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Comment by HockeyMom on June 15, 2011 at 6:02pm

@Defiance my son has had his girlfriend at the time, stay on base, he has to arrange that, but my son's brother and I have stayed at Best Western, #360 on rt#12 it is 3 minutes from the base, they have a restauant on site, with sauna, pool, and weight rm.

not an eligant place, but is not bad it cost a little bit more then you staying on base

Comment by Jeffsmom1380 on June 15, 2011 at 2:41pm

I'm visiting my son over July 4th.  I hear there is a carnival & fireworks!  I am going to Mystic & also Ocean Beach Park in New London.  Water slides & the ocean!  Groton is a great place.

Comment by SailorMom on June 15, 2011 at 2:22am

 :). Hi everyone, I feel like I know this area better now so I can comment.

Defiance Mom: The reason your son isn't sure is because things don't work on an airtight schedule the way they did in boot camp. The school does assign a chronological training schedule but it can get scrapped or moved or changed around for any number of reasons. In boot camp, it was nine weeks like clockwork and that's that. In Groton there could be changes, "classups", "holds" and things that take precedent.  If he's not sure, it's because he really is not sure.

 

That said, if there is a date mentioned BESS *is* planning to have something happen on that date and they WILL tell the boys if there's a change. If he's given you an actual date, he got it from somewhere and that's the best information there is, so it's safe to act on it.

The Navy Lodge is nice, and cheap. There are also several hotels very near post that will do fine and run in the seventy dollar range. Outside of Groton, there's the tourist town of Mystic which is the coolest little town on the planet in my opinion. The high end there is running 230 a night for tourist season but you can check out my absolute favorite B and B there, the Taber Inne, for somewhere running about a hundred bucks OR the Inn at Mystic for about the same. Neither of those have kitchens but TI has a pool and free breakfast.

 

It's an absolutely *magical* place in the US if you knock around there awhile. You'll love it.

Also make sure your kid gives you a tour of the base. It's ancient and beautiful and given the East Coast flavor and how pretty it is, you might come away thinking your kid has something on whoever he knows who's going to Brown.

 

If you're in Mystic, check out SeaSwirl, which is a takeout place on the river that makes fried clams that are out of this world, Mystic Seaport - twentyish bucks for a daypass to see the last wooden whaling ship in existence plus a cool museum exhibit on Sailor Tattoos, and Kitchen Little, the most amazing seaside breakfast restaurant on the planet.

Comment by SubWife2011 on June 15, 2011 at 2:02am

Defiance Mom:  I checked into Navy Lodge for BESS graduation on July 15 and they are completely booked.  So, I decided to stay at Navy Gateway Inn and it's only $56 a night.

Colleen: My husband also graduated Boot Camp on May 13 and is graduating BESS July 15.

Comment by Rose7..Norfolk on June 14, 2011 at 10:56pm

Defiance, Lynn.....I strongly recommend Navy Lodge.  I stay twice and I love it.  Is a little expensive but is a big room with a kitchen (little stove and big refrigerator, microwave) very clean, nice staff and you don't pay taxes.  I'm visiting my son the 4th of July weekend and already make my reservation.  ONE thing to keep in mind you can call and make the reservation but once you get there your sailor have to check you in.  So you will have to make arrangements with your sailor (make sure he is available by the time you get there) to check you in. 

 

ABOUT the four day weekend (4th of July) is true that is why we are going to visit my son that weekend to expend more time that a regular weekend.

Comment by Defiance Mom on June 14, 2011 at 10:42pm

Thank you to those commenting on graduation and places to stay.  I will check out the Navy Lodge but I am concerned about availability this close to the travel date.  Nonetheless, that is definitely a place to start.  Very excited about making the trip.

Comment by Colleen112 on June 14, 2011 at 7:18pm

My son graduated BC on May 13 and I too am uncertain when BESS school graduation will be, he too was in Groton a couple weeks before actual BESS school started, it is hard to get concrete dates, but am also anxious to schedule the trip, I will keep asking and checking!

Comment by Angie on June 14, 2011 at 6:43pm

cjasmin518 - it is my understanding from my son that they are getting a 4 day weekend and that graduation is on June 30th instead of July 1st. If I find out any more details (I have to pry them out of him) I will definitely pass it along.

Comment by Lynn on June 14, 2011 at 6:37pm

Defiance Mom, my son graduated BC on 05/06/2011 and is to graduate BESS on 07/15/2011 also.  We are from Michigan and will be heading out to the graduation, I cant wait to see him again.  Ive looked at motels online but havent decided on one yet...Im afraid Ill pick a bad one, haha.

Comment by Defiance Mom on June 14, 2011 at 5:07pm

Hello everyone! My son told me last night that he expects to graduate BESS on 7/15/11. His PIR date from Great Lakes was 5/6/11 but he had at least a couple weeks in Groton before classes began. I was just wondering if anyone else could confirm that their sailor that graduated BC on 5/6/11 was also graduated BESS on 7/15/11? My son just seemed a little less than completely sure last night and I would feel better if someone else's son/husband could confirm this date. I would hate to make plans to attend and find out we had the wrong date.

Also, my husband is planning to visit Groton this coming weekend for Father's Day. Despite the 12 hour trip, he will have about 1 full day to visit. Any suggestions of things that should not be missed during this first trip to Groton or perhaps even places to stay? This was very much a spur-of-the-moment trip. Thank you very much for any assistance you can provide on either question.

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