USS Freedom

We watched the USS Freedom leave the docks for the first time today starting it's sea trials. The USS Freedom (LCS-1) is the first Navy ship of it's kind. A LCS is a Littoral Combat Ship. Connect HERE to learn more. The USS Freedom was first scheduled to leave around 5:30 CDT this morning but it wasn't until 2:00 this afternoon until the tugs finely pulled it away from the docks. The USS Freedom is 329 feet long, 43 feet wide, draws 12.8 feet of water, has the same engines as the DC-10 airliner and will go from 0 to 40 knots in 90 seconds.

Chamber's Island Cruise

Barb and I cruised our boat to Chambers Island Bay today with a group of two other boaters for a day of sun and fun on the beach. Once there we backed into about 3 1/2 feet of water, dropped anchor and rafted with the other two boats for the rest of the afternoon. I got in the water for awhile. It was cold but once in for a few minutes it wasn't bad. Barb set on the swim deck with her feet in the water. There were probably 30 other boats out there doing the same thing this afternoon.

After we got back to the marina there was a party going on. The marina owners held a 4th of July party for the slip holders and guest which had already got underway shortly before we returned from today's trip.