Submarines in Groton

After ARRL we spent two nights in a nice campground in Mystic but it rained so much that we didn’t get out for any sightseeing. As we left (headed for the Boston area) we stopped at the Submarine Force Museum and USS Nautilus – at the Naval Submarine Base in Groton, CT.

The museum had several models and many exhibits of different aspects of the history and technology of submarines from the Revolutionary War up to the present (or at least as close to the present as they can get without giving away secrets).

The model of the Turtle from the Revolutionary War is full sized (with a full size mannequin). The model of a WWII Gato class submarine (with windows into most of the compartments) is maybe 1/12th sized (I’m guessing based on the size of the model people in the various compartments). After watching a film and wandering the exhibits we headed outside to tour the USS Nautilus – the first nuclear powered submarine (built in the early 1950s).

The captain and officers had downright palatial quarters – I think about ten bunks for enlisted men were in about the same space as the captain’s state room! I’ve gotten used to cramped quarters (we rarely put the slide out on the RV) but a submarine takes cramped to the extreme. I’m proud to say that I didn’t trip or bang my head on this submarine tour. The rather large gyro used for navigation was similar to the one Charlie had as backup on his submarine. Mannequins demonstrating various activities almost always have a cup of coffee nearby (sitting in a cup holder ring attached to a vertical surface) – they do say that the coffee urn on a submarine is never empty!

The tour only covers about half the boat – as best I can tell the tour omits the reactor, engines and rear torpedo areas. The main areas were mentioned on the self-guided tour audio and other areas just had signs. It was fun hearing from Charlie about what was different and what was the same on his boat twenty years later.

Our path towards Boston took us through a corner of Rhode Island (probably all we’ll see of that tiny state) before crossing into Massachusetts – mostly all boring Interstate driving (on horrid roads). Amazingly in 45 miles of Rhode Island we passed four accidents – more than we’ve seen in four months of traveling almost every day! But there were a few fun sights along the way.

A lonely wind turbine, a picturesque cell phone tower, the smallest school bus and a clock being tossed off a building – this is how I’ll remember Rhode Island.

And check out the gas pump decoration in Massachusetts – I thought they like Democrats there! We actually got off the Interstate in Rhode Island to go to a gas station just over the state line – I was afraid I’d miss the welcoming sign but as soon as we got back on the Interstate it appeared.

 

For more pictures of the Submarine Force Museum click here!

South Alabama

When our daughter found out where we spent the night in Alabama she insisted that we go to Lambert’s Cafe III in Foley, AL. So we skipped breakfast and hoped to get there soon after they opened at 10:30am. When we arrived we realized that we forgot to change our clocks for crossing into a different time zone – oops! So we were early and took care of a few tasks in the RV before getting in line to enter when the doors opened. The food was amazing and the decor was a bit over the top. The young man that “throwed rolls” also juggled them to entertain us (because we had a fancy camera)! I probably should have just ordered the “pass around” plate –  in addition to the rolls a lot of other goodies are passed around. Charlie had meatloaf and I had salmon patties – and we’re having it again for supper with a large salad.

Click here for more pictures of Foley, AL and Lambert’s Cafe.

Rather than take the most direct route to our next stop we traveled part of Alabama’s Coastal Connection – a scenic drive. There were points of interest along the way but we only stopped once to take pictures. Then Charlie entrusted me with his good camera and I took some pictures through the windshield and out the windows. The driving was exhausting due to narrow roads, bicyclists and small town streets – Charlie was very happy to be back on Interstate 10 for a few minutes before we arrived at the USS Alabama!

Click here for more pictures along Alabama’s Coastal Connection and click here for pictures along Interstate 10 crossing the bay into Mobile.

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, AL meant a lot of up and down ladders – not great for Cheryl’s fear of heights and fear of falling! Happy to report no injuries except for a very minor bump on the head going through a doorway. The submarine USS Drum is even smaller than the boat that Charlie served on – very interesting for me to see the sort of conditions he lived under.

Click here for more pictures of the USS Alabama, USS Drum and various military planes at the park.

After another quick Walmart stop we headed for a campground in Mississippi for the night. We’re going to stay put for two nights so that Charlie can continue installation of numerous electronic devices. While that happens Cheryl will do laundry and optimize some RV organization now that we’ve experienced a few days on the road. We will spend a quiet New Year’s Eve with no chance of dealing with drivers that started the party early! Our party will be subtle – Charlie still has his Glenfiddich and Cheryl was gifted a special bottle of ice wine that she’s been saving to celebrate the beginning of this trip.