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| Above, the model of the USS New Mexico (SSN-779) at the Manuelito Welcome Center. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
After our usual gathering at Denny's in the Flying J, I headed off to Lupton, Arizona to the Tee Pee Trading Post to pick up a few cigars.
It is a nice warm spring day at about 79° outside.
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| Above, the Tee Pee Trading Post in Lupton, Arizona. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
I had to go to Gallup anyway to do some grocery shopping, so I went 20 more miles to the Arizona-New Mexico border where Lupton is located.
After making my purchases at the Tee Pee Trading Post, I headed into Gallup to go to Albertson's supermarket. But, I made one stop at the Manuelito Welcome Center to use the facilities and to pick up some literature. While there, I noticed a model of a nuclear submarine.
It is the USS New Mexico (SSN-779), a Virginia-class fast attack nuclear submarine.
Here's a little bit about the USS New Mexico (from Wikipedia):
USS New Mexico (SSN-779), a nuclear powered Virginia-class attack submarine, is the second ship of the United States Navy to be named for the 47th state. She is the second of the Virginia Block II submarines to enter service. From March–April 2014, she participated in the ICEX 1-14, becoming the second Virginia-class submarine to surface at the North Pole. The homeport of New Mexico is Groton, Connecticut at Naval Submarine Base New London.
Construction was awarded to Northrop Grumman Newport News in Newport News, Virginia on 14 August 2003. She is the Navy's sixth Virginia-class submarine, has one million parts and 140 shipboard systems. She was built by a joint agreement between General Dynamics Electric Boat (GDEB) and Northrop Grumman Newport News (NGNN). Construction began in January 2004 at the Electric Boat Corporation, Groton, Connecticut and Quonset Point, Rhode Island facilities, for the construction of the straight sections. The individual components were shipped to Newport News for final assembly. Her keel was laid down on 12 April 2008, and on 18 May 2008 the final hull welds were completed. She was christened on 13 December 2008, with Cindy Giambastiani, the boat's sponsor and wife of ADM Edmund Giambastiani. Representative Heather Wilson, 1st District-New Mexico, was present as the keynote speaker.
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| Above, relaxing outside after my errands were completed. Photo by Armand Vaquer. |
Surprisingly, there was no traffic jammed up at out exit in Jamestown due to the construction. After getting home, I made some guacamole and popped open a bottle of Alien Amber Ale.
It was nice to be outside in the warm air, especially after that long winter we had.
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