I am pleased to announce the first in-person Naval Gazing meetup for nearly three years. As you'd probably expect, my first stop is going to be Iowa, and I plan to host a meetup there on Saturday, July 10th. We'll start at 1000 when the ship opens, although I can't say how late I expect things to go. We are going to get to do the turret tour after all. It's $50/person, although if that's going to be a deal-breaker let me know and I'll see if I can do something. If we want to keep going after that, maybe we go to Fort MacArthur and inspect COASTAL DEFENSES!
I'll be there when the ship opens, wearing a green hat with the Naval Gazing logo. Will update as I learn more.
Comments
Sounds like a good time. Unfortunately I won't be joining you, since Canadian quarantine requirements would make it a real pain to get back into Canada. Next year!
Great Job Bean. I'm with the northern neighbor, will not make it but think it's really cool you do this for everyone. Enjoy the Iowa.
If you ever do the New Jersey, let me know. I can definitely make that one.
Interestingly, there's a very good chance that I'll be in Philadelphia later this year, although the meetup will probably be on Olympia instead of New Jersey. I'm selfish with new battleships.
@Bean
Definitely let us know if you are going to be visiting the Olympia as we would drive over to join that one. I have wanted to link it to other Philly business I have been letting slip. Also wanted to get over to the other side of the river and see the NJ. Figure it has to be a better tour than the Alabama.
....DEFIITELY let me know if you ever want to set anything up at Patriots Point in Charleston SC (YORKTOWN CV-10, LAFFEY DD- 724) or The Immortal Showboat (NORTH CAROLINA BB-55) at Wilmington NC. Showboat is in amazing shape and they love groups.
Mike
Both of those are on my to-do list at some point, hopefully soon now that I can start traveling again. But probably not this year.
Very exciting, I plan to attend.
I too would be interested in you're ever in the area for Olympia or Jersey.
Now that GPS-III SV05 has launched on schedule, I can commit to the 10th. See you all there!
Sounds interesting, will check my schedule.
Is there a hotel nearby that anybody could recommend? I've not been to LA as an adult and would prefer to stay close, but not in a bad part of town either.
I'll be there as well, probably coming in Friday morning.
Sorry for the lack of updates on this. I'm still trying to get someone on the battleship to respond to my attempts to organize a turret tour. (Unfortunately, my best contact was a casualty of the COVID layoffs.) We may just do the normal tour and then lunch.
Turret tour is on! Details in the OP, because I'm on mobile.
Have fun!
Hope you guys have a good time! Wish I could make it to that side of the country.
The meetup yesterday seemed to go very well. Thanks to John, CatCube and Randy for spending most of the day running around the ship. We got to see even more than expected, and I have a couple of new picture posts planned. The turret was cool, and I look forward to the next one.