Monday, January 18, 2016

Mayport Navy Base

Did you know we visit the Mayport Navy Base 3-4 times a week? You may be wondering why - and the answer is simple - it is because that is where our favorite beach is (and where we can watch the big ships coming and going) Being a Navy Base the beach section is also not open to the general public - so it tends to be quiet and most of the time - empty. Mom has never felt comfortable taking photos on the actual base but we stopped and chatted with the security guards today and asked if was okay and they said so long at was at a distance it was fine. (They also gave some wonderful ear skritches - sigh) Mom also checked if it was okay the take pics of the big ships and they said YES :)

Now what you may not know is Mayport Navy Base is one of main bases for refitting ships so all the ships you see below are in having work done on them. Because the Navy Base is at the mouth of the St Johns River they also have tight water security as this is also where all the cargo ships come in and out. ALL ships are 'escorted' past the base by these small escort boats but don't let their size fool you - they are super fast and well armed. We see them all the time doing their patrols and escorting ships past the base. Mom apologizes she doesn't know all the names of the ships - we couldn't see their names or numbers from where we were except for number 43 which is the USS Fort McHenry.
Hey Reilly are we are escorting the escort ?
Air Craft Carrier being refitted
USS Fort McHenry
Lots of ships :)


23 comments:

  1. That must be a very interesting beach to walk on!
    Dip and Elliot x

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  2. WOW! We would love to go there and just sit and watch!

    Keep Calm & Bark On!

    Murphy & Stanley

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  3. Love extra ear rubs. What a cool beach.

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  4. Wow! We love seeing all the big ships! Thanks for posting these great photos!

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  5. Y'all need some sailor hats.

    Aroo to you,
    Sully

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  6. OMD and AIR CRAFT CARRIER....OUR DAD was on the BIG E... (Enterprise..butt not the one from Star Trek) during Viet Nam.
    We are so glad that you got BOTH Scritches and Pawmission to show us these ships. We shared the pics with DAD, BTW... it made him Smile.

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  7. Such an exciting place to visit. Those are really cool ships!

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  8. I have always enjoyed watching big ships from shore - both Navy ships as well as passenger ships.

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  9. That is so cool!!! I'm surprised the SPs didn't ask to have their pictures taken with you!
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Thatcher

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  10. What an interesting beach. Lots to see and learn about.

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  11. Nice of them to allow you to take photos! Maybe you two can be honorary sailors?

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  12. How cool! Those boats are ginormous
    Lily & Edward

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  13. What an awesome place to hang out! The ships are HUGE!

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  14. You sure did get close!!! hope it was fun!

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  15. That must have been so very awesome!!
    Smileys!
    Dory, Jakey, Arty & Bilbo

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  16. Those ships look enormous! I'm glad that you were able to get some military ear skritches!

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  17. OMD, they are so very big, huh?! What a FABulous time you guys must have! Plus, 3-4 times a week?? Lucky doggies!!!
    Kisses,
    Ruby ♥

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  18. That is so cool that you get to see those big ships and still go to the beach.


    Ziggy Out!!

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  19. Oh how exciting, you do haf a really interesting beach to patrol
    Loves and licky kisses
    Princess Leah xxx

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  20. oh that must be wonderful to have a beach like that. I probably would sit there the whole day to watch the ships.... it's great that you have a park, a beach and your own base :o)

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  21. That's really cool that you get to go see all those ships! Love Dolly

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Thank you for woofing at us - we read each and every one of them