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172--California: USS Midway in San Diego @ CherieSpotting     Jan 09 2004 - 10:24 PST cherie writes: The day before the USS Midway made her final voyage, I wanted to get a closer look at the 1001-foot conventionally powered aircraft carrier. Greg eagerly joined me to help with taking photos. If you want to get a guy to do something, just mention the horsepower. Midway’s got 212,000 horsepower. That’s a lot of ponies! In “guy speak” Midway is a double whammy. It’s a ship, but it has planes on top. If it could just have a train that runs around flight-deck, it might be male-nirvana. “Have you ever been on one before?” I asked Greg. This was my first time on an aircraft carrier. “Yes, a few times.” Greg answered nonchalantly. I’m not sure why it’s important to me, but its always kind of special when an event is someone’s first. “Have you ever been on an aircraft carrier the day before its final voyage?” I asked hopefully. “No. This is the first time I’ve been on one the day before its last passage.” Greg admitted. “Good! Let’s go play!” To find out more about “Midway Magic” click on www.midway.org video [5 Megs, Windows Media] Click on each picture to see it full size. read comments (0) | write comment| views: 7028    | rated: 0.0    printer-friendly version   Cherie on the USS Midway, a 1001-foot aircraft carrier being turned into a museum in San Diego. *Photo by Greg. See that little speck with her arms in the air. That's Cherie! Cherie, smiling on a ship 10 times bigger than any ship she's been on before! *Photo by John Gastaldo. It's my first time on an aircraft carrier! *Photo by Greg. The USS Midway was launched and christened on March 29, 1945. Look at that line! *Photo by Greg. Workers prepare the USS Midway for its final voyage on January 10, 4002. A ship 1001-feet long takes a lot of paint. Cherie helps put on the final coat of paint for the aircraft carrier's last voyage. *Photo by Greg. With a maximum speed of 33 knots per hour, the USS Midway can outrun a hurricane. The mast aboard the USS Midway. Can you imagine climbing that in rough seas? The A-7 Corsair II with the San Diego skyline in the distance. Now that's what I call a chain. *Photo by Greg. The USS Midway which was 74,000 tons at decommissioning in 1992. There's the mast I climbed. I don't think you're supposed to put your finger in that hole. *Photo by Greg. The fastest planes in the world have the shortest runways. Greg by the E-2C Hawkeye, with its long range search radar. Alan Uke is the man who made everyone see the vision. After 12 years or work, and raising 14 million dollars Alan smiles as he watches his vision come to life. News crews interviewed former USS Midway Commanding Officer RADM Riley Mixson. All folded up and ready for display. Making sure the USS Midway is picture perfect. Make sure you cut the blue wire. Which one? What's in here...a fish tank? No. *Photo by Greg. Do I look like I could command a ship? Maybe a rowboat? *Photo by Greg. Just a few of the USS Midway alarms. What happens if I turn this. *Photo by Greg. Greg, with an aircraft carrier in the distance. From the deck of the USS Midway, cruise ships look like toy boats. Cherie climbs the mast. Notice the poofy red-hair sticking out of the metal. *Photo by Greg. Greg plays with a machine that probably looked futuristic 50-years-ago. Cherie with the USS Midway crest. *Photo by Greg. Cherie with USS Midway's Commanding Officer from 1985-1987--RADM Riley Mixson. He let me call him Admiral Riley. *Photo by Greg. I'm ready for the final voyage on January 10! *Photo by Greg. Joe Ciokon, the head coach for the US Navy Judo Team. That's one magicical ship with 47 years of history. The USS Midway has a crew of 4500 and is conventionally powered with 212,000 horsepower. That's a lot of people and a lot of horses. *Photo by Greg. My view as I climbed up the USS Midway's mast. Looking down from the USS Midway's mast. (That's why they say: "Always look up.") That little guy in the left hand corner of the photo is thinking: What is that lady doing on top of the mast?