Overseas Cascade

So, it's official. Carson has been out to sea for a week now. We also haven't talked to him for a week now (or seen him for 2 weeks), URGH! I didn't realize how much I loved him and would miss him until now. Absence does make the heart grow founder. Carlee and I are doing great, but are looking forward to seeing him in 2 more weeks. He should be home the week of the 4th of July and Carlee's 4th Birthday. There will be lots to celebrate that week...

Here are some photos of his adventure so far:

He said that everything in LA was so green and gorgeous. Of course, while we had snow they were getting weather warnings to stay inside because it was so hot and humid. He was in training for about a week before he got on the vessel he is on now. 

More bright colored flowers...

A swamp area.

Lots of these little guys around.

And these little guys also, although they may be covered in oil (so sad).

On his way to Alabama (up the coast on a small boat) from Louisiana, he was dropped off in Mississippi. The captain of the vessel he was getting on, called Carson's cell phone, and said he didn't have clearance to get on his boat so he and his buddy that was with him got dropped off on the banks of Mississippi and were told by their bosses at Total Safety to get a place to stay. They got checked into their hotel and were walking across the street to get some dinner when they got another call to get back to the dock because they now had clearance. It is kind of funny, and frustrating, and makes complete sense while they don't have a cover on the oil spill quite yet. "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians!"

Anyhow, he is now on this vessel called the Overseas Cascade:

He loves it! He said it is like a cruise ship, but their rooms are larger and they do your laundry. The vessel is brand new. It was just put on the Ocean last December.

Oh, and I just found this online. I think he now has a title as a "scientist." Who'da thunk? haha! Here is what was posted about what he is doing online:

"Last week, the Overseas Cascade had 4 BP scientists aboard monitoring air quality. Air quality is measured on the federal level with a matrix called Air Quality Index (AQI). The current AQI in many Gulf coast states is Moderate, which is measuring the dominant primary pollutant. In this case, PM2.5 is being measured with a 24-hour average over 35.4 micro/grams per meter squared. You can determine the near-realtime air quality of the Gulf by visiting http://gulfcoast.airnowtech.org/."

He sits in an A/C monitoring room watching the air quality control monitors and makes sure everything is ok. He works with 3 other guys and they always have 2 of the 4 working together. Oh, and he has to walk the large vessel every hr to "check things out." However, since he said that he is eating so good because the chef is amazing, this will help with some exercise. haha! Am I a little jealous? YES! However, I am also SO excited for him to have this opportunity and so proud of him for being selected to take the extra training courses, etc out of the many men that were in the first training courses. Like I said before, this is going to be hard to have him gone, but I really do feel like it will allow me to quit my job soon because his resume is going to be awesome and gives him so many opportunities once he is home.

I'll keep you posted of any other news we may hear from him.

He is a great Dad and an awesome husband. We LOVE you Carson. Happy Fathers Day!

Read more here: http://markimoore.com/activities-overseas-cascade/

Close up and personal of the vessel Carson is on with the hose going to his ship from the main ship collecting it on the surface.