Wednesday, April 06, 2011

We're Back

We've been gone. All over the mid section of our great land. We stayed on Padre Island a bit with my Brother Ed and Shirley pictured below with my bride on the left. We've also been to Denver and back.

This is the view of the Gulf from their guest bedroom. Life is rough. We did have to leave here to play golf every day. There are no spring break kids in this pic but they were there. I told Marilyn she could take one of my shirts and make about 10 swim suits with it. Not to worry. I didn't stare.
much


We toured the USS Lexington that has been decommisioned in port in Corpus. I'll not go into her history as it is readily available online.  The picture below this one shows the list of her actions and battles.  She would have been a major target at Pearl Harbor but had left port a short time before the attack. We've read several stories and one book on her crew and aviators and I can tell you that the bravest men in world served America on her deck.  Some were launched into eternity from her short runway. I recall one pilot who later related that he was dismayed at having left the ship  in such a hurry on the way to battle that he only had 2 cigarettes with him. He decided to smoke them both on the way to the Japanese carrier group they were heading for, because he was sure this was going to be a one way trip. It turned out that he returned to the Lexington.  Their target was so far away that several of the planes ran out of gas and  fell in the water that night while circling our carriers waiting their turn to land.  I urge you to look up the ship on line and see how she got her nickname the "The Gray Ghost."




13 comments:

TARYTERRE said...

That view of the Gulf looks mighty nice. Getting away always refreshes the soul. I'll have to look up "The Gray Ghost." Sounds like interesting history.

Shannon said...

Very pretty pics! Haven't been to the gulf since I was a kid. Need to take my crew there sometime......unless you want to, lol.

Anonymous said...

Welcome home! Sounds like you had a marvelous trip. Hello to Marilyn, your lovely bride! She can tell you where to stick those teeny bikinis, I am sure! :-)

The sacrifices that have been made for America are amazing. Thanks for reminding me of some of them.

Rachel said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip Cliff, and even getting to see gals in itsy bitsy teeny weeny yellow polka dot bikinis! Okay...maybe not that color, but that song came to mind. I'm sure your shirt would make quite a few, since some wear close to nothing!

I would love to tour the USS Lexington! A lot of interesting history there!

Welcome home!

Ralph said...

Sounds like a good trip. I've read about about the USS Lexington it is pretty interesting.
Ralph

Granny Annie said...

Wondered where you had been. Welcome home and thanks for sharing your tales of the sea:)

cassie-b said...

Nice - it looks like you had a great time. Thanks for sharing your photos.

Cas

Jim said...

Well, Cliff, I am glad you like that part of our GREAT STATE OF TEXAS! It was nice to get away from the cold and bad weather for a bit wasn't it!

We haven't been on the Lexington yet. One of these days when we run over to Corpus we will. Our best Corpus friend died so we don't go so often anymore. Wer the Pinta and Santa Maria still there? We visited them.

Mrs. Jim and I have only been to South Padre Island twice. We've been to North Padre a lot. Which did you visit?
..
Next time we would like for you to come over this way and stay a night or few with us. We are good guides for Houston.
We could play some golf. I am not playing golf right now because of my knee problems but Mrs. Jim plays a couple of times a week.
..

EV said...

Lady Lex is awesome, Cliff. You'll never forget that adventure. Glad you had a safe trip.

LeeAnn said...

You poor thing, suffering that beach view. Let me take that burden from you next time, just send me and I'll deal with it. I know, it's just saintly of me but I'm only here to help.

LZ Blogger said...

Cliff ~ Looks like a great time was had by all. I'll have to check it out... except the Denver part. I just drove through there on my way back from California yesterday. ~ j///b

Lee said...

Did you see the fire in the sky in Colorado, Cliff?

Sounds like you had a good trip, but it's always nice to get back home again...there's no place like home!

Happy Easter to you and yours, Cliff!

Lucy Stern said...

Sounds like a wonderful trip, Cliff...