Sea Story Thursday, where I tell you a Navy related Story, just because.

How Sea Story Thursday was born:

My Uncle & Dad. That’s the plain and simple reason. While on leave they both kept bringing up stories I had told them over the past few years at sea. My Uncle told me that he loved to tell my stories to anyone who would listen. hmmmm… I’ve got plenty more where that came from, maybe I’ll make it a weekly rendition. Done!

Come morning, after a night out gallivanting in Lisbon, we were underway and sailing towards the Straits of Gibraltar. This would be my 3rd time transiting, and I was excited to see that old rock again.

Goodbye San Fransisco! But wait, is that San Francisco? Gotcha. That’s the 25 de Abril of Lisbon Portugal looks just like Golden Gate Bridge.

We’re headed right for it. Going to go underneath.

Heyyy. From Cassey & Amanda.

Here. We. Go.

And that was that. We are underway and on our way to Italy. Which is only a couple day transit, mind you.

STRAITS OF GIBRALTAR

I hate to break it to you but I don’t have a clear picture of “The Rock” which is a bit sad. I barely could see it through the clouds, so of course my camera didn’t capture it.

Alas, at least it’s a beautiful day outside and the sun is shining. A bit windy, but still a nice day.

Trying not to blow over the railing.

There’s Something on the Wing. Some. Thing.

Since it’s so recent, this picture actually reminds me of Star Wars. The landscape with the odd shaped radars on deck.

Oh Hey Guys. There’s about to be a pinning ceremony. The most junior officer in all of Sixth Fleet just got her IP pin. Say what?

The only ensign at our command, how is that even a thing?

Getting a pin is kind of a big deal so everyone stopped by that didn’t have something going on.
Line it up and shake hands.

What happened that evening you ask?

A steel beach picnic! I’m sure you can guess why it’s called that.

Headed to the top deck as we drifted on the surface of the water, there was no wind, just chatter and the smell of the BBQ on the grill.

Looking back, you can see the helo on the flight deck.

Closer.

Grill masters, they have to be when they are grilling for about 600 people.

Really pretty day outside, eh?
Over at the food line you can choose between dogs or sliders (that would be burgers, when you put them on the grill of a rocking ship they slide around, get it?)

Picnic for champions. Mostly excited about those cookies.

As we were eating dinner, pies started flying. As a fundraiser for the ship, you could put money down to pie people in the face. It was pretty entertaining.

Someone over there on the right is getting go pro footage.

Back on the flight deck, a game of corn hole was going on.

Flight deck photos!

A great back drop for some photos, honestly.

So many photos, I just couldn’t seem to choose this time.

Scott’s remembering that time he was almost a pilot. I’m joking.

We were out on the flight deck as the sun started to set.

More and more people came to stand with us for the perfect view as we silently floated on the water.

A circle of Junior Officers can only mean one thing. Scheming. Turns out we didn’t know about that pie thing that was going on and it was important that we pie somebody for our entertainment. A quick poll for money and we were in business in minutes.

Originally the plan was to pie a captain that we knew but business prevailed so we decided to turn the whole thing around on the only ensign.

The damage has been done!

Don’t worry, the guy who did the pie throwing got his dew.

Just in time for us to walk back to the flight deck, as the sun was actually setting.

Sporting that OCS sweatshirt!

Karl & Khal shaking hands. The final moment I captured of the Steel Beach Picnic. After the sun set that sped up the boat and the winds forced us all inside the hatches.

The exercise continued on and a couple days later we found ourselves pulling into the Mount Whitney’s home port and we were back in Italy. Time for some fun!

When we were safely back on the pier, we were lined up and ready to get off so we could catch the bus back to Naples. As I walked towards the road I turned back for one last photo.

Off to the weekend! Peace.

This article appeared first on the Cassey Excursion.