Passed Exams!

  We came to Baltimore for 3 reasons:
        1. Cheesecake Factory Pineapple Upside Down Cheesecake.
        2. Roy's Lava Cake Desert.
        3. To take our USCG License exams.
   These exams had nothing to do with our jobs in the CG, but are required for merchant mariner qualifications.  Chris had gotten a license in Hawaii 5 years ago and it was time for renewal, and Kellee has always wanted to get a license, so Baltimore proved a convenient stop on our way south for testing, as we were both too busy in June/July to get it done.  All the prep work and administration had been done months ago, so all that remained were to take the actual tests.
  So, on Monday morning, we loaded up our pencils and calculators and walked over to the Regional Exam Center, about 1 mile away. Three days and 13 tests (between us) later, we are done - we passed each test on the first try, thanks to some serious studying over the past month.  It felt remarkably like taking final exams in high school or college - jumping from one subject to another with timed multiple choice tests every morning and afternoon. Our test subjects were: Chart Plotting, Navigation General, Deck General, Deck Safety, Sailing Endorsement, Rules of the Road, Navigation Problems (Terrestrial), and Navigation Problems (Celestial).
   Do we intend to use the licenses? Probably not, but its always nice to have a backup plan, right? As a 100 ton Near Coastal Master with commercial tow endorsement, Kellee can drive dive charter boats, ferries, water taxies, fishing boats, small passenger boats, salvage boats, do yacht deliveries, be a "lotion girl" on a Mega Yacht, etc etc.  As a 500 ton Oceans Master, Chris can do similar things, or drive sailing school ships (like Eagle but smaller).  Most importantly, we think it is probably a good idea for those who regulate an industry to be well versed in it's technicalities. All in all it was worth the time and effort to do - but not something we're planning on using for the near future.
   So now that that is over and we are licensed mariners, we can get back to being "people of leisure."  Time to head to the Cheesecake Factory!