Ship Yard Treat + New Quarters

We spent about ten days in the Navy Lodge aboard Naval Station San Diego.
It sits right across the street from the General Dynamics Shipyard.
For a long time, we just saw that as a source of noise but on our last day, we saw them moving a section of a ship into position! It's kind of like the way they build airplanes, they build large sections in shops and then move them into position for final welding! We happened to glance out the window and see these two huge yard cranes moving this section down through the yard toward the ship. This section is probably 40-50 feet across, 25 feet tall and 30 feet on length. I'm guessing it weighs a lot! These two crane operators have obviously been doing this a while - no swaying or backing up. From the time they picked up the piece until it was in position was maybe two hours! Pretty phenomenal! We plan on attending a ship launching at this yard at the end of the month - might even be this ship!?




The Navy Lodge was nice but cramped. This photo pretty much showed what we had to work with. the bed is only a couple of feet from the wall. Like I said - Snug!


While walking around base, we checked out the Visitor's Quarters and inquired about getting a room in the VOQ - Visiting Officer's Quarters (Bachelor Officer Quarters or BOQ for you old salts). They said we were eligible for a VIP suite (much to our surprise!) so we booked one.
They called back in a few days and explained they had misfiled a reservation from a Captain and could not honor our reservation. The manager personally called around and found us a two room suite at nearby Naval Air Station North Island (now Naval Base Coronado). So we moved on Saturday.

The bedroom is about the same size as the Navy Lodge but the bed is much more comfortable!


But the living room is just as large and very nicely appointed.


And, there is a kitchenette . . .


And a sizable head/shower/dressing area connecting the bedroom and living room.
I could get used to this!
We are here for a week after which the VQ Manager at NAVSTA has scheduled us to go into their best (four room) VIP Suite! So we'll move again next Saturday.


This afternoon, we'll drive up to LaJolla to tour the Birch Aquarium at Sripps on the campus of University of California at San Diego (UCSD). We'll eat in LaJolla after the Aquarium closes at 5 then return at 6:30 for a lecture on the ocean currents!