Billntwrk
06-14-04, 11:39 AM
Greetings Friends,
It is monday and I am returning to my real life. I have not been to the ship in over 30 hours.
Looks like we will exceed 23,000 visitors for the 7 day period ending yesterday. These numbers are soft and my estimate only. When exact numbers are availiable I will pass them to Buzz for inclusion in his postings. We had several mnor glitches but handled everything with typical Midway flair and class. Even volunteers with no association to the ship beyond their volunteer status now know what Midway Magic means.
Buzz and Family, Troy should be at the Airport starting their trip home so tomorrow might see updates on their website.
Rigthebarricade is home in Sacramento. It is my understanding that he had a great time as well.
AS I have mentioned in previous postings, I will let Buzz and Troy speak for them selves. I just know both had their expectaions realized. To say that their visit was over the top would be an understatement.
Troy, Buzz, Vic Vydra and I got together one final time last night. We sat pool side at Buzz's hotel and had one final Shit Shooters gazette session. We ended the evening with a group hug and said our good bye's knowing that we may not see each other for a year or more but promised continued contact via phones and email. :thumbsup:
Before I forget, I want all of you to know that you can contact me via email. If you plan on getting out to SAn Diego, email me and I will show you around the ship myself.
Buzz, Troy et. al. can attest, We have a pretty good looking museum. We also have a firm handle on the lock down procedures. Thru Troy's diligent work as a volunteer, we I.D.'d a couple soft spots that have been or soon will be corrected. Trust me when I say this, Please do not think you will have unfettered access. This week we saw many old vets that thought access was a devine right for former Midway Sailors. This could not be farther from the truth. Areas that are locked or wired shut are done so because those areas are still dangerous.
Pete Clayton is getting ready to crank up restoration efforts now that opening week is in the books. Volunteer Steve Johnson has started restoration of the Aft Emergency Gen space just off the Aft Mess Decks. Note, This guy is a volunteer machine! Steve has logged more volunteer hours than anyone. I can say this based upon my own observation. No one, repeat, no one has logged more hours on the ship. He has finished #3 ENG. :thumbsup: We just need to map out the access route to the space.
Private gatherings continue to be a huge hit with the local community. Just one month ago, I would dread the arrival of Crusie ships because it was heartbreaking to tell the Crusie Ship visitors that we were closed. Now that we are open, we expect to pick up significant numbers of visitors from these vessels that stop for a day.
Before I close, let me just offer this tip. WHen you get to San Diego, have your driving directions mapped out. Goto www.MIDWAY.org . There you will see a link somewhere that will help you map out your route or give tourism info for the county of S.D.
I can tell you this. Eagle03 family went to the ship, S.D. Zoo and Seaworld. We also have several Indian Casinos with in 45 minutes drive (Farthest casion from the ship. Several with in 20 minutes drive), a Brand New Ball Park only minutes away and a vibrant, busteling down town with shopping, restaurants and cultural attractions (Theaters, Museums, Galleries).
Going to step away from the forum for the next few days and catch my breath now.
Billntwrk Sends
Billntwrk@yahoo.com
It is monday and I am returning to my real life. I have not been to the ship in over 30 hours.
Looks like we will exceed 23,000 visitors for the 7 day period ending yesterday. These numbers are soft and my estimate only. When exact numbers are availiable I will pass them to Buzz for inclusion in his postings. We had several mnor glitches but handled everything with typical Midway flair and class. Even volunteers with no association to the ship beyond their volunteer status now know what Midway Magic means.
Buzz and Family, Troy should be at the Airport starting their trip home so tomorrow might see updates on their website.
Rigthebarricade is home in Sacramento. It is my understanding that he had a great time as well.
AS I have mentioned in previous postings, I will let Buzz and Troy speak for them selves. I just know both had their expectaions realized. To say that their visit was over the top would be an understatement.
Troy, Buzz, Vic Vydra and I got together one final time last night. We sat pool side at Buzz's hotel and had one final Shit Shooters gazette session. We ended the evening with a group hug and said our good bye's knowing that we may not see each other for a year or more but promised continued contact via phones and email. :thumbsup:
Before I forget, I want all of you to know that you can contact me via email. If you plan on getting out to SAn Diego, email me and I will show you around the ship myself.
Buzz, Troy et. al. can attest, We have a pretty good looking museum. We also have a firm handle on the lock down procedures. Thru Troy's diligent work as a volunteer, we I.D.'d a couple soft spots that have been or soon will be corrected. Trust me when I say this, Please do not think you will have unfettered access. This week we saw many old vets that thought access was a devine right for former Midway Sailors. This could not be farther from the truth. Areas that are locked or wired shut are done so because those areas are still dangerous.
Pete Clayton is getting ready to crank up restoration efforts now that opening week is in the books. Volunteer Steve Johnson has started restoration of the Aft Emergency Gen space just off the Aft Mess Decks. Note, This guy is a volunteer machine! Steve has logged more volunteer hours than anyone. I can say this based upon my own observation. No one, repeat, no one has logged more hours on the ship. He has finished #3 ENG. :thumbsup: We just need to map out the access route to the space.
Private gatherings continue to be a huge hit with the local community. Just one month ago, I would dread the arrival of Crusie ships because it was heartbreaking to tell the Crusie Ship visitors that we were closed. Now that we are open, we expect to pick up significant numbers of visitors from these vessels that stop for a day.
Before I close, let me just offer this tip. WHen you get to San Diego, have your driving directions mapped out. Goto www.MIDWAY.org . There you will see a link somewhere that will help you map out your route or give tourism info for the county of S.D.
I can tell you this. Eagle03 family went to the ship, S.D. Zoo and Seaworld. We also have several Indian Casinos with in 45 minutes drive (Farthest casion from the ship. Several with in 20 minutes drive), a Brand New Ball Park only minutes away and a vibrant, busteling down town with shopping, restaurants and cultural attractions (Theaters, Museums, Galleries).
Going to step away from the forum for the next few days and catch my breath now.
Billntwrk Sends
Billntwrk@yahoo.com