Cape May, NJ

   We had an awesome time in Cape May this week visiting with our friends Kathy and Owen Gibbons, and checking out the sights of Southern New Jersey & the Coast Guard's Recruit Training Center.
   At the CG Training Center, we were able to watch (from the shadows) as Echo Company got off the bus on their very first day and were greeted by some fierce Company Commanders. A few days later, we saw the same company (with haircuts) as they "formed" with their actual Company Commanders.  Both were very impressive, but the graduation of Alfa Company took the cake, as we were able to watch 50 or so recruits be advanced to E2/E3 in front of their parents, and head off to the fleet.   It was enlightening to see what 90% of the Coast Guard has as a common experience, and the folks at the training center do an excellent job.
   In Cape May, we enjoyed much eating and beaching, as well as some logistics runs that we needed for Navigator.  We also were able to get some much needed studying done, as we are taking our USCG Merchant Mariner exams next week in Baltimore, MD (for no reason other than it's something we've wanted to do for a while but never had the time).
   We are off today for the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal, and then a couple weeks visiting Chesapeake Bay, before we begin the Inter-Coastal Waterway trip to North Carolina in October.  The days are getting shorter: time to move south!

 Kellee enjoys the Jersey-Shore surf.

 Alfa Company graduates and heads to the fleet.

Chris hoovers the last of a chocolate raspberry trifle.