So it was Fleet Week in San Francisco once again. The last time I ventured to the city to see some sailors and some Blue Angels- it was in 2003. It was way too crowded and we stood in line for hours trying to get a ticket to get on a ship and they gave out all the tickets before we even got one.
However- I was in San Francisco on the Thursday before Fleet Week began and the Blue Angels were practicing and that made me want to venture back for Fleet Week. So I went with my Mom and Rose on Sunday Oct 12th. We left way too early…I got a wake up call about 15 mins before we left. Can’t a Girl get any Beauty Sleep?
Leaving super early has it’s advantages. We got a great parking spot right on the wharf- we were able to watch all the sailors and marines set up their booths- we got Navy pins and Navy ear plugs from one generous sailor booth dude- and we got in line to get on a ship at pier 32- which was like a 92 mile hike down the Embarcadero. While standing in line to get on the USS Pinckney- it was like a wind tunnel in the cold Artic circle. And we stood there for about 45 minutes. I still have the cold and the runny nose to prove it.
The USS Pinckney (DDG 91)
Rose really liked our guide Officer David R-Something or the Other-Co. At least I think his name was David. Maybe Not. Rose???? Anyways- we got a nice tour of the ship and we got to pretty much touch everything in the bridge- the Navy is really trusting of the every day citizen. Because we were like kids in a candy store! WOOOO-HOOOO! Let’s pretend to drive the ship! My mom wanted to use the Red Phone but we didn’t really let her. Just In Case. And we all sat in the Captain’s chair. Rose wanted a photo op with our tour guide and so after much thought and photo envy- I too took my photo with the Mister.
Me and the Mister
After our tour of the ship- I bought a USS Pinckney shirt for $10! They really should have charged more- but we all bought something because it was all so inexpensive and we felt like we were supporting them in a way. We then hiked back to Pier 39 and by this point- the streets were packed with people. And that meant so were the restaurants. We got in line at Bubba Gumps but we got lucky and snagged a bar table. While we were finishing up- we heard the loud BOOM! of jets over head and we thought we were missing the Blue Angels.
But as we were walking back to our car- we actually saw the Blue Angels in the distance past the Golden Gate Bridge! So we stuck around and watched the Blue Angels for awhile. It is so exhilarating to watch them. They are Bad Ass. Around this time my mom thought she was going to pass out or something so Rose got her a Coke and we sat her in the corner. You will be glad to know she didn’t pass out.
When we were trying to leave the wharf area- we realized our super close parking spot sucked ass big time. People were camped out in the actual parking lot like they were tail gating watching the air show. The Police blocked off streets. People were rudely walking through the streets so our cars couldn’t move. Rose and I started yelling out the windows. My Mom actually honked at people. Well Done. It took us a hour and half to make it to a freeway to get out of the city. And as we drove away from Fleet Week frustrated- we all vowed never again will we go back to Fleet Week. That is- until next year….
Me, my Mom & Dad
