All Hollow’s Eve

As we continue to move more and more south the weather gets colder and colder. The average temperature in Peru and Chile would now be a dream come true for us all. The drop in air temperature means a drop in the water temp which in turn makes the ship and its water harder to heat. Cold days lead to cold showers followed by a freezing nights’ sleep. Extra layers under uniforms for us all!

Ice cold showers and long underwear is the tradeoff for a once in a lifetime experience as we cruise through the Straits of Magellan at the southernmost tip of South America. Completely stunning! Snowcapped mountains on either side of us as we steam through the rocky seas. We trudge through 10-14ft swells at times with 40 knot winds. The strait is well known for being very rough as the Pacific and Atlantic currents collide. All equipment and belonging were secured for the seas, but not everything escaped unscathed. Condiments at dinner, partially prepared meals, chairs, papers, a good night’s sleep and much more met their doom.

The eerie sight of greenish water with giant looming swells traveling as fast as we were and wind whipping spray around was balanced by costumes, decorations, scary movies and trick or treating as we traveled through on Halloween. What a scene right? A bunch of grown adults in costume, trick or treating around a US naval ship on deployment… trust and believe as silly as it sounds it’s just the kind of morale booster we look forward to at this point on deployment.

We’re keeping our heads up, but as we get closer to the end it seems time creeps slower, but if I’ve learned anything in the last few years is that time will continue and this stage will end eventually. I will get home.

Replay in Chile

Our Chilean experience started out similar to a child playing with a yo-yo. Disappointment rattled the crew as we moored pier side in Valparaiso Chile, but left a handful of hours later to avoid incurring damages by a coming storm, only to loiter in circles for over a day all the while wondering if we would pull in at all.

Finally, late in the evening the following day, we anchored in their harbor and anxiously waited for morning when we could snag some R & R. However, we were unable to leave the ship until late afternoon for circumstances unknown to me. When we finally had permission to leave there was still the ‘small’ feat of departing the ship.

We were still anchored, as opposed to moored to the pier, and we had sustained damage to the ladder typically used to for getting into small boats from the ship during our anchoring evolution the night before. Instead, we used a rope ladder directly over the side of the ship. It led to a small dock about 10 steps down and finally onto a small boat which would take us to the shore. Keep in mind we were originally held up due to a storm and the sea was still a bit choppy. I looked over the side at the sight and momentarily doubted my desire to leave the ship. I enjoyed being safe and unharmed…but my need to get off the ship outweighed my fears.

Though our arrival was delayed, we still had a mission to fulfil. We headed out to sea after two days to conduct training exercise with the Chilean Navy. Our training was a huge success and I was able to have a small hand in a live fire training event with Chilean, Mexican, US Navies, and US Marines. The excitement of smooth coordination between countries and a live fire event lifted moral and gave some purpose to, what can be a mundane, daily routine here. It was a good reminder of why we are out here and/or why we joined.

We made a trip back to Chile after the organized events and our time in port was much smoother. Chile had wine, soccer, shopping, horseback riding, gorgeous views, and great food to offer.  I felt like I was at a wedding during the wine tasting tour I did. There were dancers, yummy food (lots of fresh veggies, almost a delicacy to us onboard a ship), fancy décor, and beautiful vineyards with mountains in the back ground. Also, while we were there Chile played the US in a soccer world cup qualifier for their U17 teams. Tickets were sold out, but it made for friendly banter at the local bar/restaurants.

Chile was fantastic and I wish we had more time there.  If I go back, however, I will be learning more Spanish!  A day in the city can easily turn in a stressful and unrelaxing experience with a language barrier. I am so very thankful for my Spanish speaking friends!

I got news I was an Auntie while there too! Finley Paul Johnson is beautiful and healthy. I am so excited to meet him when I visit MN in January. But one feat at a time…finish deployment out strong.

NavySpeak of the Day: Berthing; the living space where we sleep and have a bathroom. I love the end of the work day when I can head to berthing and go to sleep.