Dec 14 2016

A Casual Fan’s Review of Star Wars Rogue One

Star Wars Rogue One was a satisfying and entertaining addition to the series. And this is coming from a casual fan of the franchise.

Star Wars Rogue One Beach battle — This was no easy beach battle.

I had the pleasure of being invited by the Disney PR team for an advanced screening. Myself and about a dozen other journalists in the empty movie theater were clearly instructed to wait until after the embargo to publish our review.

And under no circumstances to reveal any spoilers.

Star Wars Rogue One Official Trailer

Soooo…

Let me just say that there might be a small spoiler in this video review.

I don’t think it’s a spoiler but my son says it is. I mention a detail but I never say what’s going to actually happen so technically, it’s not a spoiler.

If you want to avoid it, just fast forward past 3:28 in the video. (Listen! My last movie review was 6 months ago so maybe I’m a little rusty. Forgive me.)

As soon as the movie starts, you’ll see the first difference while we are on the opening shot of outer space.

Watch the video to hear more about the movie and my non-technical laywoman’s review. Oh! And if you want to see a list of all the characters that don’t get mentioned, just go to the source here.

Star Wars Rogue One review:

Did you see the movie yet? Leave a comment and let me know what you think.

K230 Droid from Star Wars Rogue One — K230 was hilarious.

If you haven’t, what are you most excited about seeing?

Dec 05 2016

A non-Minivan Driver’s 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Review #DrivePacifica

This review of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is a compensated sponsored campaign with FCA US. However, all photos and opinions expressed within are my own.

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica has made me fall in love with a minivan!

I never thought I would do it. Never. Ever. But I am smitten. Before I get into the nitty gritty of this Limited edition’s details here’s a sneak peek why:

Backstory on the Chrysler Pacifica

You may remember the Chrysler Pacifica as a mid-size crossover. I know I do.

The very first Pacifica I saw was back in 2005. My husband had a friend who owned one.

I remember thinking how advanced it seemed with its interior features. And how I had a tinge of buyer’s remorse having just purchased my own crossover before seeing the Pacifica.

It was sleek then, and even in its new form, it’s sleek now. I love sleek cars.

In 2008, they stopped producing the Pacifica, re-introducing it this year as a luxury minivan.

Can I just say, although I’m far from a minivan mom, I’m in love.

Chrysler Front grille — The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica in Granite Crystal Metallic.

Fuel Economy on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica

At 22 combined city/hwy miles per gallon, I got a lot of mileage out of a tank of gas. Two separate school drop-offs back and forth, two grocery store trips, intermittent errands, and a drive to see a friend in D.C. were all achieved on 1 tank of gas.

It was a lot of driving but thankfully, the Pacifica is a smooth ride.

Side view of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica — Very sleek look and a smooth drive. Is it bad that I try to find the reflection of the car in a window as I’m passing by to see how we look? LOL! Anyone else do that?

Guess what? That driving is gonna go even further.

Fiat Chrysler North America just announced in a press release that they’ve finished production of the industry’s first electric minivan with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.

With a full tank of gas, I drove roughly 380 miles in this 3.6L V6 24V VVT engine with 9-speed FWD automatic transmission. With a 16-kWh lithium ion battery and a full tank of fuel,Tim Kuniskis, head of passenger car brands estimates drivers will get 566 miles out of the hybrid Pacifica.

Whether hybrid or traditional, you get a nice amount of driving out of a tank of gas with the Pacifica. Perfect for any busy traveling mom (or dad).

Winter has no home in the 2017 Pacifica

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Heated Wheel — Two-toned leather interior complete with heated steering wheel that takes all of 2.1 seconds to warm up!

Every part of your body will keep warm in this car. And when it’s hot outside, you have the option of ventilated seats.

Oh! And the heated features aren’t only for the driver and front passenger.

2017 chrylser pacifica — My oldest reclining in the rear enjoying the warmth.

My 12-year old jumps in the front seat of our regular car because he wants that heated seat comfort. In the Pacifica, he can get it no matter where he sits.

Front, middle or back row.

The features in the Pacifica are a glimpse into the future of cars.

From the lane-correct feature to the dial gear shift, this vehicle makes me feel kinda old. Well, it definitely makes my normal ride look like we’re still rolling in the stone ages.

This is how you shift into gear.

Chrysler Pacifica Steering — Turn dial gear shift on the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica is like whoa! Totally different

Sensors all around the car keep you “aware” of your surroundings. The Blind Spot and Cross Path Detection feature works VERY well.

I like that this is a feature that I’m seeing standard on most new cars.

Most of us try to be conscientious drivers but accidents happen. The 2017 Pacifica has all sorts of camera and sensor technology to keep precious cargo safe.

Pacifica Rear Camera — Rear view cameras and parking assist (on a rainy day) .

I knew about the rear sensors but I didn’t know about the front sensors until I got too close to a car in front of me in the Chick Fil A drive-thru.

Chrysler Pacifica Front Sensor — Front collision sensors on the car are extremely useful.

“Beep!” Okay, Pacifica. I hear you girl!

Hands-free sliding doors are officially on my Christmas wish list

The doors …oh those lovely sliding doors.

Automatic sliding doors in the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica are awesome. (Cute boy with Star Wars crocs not included)

At a touch of a button I can automatically open the doors for the kids to get in and out. Oh how I love that about the Pacifica.

My eight-year old has autism. He’s still not adept at opening and closing car doors.

Having an automatic sliding door makes managing the in-out car process a breeze. That and the hands-free liftgate too!

It’s especially useful on rainy days when you just want everyone to hop in the car so that you can run in the vehicle and keep as dry as possible.

That’s exactly what we did. And I was able to control the door without being physically on it to do so. All the seat buckling happened from inside the car.

This minivan is lit!

Everywhere I turned, there was light in the Pacifica. I counted 11 lights throughout the vehicle. (There may be more).

Aside from the usual suspects in the front and second row seats, here were other areas where I saw a light:

the third row seating area
the trunk space
the driver/passenger door area where you would store a drink
the front row console
the glove compartment

And then there’s the storage….

I’d have to say that there’s so much storage in this vehicle it makes you want to take a long road trip to test how you could max out every nook and cranny for luggage and other accessories.

Chrysler Pacifica trunk space — Deep trunk space is a god send when you have to make a long overdue grocery run. BTW, see all the lights?

There’s storage for your sunglasses, storage for your cups, storage for your groceries, storage for the seats, storage for your purse, storage for your umbrella and storage for just about anything you can think of as long as it fits.

My Favorite Features

Touch-screen with SiriusXM, apps and Navigation

2017 Chrysler Pacifica Navigation — I was impressed when the tunnel came up on the navigation screen. That’s different!

Surround sound system

2017 Chrysler Pacifica equalizer — The surround sound system in the Pacifica is hot! Using the touch screen I can fade the sound from the front all the way to the rear. Convenient when a horrible song comes on that my pre-teen loves.

Panoramic Moon roof

Gorgeous interior leather seats

My least favorite feature

There’s not much that I didn’t like about the new Pacifica. All the bells and whistles were music to my family’s ears.

What I had a hard time adjusting to, a feature I did not like, was the Lane Departure Warning Plus that offered driving “correction” if you veered out of the lane.

If you don’t drive straight and perfect, this will trigger for you constantly. And how many of us drive in a seemingly perfect straight line?

You can easily disengage the feature with a click of a button. After driving the minivan for a day and a half that’s exactly what I did. I felt it pulled the car too much while it was engaged, to the point where I might auto correct too much.

I think it comes in super handy if you are driving while you’re feeling kinda sleepy. But honestly, if that’s the case, you probably shouldn’t be driving.

Studies have shown that if you’re driving when you’re sleepy is akin to driving while drunk. It’s best to NOT.

Lane correction or not.

How much does the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Limited cost?

So, I showed you a lot in this vehicle. You’re probably wondering how much does the Pacifica cost?

Glad you asked.

This particular model retails for $46,460. The base price is $42,495. What comes as optional equipment on this vehicle includes:

20-inch x 7.5-inch aluminum wheels
245/5OR20 BSW All Season Tires
Locking lug nuts
Advanced SafetyTec Group
Park Sense Front and Rear Park Assist with Stop
360-Degree Surround View Camera System
Parallel and Perpendicular Park Assist with Stop
Adaptive Cruise Control with Stop & go
Full Speed Forward-Collision Warning Plus
Lane Departure Warning Plus
Rain Sensitive Windshield Wipers
Automatic High Beam Headlamp Control
Advanced Brake Assist
Hands-free Doors and Liftgate
17-inch Inflatable Spare Tire
Inflatable Spare Tire Kit with Sealant
KeySense

I may not be a minivan mom but this 2017 Pacifica Limited and I go well together. What do you think? Could this be the car for YOUR family? Let me know.

Me in the Pacifica — We look good together.

Want to see the Chrysler Pacifica in my Flipboard magazine? Check it out:

View my Flipboard Magazine.

Tep Wireless Coverage In London For Travelers

Good wireless coverage in London is critical for social travelers.

Having zero wireless coverage in London is painful!

Traveling abroad without suitable wireless coverage is the bane of every travel influencer’s existence. And it’s pretty annoying for regular travelers too.

London Big Ben — Some place Far: London’s Big Ben

You see a famous monument, you wanna share it on Instagram. You stumble upon a parade or market, you want to do a live video.

If you don’t have unlimited wireless coverage or you’re not sitting in a cafe or hotel room chances are, it ain’t happening.

Wi-Fi hot spots can be sketchy. You don’t want to jump on any random open network for fear of hackers and data thieves.

In addition, data roaming prices for uploading/downloading media are ridiculous! So is getting slapped with a $800 phone bill because you wanted to share your international adventures.

What most people do for coverage when they travel abroad can be expensive.

Our home carriers tend to be unreliable, so some of us choose to travel with unlocked phones and swap out our SIM cards for a local SIM.

But this isn’t always ideal.

My husband tried doing this once and when he tried to use his phone again on our carrier’s network, he couldn’t get past the “Welcome” screen.

My pre-Tep wireless coverage experience was a headache.

For five Novembers I have traveled to London for one of the world’s largest travel marketplaces. And for 4 of those Novembers I’ve struggled with having service while out and about.

The first year (and the first time) that I had an issue not having service, I had to ask a local shop-keeper to connect to their Wi-Fi so that I could telephone my friend to let me in the apartment where we were staying.

It was a nerve-racking experience.

I was stranded outside in an unfamiliar place for an hour trying to figure out how I was going to get in touch with her.

My carrier’s version of international coverage in London is a 3G connection that can only be described as negligence! I’d have to slip into a cafe or wait until I got back to my apartment to post my photos.

Forget about doing any video. Not an option!

Tep Wireless is the bomb dot com solution for travelers.

This year, a London-based friend of mine put me on to a local portable wireless provider called Tep.

wireless in London — The Tep device. Screenshot from a live video I filmed while on Tep.

Understand this, my social media life in London will never. be. the. same.

What a positive experience!

I could make Skype or FaceTime calls back to the US while riding the DLR (Docklands Light Railway) because I had Tep by my side.

I surfed Facebook, posted on Instagram, checked the weather, listened to my Amazon music, and even live- streamed while out and about – all because I had the Tep device.

There’s no going back for me after Tep.

That would be like returning to the Dark Ages for me. No, no. Not happening.

How do you get a Tep wireless device?

Glad you asked. The process is very simple.

You pre-order your device before you arrive. It can be delivered to you or you can pick it up from the airport. Currently Heathrow is the only airport in which you can pick up the device.

Tep Wireless works with an airport vendor named Excess Baggage Company.

They’re located outside the automatic doors and to your right (in Terminal 5), after you clear London customs. This is where you can pick up your pre-ordered device.

Tip: Picking up your device at the airport is cheaper than having it delivered to you.

Don’t worry if you have an early-morning arrival. The Excess Baggage Company is open from 5:30 a.m. – 11 p.m. local time in Terminals 2-5.

Remember, the pickup point is outside the customs and baggage reclaim exit. Just follow the signs for “left luggage” and you will see the big open storefront with suitcases and a small conveyor belt.

Tip: If you’re transferring flights at Heathrow (say you’re going to Ireland or Scotland), you’ll need to check out in order to reach the pick-up point.

The costs of a rental aren’t as high as you’d think.

For nine days of unlimited wireless internet in the UK, it cost $85.55 plus $7.95 for the pickup. The latter charge is a direct cost charged to Tep from the Excess Baggage Company for handling.

Your device will come in a case with a wire and a charger, as well as quick instructions.

Tep case for coverage in London — Snapshot from a live video I did while on Tep. It’s a bit pixelated but I still was able to go live.

You can return the device where you picked it up, mail it back, or keep it to own for $124.95, get free 5 day passes and pay 20% less for the day rate when you rent.

You only pay if and when you connect. No contract. No fixed cost. No minimum usage rules.

Your daily unlimited internet runs every 24 hours on the dot. This means when the day is up you have to reconnect the device and sign back in.

Tep’s prices are comparable to another company that I’m familiar with, XcomGlobal.

Xcom doesn’t have a pick-up option unless you live in San Diego. A 10-day rental with them for coverage in the UK will cost you $86.70 with an advanced shipping charge of $9.

I didn’t use them personally but I hopped onto my friend’s device while we were in London that first November.

It seemed pretty reliable as well.

My Tep Experience covered me throughout the UK.

Overall, Tep worked really well while I was in London. I rarely had any moments where I didn’t have wireless coverage.

As a matter of fact, the only time that this happened was when my battery died. Generally, the battery lasted from 9 a.m. to 6 or 7 p.m. without recharging.

The other time that I lost coverage was when the 24 hours were up and I didn’t realize it.

FYI: a portable battery with the unit is an extra charge.

On my 2-day trip to Scotland, Teppie came with me and kept me covered for most of my time there from Edinburgh all the way to the Scottish Highlands.

Overall there were more drops in Scotland than there were in London but I imagine this was a factor of the remote areas in which we were visiting.

I’m happy that Tep exists and that it’s super convenient for travelers in London that need to stay connected.

Tep Wireless provides coverage in over 60 countries. So far, I’ve only tried it out in two.

If you’ve tried Tep in other countries, please leave me some feedback below about your experience.

All I know is that from now on while I’m traveling in London:

No more roaming charges.
No more non-connectivity issues.

What about you? What do you do when you need coverage and you’re traveling abroad? Have a favorite provider or device? Leave me a comment below. I’d love to know.

Disclaimer: I worked with Tep Wireless to review their device for a week.

Nov 25 2016

An Existential Retreat In Costa Rica Made of 1,000 Steps

Steps in Costa Rica — Walking to the waterfall on my 1st trip to Costa Rica – T. B. Smith

Most of us don’t consider overcoming fears while we’re on a vacation. Especially when it’s a getaway designed to be a wellness retreat.

That’s exactly what happened during the Costa Rica Women’s retreat I offered in September: tons of fear-addressing.

The trip was designed to transport members of the MGTT travel squad to another world, both mentally and physically.

In so doing, it required showcasing the natural beauty of Costa Rica. Inherent in that beauty are experiences quite unfamiliar to most of us: wild animals, energy vortexes, and natural wonders hidden behind the veil of steep elevations.

As my guests learned on this trip, anything really worth seeing sometimes requires 1,000 steps to get to it.

One of my travel squad members, Christie, recounts her figurative and literal experience with this notion on her blog.

Christie Retreat In Costa rica — Christie in Costa Rica

Her story about her unplanned existential retreat in Costa Rica will have you wondering where it is that you need to go to experience your own transformation.

Please take a read. Tell me what you think. Personally, I love what she had to say:

I’ve been betrayed by every single mirror in my house… in the entire United States!

I said this to myself standing in front of the full length mirror in my hotel room. Tired. Sweaty. A little muddy. Completely disgusted with my reflection… with myself…

Just a few hours before I was on a full day of adventure through the rain forests and volcanic foothills of Costa Rica. Sandwiched between a five-mile nature hike with six hanging bridges and a 4-mile (round-trip) hike to climb volcanic rocks, was a trip to Catarata La Fortuna (La Fortuna Waterfall).

At the entrance of this tourist attraction, there is your typical gift shop, cafe, and restroom house along with a look-out platform where you can view the waterfall. From here, the waterfall looks miles away… a tiny white stitch on a large blanket of green. My thought: This is it? Actually, I think I said it out loud because our tour guide, Brandon, said “No, we are going to get much closer. We’re going to hike down there.” Okay… cool… been hiking all morning so, no big deal. Then he says… “To get to the waterfall, we have to walk down 500 steps.”

Here’s something you need to know about me…

I have a “thing” about steps. And by “thing” I mean a serious fear of them. I hate steps. HATE steps! Going up, not so bad… going down, complete terror. Whenever I approach a staircase, before I take that first step down… I see myself falling from top to bottom. True story. So every time I have to walk down stairs or even on an escalator, I have to take a quick deep breath, tell myself “you will not fall,” get a vice-grip on the railing, then take it one step at a time, exhaling panic the whole way down.

Photo by T. B. Smith

Now… back to the walking down 500 steps to see this waterfall…

My body is already fussing at me for the previous hike and now my mind has joined the protest. I practically lose my mind going down a standard flight which is only 16 steps… and I’m gonna attempt 500? Who does that?

“You don’t have to go,” says Brandon.
“You can stay up here and wait for us to come back. It’s ok.”

My travel squad, in agreement with him, say they understand as well. (sigh) And so begins the tug-o-war with myself. Wanting to have this adventure but the thought of those stairs paralyzing me. Feeling so stupid as I watch children and senior citizens eagerly and effortlessly descend. (big heavy sigh)

While staring at the tiny stitch of white off in the distance and contemplating “do or die (or both),” Tawanna comes up beside me…

“I feel you,” she says. “It’s a lot of steps. A. Lot. Of. Steps. But it’s worth it. Think about it, Christie… this isn’t like going to Florida. You can’t say ‘oh well, I’ll do it next time.’ Do you know when you’ll be back in Costa Rica? You’re here now… you might as well do it!
Who knows if you’ll get the chance again, right?”

Dammit! (deep breath) You will not fall. (exhale panic)

Ummm… Did I mention that these were no ordinary steps.

Of the 500, roughly 300 of them are actual steps… like made of concrete or wood and have something resembling real railings. The rest of them were stones or pavers with holes in them (that you have to step on just right or there goes your ankle or knee) with either a thin rope as a railing or no railing at all! But all 500 being a collective hot ass mess! Some wide. Some narrow. Some a couple of shoe-lengths long. Some you have to step sideways to get proper footing. Some that go in a straight or staircase-landing-staircase pattern. Some that curve in a half spiral or just drop off in a nearly 90 degree ladder-like angle. All of them fucking terrifying.

But… I did it.

I made it to the bottom to see the magnificent Catarata La Fortuna up close and personal. She was big and beautiful. Hard to believe that this was the tiny stitch of white I saw on the landing. So powerful, yet so calming. We sat on the rocks, dipped our aching feet in her cool, healing waters and watched the other tourists baptize themselves in her glory. The only thing left to do in this moment was to thank God… for pretty much everything.

What goes down, must come up…

I was so focused on surviving going down the steps that I didn’t put any thought into going back up. That is until I was standing at the bottom and getting a really good look at how long and far we came. From this perspective, the reality that these steps cleverly disguised the fact that you just repelled down a mountain-side and now have to climb back up that bitch, smacks you all in the face. Seriously… How did this not sink in initially?

The weight of it all came crashing down on me. Literally the weight… my weight… all of it… and just how much of it I have gained over the last three years made me abundantly aware of its presence as we began our ascent.

My body in excruciating pain that increased with every step… begging me to stop the torture. My heart threatening to bust through my chest in arrest. Air clawing its way in and out of my lungs as I hoisted… yes, hoisted… my frame one shaky leg at a time. My companions ahead of me upon my urging and my reassuring them I was okay and to not wait on me. Truthfully, I just didn’t want them to see how un-okay I really was. Thank goodness for the sweat that masked my tears.

Half way up, there’s a portion of the staircase that is well constructed out of concrete and stone with a built in bench. I stopped for a moment to gather myself. Brandon stood nearby with a concerned watchful eye, telling me to take my time. He and I both knew that taking too long of a break would make this so much harder. And, God, this was so hard!

How did I let this happen?

How could I do this to myself, again? AGAIN!! Did I stop caring? When? When did I stop looking in mirrors, again? I fought so hard to see myself… to love myself… to feel good in my skin… When did I stop? Why?

“I am in really bad shape,” I said softly to Brandon.
“And it has absolutely nothing to do with how fat I am.”

He just looked sympathetically confused and said “Are you ready?”
He had no clue just how loaded that question is. The answer is yes… and the answer is no. But yes, is the only way back to the top.

So I’m standing in the hotel room looking at someone I resemble… but don’t recognize.

I swear, I didn’t seem this big, or look this sad, or feel this unhealthy before I got here… or did I? I’m convinced that Costa Rica is full of fun house mirrors. It’s either that or U.S. mirrors are all designed to give us a false sense of self.

Or maybe it’s none of that. Maybe I’m just seeing (and feeling) the truth. After all, I went on this trip to discover myself, right?

The body achieves what the mind believes.
Clearly, I have not been very kind to myself in all the ways one can be unkind.

Costa Rica wanted to show me who I really am… and maybe who I’m not. She wanted to show me who I’m going to be… and who I need to be when I leave.

“
Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water.
Now, you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup. You put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle. You put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot.
Now, water can flow… or it can crash.
Be water, my friend.
— Bruce Lee

You Are Also Going To Love

Oct 24 2016

A Peek Onboard the USS Leyte Gulf For Maryland Fleet Week

Getting to the USS Leyte Gulf isn’t your everyday excursion. This active destroyer is usually busy out at sea. Fortunately, it was assigned to Maryland Fleet Week for public tours and I was in town to spend a day on the ship.

Martin State airport — Getting ready to hop on a helo (helicopter) at Martin State Airport air field

When I found out that we’d have to take a helicopter to sea to board the ship, my brain began constructing all kinds of movie scenes. Hooray for my active imagination that had me prepared for just about anything.

Overall, transportation was pretty mellow. But still, landing onboard the USS Leyte Gulf was an adventure!

I mean, how many of us can say that we’ve ever been transported by an MH-60 helicopter to a guided missile cruiser (with ready strike capabilities) at sea?

MH60 crew — One of the crew members aboard our MH-60

Not many. Check that off my list!

The exciting embark isn’t something that happens everyday.

PilotSelfie — One of the guys who helped keep me safe.

Orchestrated by Naval District Washington and Commander Carrier Strike Group 12 as a part of the activities for Maryland’s first Fleet Week with the U.S. Navy, myself and twelve other distinguished visitors were transported in the early morning hours to meet the ship while it was in transit to Baltimore.

HeloBay — The Leyte Gulf’s aircraft bay.

Onboard the USS Leyte Gulf

Once onboard the ship, all distinguished visitors had an opportunity to spend time with the officers and crew, tour the vessel, enjoy lunch (those of us on the early helos had the pleasure of having breakfast as well), visit the ship’s store, and engage in other exciting onboard activities.

USS Leyte Gulf bow — Bow of the USS Leyte Gulf as we head in towards Baltimore.

Visitors to Maryland’s Fleet Week (Oct 10-17) took a tour onboard the Leyte (pronounced “lay-tay”) Gulf as well.

Our at-sea experience included visiting the bridge as well as other nooks and crannies of the ship. The flight deck, bridge, and ward (the officer’s eating area) were highlights of my visit.

Specs and brief history of the USS Leyte Gulf

The twenty nine year-old TICONDEROGA class AEGIS Guided Missile Cruiser’s home port is in Norfolk, VA. Commissioned in Fort Lauderdale, FL in 1987, the ships original homeport was in Mayport, FL.

According to the U.S. Navy, the USS Leyte Gulf was first modernized in 2007. It underwent Cruiser Modernization in 2011, which included significant Combat Systems upgrades, extensive hull, tank and superstructure work.

The ship has deployed to the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf, Adriatic Sea, the coast of Somalia, the Mediterranean and “to points East” supporting various missions and operations.

Picture tour aboard the Leyte Gulf

Typical narrow ship stairs — The narrow stairs of the Leyte Gulf

If you couldn’t make it to see the ship, here are some shots from my day with the crew of the Leyte Gulf. Since the ship is an active carrier, it was business as usual.

working the compass onboard the USS Leyte Gulf — Two seamen working out the ship’s navigation.

Each crew member has a task and a role. I had a chance to see just about everything from splicing rope to navigating the ship to getting meals ready in the galley.

splicing rope on the USS Leyte Gulf — Splicing rope on the USS Leyte Gulf

Overlook on USS Leyte Gulf — The USS Leyte Gulf’s Commanding Officer

USS Leyte Gulf Tower — Bunch of steel, navigation and communications equipment

Tug boat pulls USS Leyte Gulf into Baltimore — A tug boat pilots the USS Leyte Gulf into the port of Baltimore

Here are some of the faces of the USS Leyte Gulf who keep the waters safe.

I couldn’t help but take multiple selfies with sailors before they disembarked for their day out in Baltimore.

I’m grateful for each one of these guys and girls who take an oath to the U.S. Navy.

There’s nothing quite like that Navy pride. Believe me, I know. I’m not only married to a Navy man but I live right outside Annapolis, i.e. Navy Town.

The most important seat in the house deserves its own bit of artwork, wouldn’t you agree?

On our way into Baltimore, we had the pleasure of pulling right up to the Navy’s latest and greatest ship, the USS Zumwalt, a futuristic-looking stealth destroyer. It was commissioned during Maryland Fleet Week amongst dignitaries and other invited guests.

To learn more about what happened at Maryland Fleet Week, Visit Maryland’s website.

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