After my raw oyster eating experience for lunch yesterday, NICKIE, Jim, and I drove over to Battleship Park to tour the Battleship USS Alabama and the Submarine USS Drum.
The amount of time we had available for this park was not enough to visit everything since I had to make it back to the refuge before dark. I try to avoid driving after sunset these days.
The tours are self guided, and oh my gosh, there are a lot of stairs and steps involved with the battleship. I believe there are 18 stories involved in going up and down to all the levels of the battleship.
The amount of guns of all sizes made a real impression on me. The USS Alabama served in WWII, and while I was climbing up and down this ship the music from the Victory at Sea TV program was playing in my head. It was amazing to me how the ship operated, and what these men went through during the war. It really gave me a new perspective to viewing war movies that I have seen in the past.
Then there was the USS Drum, a submarine also serving in WWII. What a stressful life that must have been. The compact accommodations reminded me of my motorhome in a way, but at least I can move from room to room standing up straight. When out to sea, these sailors didn’t have showers or a change of clothes for something like 40-58 days! And how would you like sleeping with a torpedo? I’ve always had a great respect for our men and women in the military, but yesterday brought the sacrifices that they make everyday more fully to my attention.
There were also many planes and tanks on display to be viewed in the park.
I just didn’t have enough time to take everything in. Battleship Park is certainly worth a full day visitation in my estimation. As for the cost, parking is $2.00, and the admission to tour the battleship, submarine, planes, and tanks is $10.00 for those 55 and older. Well worth it in my opinion.
On the local front today, we found 22 cranes on the tour this morning. Remember when I posted recently about ‘The Shed’ barbeque place featured on “Diner’s, Drive-Ins, and Dives”? Well, early last Sunday morning they had a fire, and much of it burned down. I drove past it today on the crane tour, and it is a mess, but they are still up and running serving their Q from under a tent!
Thanks for stopping by… talk to you later, Judy
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Nice post and great pictures. Glad your raw oyster didn't make you sea sick as you walked around the battleship's decks.
ReplyDeleteWe're putting it on the "Must Visit" list.
You're right, Battleship Park is a great place to visit. We always recommended it to out of town guests when we lived in Pensacola.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry to hear about the fire. They must really be troopers to be operating out of a tent.
ReplyDeleteAnother great sightseeing day. You have been a really busy lady.
ReplyDeleteIt's always neat to tour Navy ships...Our son was on the USS JFK in Desert Storm...the USS Lexington is at Corpus Christi..Our Uncle Jr. served in WWII on this ship..It is well worth a tour if you ever get the chance!! Too bad about the Shed...I just bet they will build it back!!
ReplyDeleteYears ago I visited a museum in Chicago (maybe Science & Industry?) and was intrigued by a captured German tiny little submarine. I forget what it was called, but it was really a miniature sub. Everything on board was as it would have been during the war, and I was intrigued that the table where the crew ate had blue checked tablecloths. Those guys wanted their tiny little quarters to look homey.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the tour. We have driven by a number of times and have yet to stop. Now we are only about 50 miles away for several months-and still not:(
ReplyDeleteI would enjoy Battleship Park. In the mid 60's I was stationed aboard the Canadian Destroyer H.M.C.S. Saguenay based in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Know what you mean by small spaces & all the climbing up & down......
ReplyDeleteWe visited the battleship that sits at dock in the National Museum of the US Navy in Washington D.C. when our boys were young. Going either up or down one of those many sets of stairways outside the battleship a gust of wind blew my skirt up over my head.
ReplyDeleteI don't think I want to tour any more battleships.
Our first battleship visit ever was to the USS Missouri, the ship on which the WWII Japanese surrender was signed. Felt like we'd traveled back in history.
ReplyDeleteBattleship Park is on our list. Bummer about the shed, I hope they can rebuild quickly.
ReplyDeleteBeing an old Navy Guy I have lived aboard aircraft carriers for many months, It was always an exciting a fun atmosphere. with the smell of the ocean mixed with jet fuel. Glad to see you guys had a good day for your tour. Be safe out there. Sam & Donna..
ReplyDeleteOh my...that is terrible news about The Shed. Hope no one was hurt. Glad you enjoyed the Battleship. We spent about 5 hours there. Really enjoyed the Museum. ~wheresweaver
ReplyDeleteWe toured that battleship while we were on our honeymoon to Florida back in 1969. I can't imagine what those guys in WW2 went through for our freedom!!
ReplyDeleteI knew you would enjoy the USS Alabama. One could spend two days at the park easily. Glad you had a great day with friends.
ReplyDeleteJust BS!(Bob and Sue)
When we went to tour the USS Alabama it was so cold I couldn't hang onto the railing to get up and down the stairs (I was still recovering from my broken ankle). I'd love to go back again. I found the Drum fascinating. Such small quarters. I would hate it.
ReplyDeleteWe have visited the USS Missouri in San Diego and it definitely made an impression on me too. I think you don't really appreciate what our sailors go through and the conditions they live in until you get to see it up close.
ReplyDeleteGreat blog - thanks for the tour!
ReplyDeleteWe toured the Alabama a couple of years ago. I would like to go back again as I don't think I saw it all. What a gigantic ship. You can have the sub. That would make me stir crazy. No room at all in that thing. Nice pics
ReplyDeleteWe toured the North Carolina last year -- I understand the climbing up and down in and out of small areas, etc. But, it's also amazing...made us appreciate those who serve even more! Thanks for sharing!
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