There are 3 docent led tours during the day - Navigation Bridge, Forecastle & Engine Room (Engine room must be 9 or older).  We can also arrange our own docent led tour for $20 per hour with a 2 hour minimum.  If we have a good group I think it would be worth the couple of extra bucks a head because these guys are so knowledgeable and have great stories to tell.  Let me know what you think.

Finally there is a Flight Simulator on board that is supposed to give the feeling of a carrier take-off.  A Navy pilot I knew told me that there is only one ride more exciting than a carrier take-off and that's a carrier landing.  The Simulator is $6.

Please let me know if you plan to attend & how many & what ages.  Also your opinions about lunch and our own docent.

I'll post further updates as more info becomes available.  LOOK FOR UPDATE #X IN THE SUBJECT LINE.

Nick Becker



   

[daysleeper]

I and the wifey are interested. We vote for the pub grub over the Mess. No strong opinion about having our own guide.
doug

[zied]

Just to let you know, each time we had an event on ship, we always had two separate docent led groups at no additional cost. That may have been because of the number of participants, I just don't know. I higly recommend the hamburger vendor onboard as well for a cheap lunch, snack, or coffee break.

I would definitely plan on at least 3-4 hours. If someone really likes WWII to Cold War History, they may want to spend all day on the ship.

[Thorty]

Ahoy! I am bummed that I can not attend as I am unable to get off work. Have fun!
-Shawn

[jeffberg]

I live in San Francisco but my mini is currently in storage in SoCal. Could If I meet you guys at the ship would someone be willing to let me ride shotgun to the Englander Pub. It looks like I could take the BART back to the city from San Leandro after the pub.

Reply here or you can text or call me if you've got an open seat.
(949) 287-1699

-Jeff

[Craig]

Lynn and I are planning to be there!  Although, we will be driving the BIG MINI as the 72 is still in pieces all over my garage.

[BabyMni]

I might be able to make it

We need to plan a twisty road run, as we have not had one since Dave had sold his mini.

Are we falling a part ??

[Thorty]

Shadi,
Let's not be so negative.
We are working on some upcoming events.  Participation hasn't been that great for some events but with MMW2011 in our backyard I think that will change. Also the last Mt. Hamilton Run (planned by Dr Dave) only had 3 cars show so I don't think it's that.
There is this event in August. Next month on Saturday the 18th we are getting together with the Sacramento folks (SMOG) for a river cruise. I am planning the convoy to meet up with them. We also will be holding next month's meeting in SF at the Beach Chalet.  October may be a good month for the SF Cruise or maybe a Beach Bonzai.
Would you like to plan anything?
You can also give me a call anytime and I'll gladly go for a drive in the twisties.
-Shawn

[eburford]

Shadi,
Let's not be so negative.
We are working on some upcoming events.  Participation hasn't been that great for some events but with MMW2011 in our backyard I think that will change. Also the last Mt. Hamilton Run (planned by Dr Dave) only had 3 cars show so I don't think it's that.
There is this event in August. Next month on Saturday the 18th we are getting together with the Sacramento folks (SMOG) for a river cruise. I am planning the convoy to meet up with them. We also will be holding next month's meeting in SF at the Beach Chalet.  October may be a good month for the SF Cruise or maybe a Beach Bonzai.
Would you like to plan anything?
You can also give me a call anytime and I'll gladly go for a drive in the twisties.
-Shawn

that twisty over mt. hamilton was FANTASTIC!  I'm up for that anytime
Plus, my hood stays shut so no more frequent stops.
I might make it tomorrow;
-eric

[Thorty]

So how was it? Any pics?
-Shawn

[JiMini]

Hey Gang, Sorry I couldn't make it.  Ended up extending my business meetings and got back late late. 
Hope all had a great event.   J

[GREYHARE]

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