USS Bonhomme Richard

A few weeks ago, the USS Bonhomme Richard (pronounced "bon-home rishard") was in port at White Beach. When the ship is docked, the dentist on board goes to work at Spencer's clinic, and she offered to give us a tour one evening. What was even more cool was that this particular ship was featured in the movie Act of Valor, which we had recently watched. Word on the street is that it was in Battleship too, but I passed on watching that one.

Making our way out to the Bonhomme Richard.

Brittany (the dentist giving the tour) was very excited about taking our picture by the big #6.

Not quite as big as an aircraft carrier, the Bonhomme Richard is only about 100 ft. shorter and is classified as an amphibious assault ship. We were excited to check out the helicopter pad up top with lots of choppers and fighter jets. Brittany also showed us the big section inside that holds the three amphibious vehicles on board, but we weren't allowed to take pictures in there. They fill this giant room up with water to drive them off the ship. Pretty amazing.

We see lots of these CH-46's, nicknamed "phrogs," flying around our house. Sometimes they land at the nearby hospital, and it's pretty fun to watch.

Refueler.

Shawn didn't seem too interested in these jets, but he sure is mesmerized by them when they're flying over our house!

Inside the ship, we walked up and down lots of steep stairways.

And through super narrow halls.

The on-board dental clinic.

Hospital beds.

Brittany said there are quiet rooms in the hospital area where people sometimes come on their lunch breaks to take a nap.

We walked through the officers' eating area- the fake wood floors and slip covered chairs made it surprisingly nice. The enlisted eating area just looked like the rest of the ship. Brittany also showed us her teeny tiny room which she shares with two other female officers. With three bunks all stacked on top of each other, three lockers covering one wall, a sink in one corner and a desk in the other, there was hardly room to walk around. We peeked into the enlisted living quarters which was basically just one giant room with tons of bunks. It looked similar to the hospital section, but with beds stacked three high instead of two.

Before we left, we snuck back to the flight deck for a few more pictures. We got there just in time for colors.

Sailors taking down the Marine flag. The stars and stripes were on the opposite end of the ship.

A post colors picture with the sailors.

I think they sort of thought we were weird for asking them to take a picture with us, but whatever. It still blows my mind that so many of the guys and girls in the military are only 18 or 19 years old. That's so young!

Outside, Shawn was excited to have a little extra freedom to run around.

Syd enjoyed showing him that she was the fastest.