Trip to Connecticut and Rhode Island to see My Navy Mom and Sailor for the week of the Air Show

We started our journey around 11 pm on Tuesday night so we could get there Wednesday by Noon. I didn't realize that half my trip was going to be in West Virginia. Talk about Mountains.. Oh My... I dont drive to well at night as it is, let alone mountains... I made quite a few pit stops along the way so I could get my vision bearings straight.. Alot of construction.. We got to the Maryland/W.Va state line around 430 am to see the sun rise. I had to get in to the back of my truck to get some jackets.

When we left KY it was almost 90 still at night, and got to Maryland it was 43. MY TAIL GATE FELL off right into my hands.. middle of the night.. Nobody around but My daughter and I. I should of KNOWN this was going to be the begining of some weird events that day... I called my husband.. He had no clue what to do.. Called my dad.. he suggested i go knocking on doors of semi's to see if I could get help. Low and behold as I was begining my trip down the hill, a little old man came around the bend. I ran up to his truck and pleaded for help with my tail gate.. He helped us out and to find out he was retired Navy.. Can we say God was watching out for my daughter and I? Here is a pic of That stop.

We then headed on in towards the North.. Nobody told me Maryland was mountains.. Nobody told me the mountains continued all the way through CT/RI. Lets just say I hate MOUNTAIN driving.. We go almost to NYC when I realized my GPS decided to go Funky on me.. It took me through the Heart of NYC and OVER the GW Bridge... Lets just say I have a phobia of bridges... My heart is pounding and then i get up to a toll booth and realize I have NO cash on me... The generous young man took my information and told me they would send me a bill for the 8.00. I was so nervous at this point I could of cared less.. What could they of done? made me turn around in thosuands of cars behind me.. I dont think so.. So here we go OFF on the bridge on the TOP none the less... I was going an average of 20 mph on the bridge with cars whipping by me doing twice and three times that speed...

THEN we somehow took a wrong turn OFF the bridge and ended up in the Bronx... Mind you.. I grew up in the Sub's of Detroit.... BUT I had my daughter with me and wasn't to thrilled about being LOST in the Bronx.... She decided to take out the camera and wa snapping picutres.. lol

By this time I was a shakin' and a weeping'... We got through NYC and headed through Greenwich.. HAD to stop and take potty break.... From then on we were getting cut off, flipped off and cussed at cause I was driving SOOO slow! We got close to the submarine base and talked to Aaron and his PT buddy, THEY told me to get off of exit 82.. Follow the loopey loop around the bridge and the base is at the end of the bridge... I DONT THINK SO.. We ended up at Burlington Coat factory and asked this Nice Older lady how to get to the base.. she beemed with Pride to tell me she was not only a NAVY brat growing up, but her father was a Subbie and her Husband was retired Navy Officer.. I was ELATED.. So we got BACK on 95 and got off of exit 86. Went to the light and then our next problem arose.. I was with the understanding I was getting ON the base.. Aaron texts me and tells me WHAT EVER YOU DO DON"T GO THROUGH THE GATES.. I'm like OK... So I whip out into traffic and pull into the Parts Store thinking that past the light is the gate/guards.. Call him really quick and find out To keep on going down that road and pick him up ACCROSS the street from the gates.... We finally got there at 230 pm. Only took us around 16 hours to get there lol We picked up Aaron and Checked in to the Navy Lodge.. I would DEFINITLY recommend the Navy Lodge to all who go to the Groton Base. It was EXTREMELY nice.. I was very impressed. Well worth the money.. Then While Ariel and I got ready for Mystic Pizza... Aaron took in his Natural State...

We went on to Mystic Pizza and got back to the hotel around 9ish? maybe 10ish... I was out like a light... We got up the next morning and proceeded to Kayla's house to pick her and Chelsea up for the "CHELSEA Tour" of The haunted places and rocky ledges and the Ocean that day.. We first made a pit stop to see my MOMMA BEARRRRRR... What a joyous meeting!!! Our first stop was to Mercy Brown's Grave. My daughter is facinated with Vampires aka Twilighter.. heehee We went there but then she chickened out to have her pic taken next to the grave site... So Chel's and Ariel Stood on the outside of the grave site.. LOOK closely at the pic behind Chels.. CREEPYYYY

Our next was to Alicia's to see and meet her.. Wonderful Wonderful Momma! We love your farm even though your emu's growled at us.. Seen what you where having for dinner this thanksgiving.. But tis ok... We loved the peacocks... Such a blessing!!

We proceeded to a beach where Kayla found these UNIQUE shells all attached to themselves... As I was holding them, I could of SWORN they moved... But No, they were all still intact, Picked up some more shells and drift wood very beautiful spot. I placed them inside the door of my Sport Trac so I wouldn't lose any of the treasure I picked up.. Free Souviners.. You can't beat that! Especially the UNIQUE 3 shells that Kayla found!!

We then went on to a Lighthouse that ws in the process of being remodeled. I believe it was the countries 3rd oldest Lighthouse... Don't quote me... It was breathtaking! We took pictures of the water lapping up on to the rocky ledges.. It was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen! Even beat out a sunrise on the Beach in Daytona.

We then procceeded to the Veterans War Memorial of Rhode Island and went to the Navy/Submarine monuments... Speachless and a sense of Euphoria washed over me.. I felt a special tug to this because of my Son being a Subbie.. We stopped and took pictures and The Engraving on the monument is readable in the Picture.. For this I am happy.

We then procced over to a haunted Insane Asylum and kayla and Ariel stayed in the truck while Chelsea and I walked around and snapped some pictures.. I didn't want to say anything at the time.. but it was very erie and spooky... I had the chills the whole time I was there... I was hoping to see something in the windows and such.. but nope.. nothing.. but one thing did strike me as odd... if the building was no longer in use why was there a new AERIAL antenna on top and the top door wide open? Befuddles me..

We then proceeded back towards the house for the nights events.. We were going to be at Kayla's for her Girls Game Night.. Then I found out what a "dels" was.. .lemme tell you.. I had ONE every single day we were there... lol yummmmmmyyyyy

Creamy, yet icy yet chunky with lemons.. sweet yet tart.. YUMMMMMMMM We had a blast playing trivial Pursiut 80's.. Such a blast.. I know understand what "family" game night at cheryl's means... lol

I was so elated by this point to have gotten to spend time with my Momma bear and her Little cubs...

But I was also dead tired on my feet lol We had to get up early the next morning to set up for the Air show... We get up and moving and got to the air show.. We set up, kicked back a bit and watched the practice and show that was being put on for the Make A wish Foundation.. What an event!!! Ariel got to meet one of the Blue Angel's themselves and the C-130 Pilot for Fat Albert.. She was in such Uniform Heaven.. The Officers Class also attended and she couldn't pass on the chance to be photo'd with a man in a uniform.. I've taught her well lol rofl

We left then to go pick up Aaron from the base... It took him quite a long time lol He couldn't find his Cover so he went uniformless lol That's my son! We got to Cheryl's and was up waaayyy past midnight.. Couldn't help it.... Love Cheryl, Auntie Deb, Paul and Chel's so very much... With out them.. This trip wouldn't of happened.. So grateful.. I owe you all a Kidney! We got up the next morning and caravaned to the Air show.. We had a blast.. it was hot.. it was sweaty.. but it is what is is.. Isn't it Momma bear?? That night Cheryl rode with me.. We opened the truck door and OMG the smell was awlful!!!!!!! Smelled like a clam bake in my truck.. Cheryl looks inside the door of the truck.. WE COOKED GARY!!!!!!!! Remember Those UNIQUE shells.. um er ah well.. they were clams... ALIVE.. I knew they moved..... YUCK GROSS GAG GAG lol BUT We had a good time! The kids got to meet the lead pilot for the Canadian Snow birds and got their picture taken with them and I got to meet alot more Navy Mom's from here... On Sunday the Raptor BROKE the sound barrier.. what a joyous site to see! We got to meet more of the Navy Blue Angels flight crews and pilots. I was honored to have met a wonderful woman who has served 40 years in the Navy and is still going strong. Captain MJ (no last names per opsec) We had such a wonderful time. She was such a blessing to us and all those who she came into contact with. I felt very honored to have met her and to say "I know Captain So. So" She was an inspiration to my daughter that has Autism. My daughter knows she will not be able at this time to enlist in the Navy, but gave her hope and determination to maybe one day fight and try to get a waiver for the Aspergers once she gets her college degree. My son's admiration for the Captain is beyond words. Thank You once again Captain for serving this wonderful country we call the United States of America. She was the senior ranking officer attending the event for the Navy. If you have ever had a chance to meet her, you would understand when I say.. GIRL POWER.

It was such an emotional time and event to have met all the officers, blue angels, canadian snow birds and the other military branches. The USO graciously also attended the event and was a blessing for us on Friday... Thank You for what you do for our service men and women here and abroad. You are a vital asset to them. They remained there through out the event and was truely a blessing..... Thank You once again for all who attended and for all who helped Cheryl make this event possible... OH on a funny Note... That is aaron in the Plant looking suit! he spent majority of his time running around the public areas meeting and greeting people, and had his photo taken through out the events without a single complaint. Enjoyed every minute of it!

PLEASE NOTE: ALL UNIFORMED ENLISTED MILITARY PERSONNEL WAS ASKED PERMISSION FOR PHOTOS. ALSO QUESTIONED NAMES ON OPESEC. THE APPROPRIATE NAMES HAVE BEEN OMMITED. ALL RIGHTS TO PHOTO BELONGS TO THE SPONGE. NO OPSEC VIOLATIONS PER UNIFORMED PERSONNEL HAVE BEEN MADE.