Fleet Week San Francisco 2008 (Oct9 - 14)

One hundred years ago, in May 1908, 16 US Navy battleships with dozens of escorts and 14,000 sailors entered San Francisco Bay. Called the "Great White Fleet" because the ships were painted white, the fleet remained in San Francisco for two months, departing in July for Hawaii and the remainder of its 14-month cruise around the world. This was San Francisco's first parade of Ships and first Fleet "Week". One of the objectives of the Great White Fleet's voyage was to ensure that Americans were aware of the reasons for having a strong and capable Navy and to let them see those capabilities first hand. This objective still resonates 100 years later and provides the primary rationale for our annual Fleet Week celebration.

For 2008 the participation of the USS Bonhomme Richard, an amphibious assault carrier and the US Navy Blue Angels give Americans the opportunity to honor the men and women currently serving in the US and allied armed forces, particularly in the United States Navy, and Marines. To learn about their character and skill, and the pride with which they carry out their duties.

The Gym - No Pain No Gain

'My body is a temple' - Brian Oct 2008 CA

Well the idea was whilst out here it would be a crime not to take full advantage of the seering Californian sunshine and get my self in trim. So it was time to join a gym and what a gym I have joined.

LifeStyleRx® is a state of the art medically based fitness center designed to meet the needs of everyone. LifeStyleRx includes 69,000 square feet of cardiovascular and strength training areas, indoor multi-purpose gymnasium, walking track, 3 swimming pools (one indoor), sauna, steam rooms and jacuzzis, 4 group exercise studios, and a healing garden.

View Virtual Tour

Impressive to say the least this is what all gyms should be like. I took one glance at the individual 60kg dumbells and was sold...where do I sign up ma'am? (actually her names Caroline)

It's a fantastic walk back home too when the Californian sun is setting in the evening.

Destination San Francisco

The alarm clock rudely awakes me, ..omg it's 3.30am. I've only had 2 hours sleep having spent the previous evening at the RoeBuck Inn with the guys doing the pub quiz (which we won...again).

It's officially day one on my big adventure to the US of A.
Leeds/Bradford airport to Heathrow was quick and the transfer to Virgin Atlantic plane was trouble free, oh yes got frisked again I must just look like a terrorist.

The flight with Virgin Atlantic as usual was outstanding. Service, food, entertainment excellent. Inflight film watched was 'You don't mess with the Zohan' starring Adam Sandler - very very funny.

Was a tad dissapointed that the Dallas Cowboys Chearleadrs weren,t seated next me nor on my flight *sigh maybe next time. Poor little kiddy infront of me did puke as we landed, served him right for eating all that ice cream hehe.

Was grilled in customs for about 10 minutes re my situation of being unemployed yet coming over with several thousands of dollars and staying 2 months. What part of I'm 40 years old and have managed to save some money throughout my working life didn't the passport official understand??

Strange thing is no one mentions anything about my suitacse being half full of Galaxy and Terry's chocolates, Oxo cubes, Huggies bed mats and Bisto's chip shop curry...go figure :)

Total travelling time from Leeds to San Francisco was 14 hours. Phil met me at the airport with his new ??stylish look; unshaven grey beard and he has obviously lost some weight too, his face is looking a little thin and gaunt. He looks like a man in dire need of an 'In n out' burger :). It's great to see him again though.

Hello San Fran I am Brian ... 'the eagle has landed', I repeat 'the eagle has landed!'