Kennedy vs. Hilton

No, Sen. Edward Kennedy isn't fighting Paris Hilton (though I would LOVE to see that).

What I'm talking about is how much better I slept on the USS John F. Kennedy last night compared to Sunday night at the Hilton in downtown Boston.

Monday was our first evening aboard the Jacksonville-based aircraft carrier and I had the best night of sleep ever. Photographer Jon Fletcher says he slumbered very well, too. There’s lots of ambient noise on the carrier, even dockside here in Boston. General ship noises and this blowie thing in our bunk room that replenishes the air conspired to knock me out cold.

The night before, Sunday, Jon and I stayed at the Hilton in Boston’s posh financial district. Huge comfy bathrobes, king-size beds and 24-hour room service. I got decent rest, but nothing like last night in bunk room 03-110-2-L. Check it out:

It’s about 400 square feet containing eight bunk beds, metal lockers, some metal chairs and two sinks. There is a TV and fridge but we have no time to use them. Going to the head (i.e., the bathroom, see pic above) involves going down a passageway and taking a left. The three showers and toilet stalls remind me of Boy Scout camp, but they get the job done.

The crew is great too. People on the Kennedy are super friendly, always saying hello as you pass them in the passageways.

I have a really good feeling about this voyage and the latest scuttlebutt still has us leaving around 12:30 today for a Friday arrival in Mayport. Keep your fingers crossed.

Jeff