While we were in South Carolina, Julie and I had planned to spend one day taking a day trip down to the city of Charleston. There were some definite attractions we wanted to see as a family, and we also though it would be a good way to break up the week at the beach. We didn't leave right away, since we wanted to avoid rush hour in Charleston. That gave Julie time to go for a run.
Last year, she started running and training for a 5K. She met her goal, dropped a few pounds, finished 2 5K races, and made me very proud of her. She's kept going because it's helped her feel healthier.
I only mention this because her run on Tuesday morning led her to the
Pawleys Island Bakery, and she jogged all the way back holding a bag of donuts and cinnamon buns dripping with icing. In my mind, this is the greatest justification for a run ever.
Even better, someone else did the running for me, and I still got pastries.
Bellies full, we settled into the van for the drive down Hwy. 17. If you've never driven Hwy. 17 between Pawleys Island and Charleston, you have missed out on...well, nothing. Once you hit the town of Georgetown, you pass into the Francis Marion National Forest, and it's a good 40 miles or so of nothing. Make sure you gas up before you leave.
That changes in a hurry once you hit Mt. Pleasant, on the outskirts of Charleston. It's undergoing massive development, and that was about 10 miles of stop-and-go traffic with all of the new lights being installed. We were trying to find the turn for
Patriots Point, our first destination of the day, and I was still angry at Darth Vader and neglected to take him with us.
Naturally, the road gradually widened out to 3 lanes as we approached the city, and I had no idea which lane was correct. At the last minute, we saw a teeny-tiny sign that said "Ft. Sumter Tours" with an arrow pointing left, so I pulled off a classic NJ Turnpike-style cut-off move and got over for the turn. After making the turn off of Hwy. 17, we reached another light, with no signs directing us whatsoever. Knowing we needed to bear right somewhere along the way to get to Patriots Point, I made a right turn...and we hit a major ramp leading us to this:
The Arthur Ravenel Bridge, on Highway 17 into Charleston.
We drove all the way across the bay into the city, and took the first exit we saw.
This led us down a road along the harbor's edge. We had to make 3 more turns, wait through several more signals and then find an entrance ramp before finally heading back over the bridge. Next time you get a bright idea, Jack, write a @#$% memo.
Signage was much better in this direction, and we finally found our way to Patriots Point. I apologize, Darth. You can be my wingman anytime.
Patriots Point is a large Naval Museum with several retired U.S. Navy ships at the dock available for the public to explore. The centerpiece is the
U.S.S. Yorktown, an aircraft carrier that served our country from WWII all the way to the Vietnam War. Named in honor of an earlier aircraft carrier that was sunk in the Battle of Midway, it eventually capped its career by participating in the pickup of the astronauts of Apollo 8 before being decommissioned in 1970. I won't list all of the accomplishments of the crew here, but take the time to read the links. You'll be proud of the men who served our country.
Before going out to the ship, however, we stopped first to check out a possible add-on option for my minivan.
Enough fooling around. On to the Yorktown!
There are a series of self-guided tours of various parts of the ship, so we set off to explore as soon as we boarded. Julie wanted to try and shut this hatch after the kids went through, but the stairs made it a little difficult.
Torpedo in the water!
Living quarters. Looks comfy, huh? And I thought the couch was uncomfortable. If, of course, Julie ever made me sleep there.
Love this motto. I could use this one at my office. Just goes to show you that people got just as frustrated in the 1940's as we do today.
One display showed the ingredients you would need in order to serve the crew 10,000 chocolate-chip cookies, which might also be enough to feed my kids.
Here's the engine room. Is it wrong if I was looking for Hidden Mickeys on the panel wall there?
In the hangar and on the flight deck were several fighter planes from various eras. Here, Scotty felt the need...the need for speed in the cockpit.
The young pilots headed to the briefing room to get the mission details. Luckily, no one spilled the beans about Operation Big Thunder.
Be careful what you shoot at. Most things in here don't react too well to bullets.
Here's a better view of the Arthur Ravenel Bridge into the city. Apparently it cost $500 million to build and is designed to last 100 years. I hope so, for that price. It looks cool, though.
Here Scotty is standing by the cable that planes landing on the aircraft carrier needed to catch with their tailhook in order to slow down and stop in time before they flew off the other end of the flight deck. Whatever they pay these pilots, it ain't enough. And if your tailhook malfunctions? Rig the barricade! Foul deck! Foul deck! This is not a drill!
Basically, they have to catch you in a giant net. Soo...who wants to be a fighter pilot?
Dave and I checked out the intake of an F-18 Hornet.
E-1B Tracer (early radar aircraft)
Sarah tries out the captain's chair. I think she looks a little too comfortable giving the orders around here.
Back in the hangar, they had a special Medal of Honor museum. Inside, it told the poignant stories of many of the recipients, most of whom sacrificed their lives and were given the award posthumously. It was moving and uplifting at the same time, and well worth the time spent. There are a lot of people parading themselves around the country trying to pass themselves off as leaders and role models. They can't hold a candle to the people enshrined here.
I know this is just a brief glance at the Yorktown, but it really was worth the time. How many chances do you get to walk on an aircraft carrier? The kids had a great time leading the explorations. I am amazed at how anyone could find their way around the maze of hallways. It's basically a city at sea--they have their own doctor's offices, dentist, machine shop, electrical shop, recreational areas...just a mind-boggling amount of detail went into building that ship. There's no wasted space. Check it out if you're ever in Charleston.
Coming Up Next: We're on a boat!
)
I have to tell my friends to stop shopping in upscale locations.
Chellymouse! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! (it beats the alternative)
