USS Denver

The USS Denver is the ship Tony is on right now he is attached to the USS Essex but the Essex's is getting work done on it, so he had to hop over to the Denver for now. He is out in the Ocean for a little over 2 months. The pictures below I did not take they were posted onto the Sasebo Fleet Facebook page.

31st Marine Expeditionary Unit helicopters land on the flight deck of the forward deployed amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9). Denver is the lead ship of the USS DenverAmphibious Task Group and is conducting Amphibious Integration Training with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit off the coast of Okinawa, Japan in preparation for Fall Patrol

USS Denver (LPD 9) pulls out from Sasebo pier for Fall Patrol. Denver, commanded by Capt. Gregory Fenton, is the flag ship of the Denver Amphibious Task Group and is scheduled to participate in three exercises with three different allied nations during Fall Patrol.

A Marine attached to the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit embarked aboard the forward-deployed amphibious transport dock USS Denver (LPD 9) waits for the last of 15 amphibious assault vehicles to enter Denver's well deck. Denver is lead ship of the USS Denver Amphibious Task Group and is conducting Amphibious Integration Training with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit off the coast of Okinawa, Japan in preparation for Fall Patrol.

This is the Marines coming onboard the USS Denver in Okinawa,Japan

Girl Time

We went over to have Homemade Pizza with Jane and her girls last night. Kayleigh,Anna, and Grace played dress up. They are just so darn cute I love it!!

Kayleigh doing what she does best talking on the phone :) She is really coming into her own little person here, she has opened up a lot more and is really expressing her feelings now, and yes Kayleigh is starting to throw those little fits now. I still can't believe she is 2, these past 2 years have flown by so fast.

Grace was trying to hold Jo still and Jane snapped the picture at the right moment :)

Arita Porcelain Park

The Arita Porcelain Park is a small theme park located in Arita town, Saga Prefecture, Japan

We loaded all the kids up in Jane's van and Headed for Arita 6 kids all girls ranging in age from 1 to 13 :) We all had a nice time and the ride was not loud at all believe it or not no meltdowns or fights very nice considering all 6 in one spot :) My girls are really fond of Jane and her Family it's nice to know that yes I can make really good friends over here. So i already know saying goodbye is going to be hard. I'm sure the Richmonds and Barnes Families will have many more adventures throughout Japan.

All the Kiddos in the back

Kayleigh,Anna,Grace in front of the Chess pieces

Everyone eating in Arita at a Restaurant at Porcelain Park

This is a Hot dog with Ketchup and some Cheese on very tasty bread

Pizza and Amber said the other thing of bread had cheese blocks inside she really liked it :)

In front of the Fountain

This was a very beautiful place

Kayleigh and Jo that's Jane and I all the way in the front :)

Tabira Insect Park

On our way home to Hario we passed this Insect Park looks really neat but Amber really dislikes bugs so we just took a quick picture:)

As long as these are not in my house we can look all day :)

Matsura Historical Museum

Count Matsuura Akira (松浦 詮 November 11, 1840 – April 13, 1908) was the 12th and final daimyō of Hirado Domain in Hizen Province, Kyūshū, Japan. He was also the 37th hereditary head of the Matsuura clan, and a noted tea master. His honorary title was. Hizen-no-Kami.

This is his former house in Hirado, and is preserved as the “Matsuura Historical Museum


Statue of Nakayama Aiko

Kayleigh posing some of the trees in this area were over 400 years old pretty amazing to me.

Amber and Autum taking in the sights

This is Matsuura. It is a palace that once belonged to the Matsuura clan. It also houses many local and foriegn aritifacts from China and Europe.

Matsura Historical Museum was established as a foundation in October 1955.The Matsura collection, the museum building, and the surrounding garden were donated by Susumu Matsura (1934-1962), the 39th lord of the Matsura house.The present structure was originally built in 1893 to serve as the private resistance of the Matsura family and was known as the “Senzaikaku-Room”.The room was originally used as a formal reception room.The Matsura collection consist of about 30,000 items handed down in the Matsura family from generation to generation.

Hirado Castle Information

At the same place where the current castle stands, the first castle was built in 1599 by the 26th lord of the Matsura clan, Shigenobu Matsura or Hôin Chinshin, which was called `Hinotake Castle`. The Matsura clan had to burn it down in 1613 to gain the trust of Tokugawa shogunate. As Japan entered a period of national isolation under the same shogunate there were no more profits of foreign trade for the Matsura clan so they turned their attention to domestic affairs. Under the rule of the 29th Lord Shigenobu Matsura or Tenshô Chinshin, new efforts were made to rebuild the castle, and construction started in 1704 with help of the befriended military strategist Sokô Yamaga. The Matsura administration was moved to the main donjon in 1707. Hirado Castle, which was called Kameoka Castle at the time, was completed in 1718 incorporating the Yamaga style of military tactics and using the natural features, creating a stronghold guarding over the Hirado Strait. It served for over 150 years as the centre of the Matsura clan’s rule; from 1707 until the Meiji Restoration.
The main donjon was reconstructed in 1962, followed by other warehouse and defense donjons. From the top of the main donjon one can admire the view of the harbour and the primeval forest of little Kurokojima Island. Beyond the rapids caused by the ebb and flow of the tides in the Hirado Strait one can see as far as Iki Island. A few of the pictures taken of the Castle are belowp lease enjoy them :)

Hirado Castle

Kayleigh loved being on top of the Castle plus the wind was blowing really fast.

Part of the Castle from the top

`Kantô-no-tachi` Sword
This sword is 93 cm long and has a round pommel and a scabbard made of bamboo wrapped in horse skin. It is said to have belonged to an army general at the time of Empress Jingu’s invasion of Korea. Generation after generation, it has been preserved by the feudal lords as an important asset of Kameoka Shrine. It has been designated as an Important National Cultural Treasure.

In front of the Armor (yoroi) This is the armor which the 35th lord of Hirado Domain used to wear. He was the brother of Aikohime, the maternal grandmother of Emperor Meiji.

This is our Ticket floating in the air :) Kayleigh opened my purse and the wind was blowing super hard and out went all the tickets all 4 of them we got 3 back the 4th one went to the top of the Castle.

View from the top of the Castle

Kayleigh loves the Japanese Ice Cream

Sake or saké is a Japanese alcoholic beverage made from rice.

Kayleigh getting her Ice Cream she even paid for her Ice Cream

I love this picture this is the top building of the Castle

In the middle of the Castle

Kayleigh acting all cute

Japanese signs telling you about the Castle

Going into the Castle

This is at the bottom of the Castle entrance

Kayleigh was a stinker during our visit

Rest Area at Hirado Bridge

The girls loved the formation of the rocks and each climbed up to get their picture.

Amber on the Rocks the wind was blowing a lot.

Wind Turbines these were across the River and were going full steam this morning.

My girls standing for a picture in the tree

Hirado Bridge

Tony and I in front of Hirado Bridge it was 100 yen each way very big. Thanks to Teena for all the great tips on our trip today.

Amber in front of the Bridge the wind was blowing a lot very difficult when trying to take pictures.

This is the View going Across