Since we didn't know how long we'd have here, we had Jake pick his "must do" activities before we left on our trip. There was only one. Pearl Harbor.
Things have really changed in the 23 years since I visited the USS Arizona monument on my high school graduation trip. When we were here 20 years ago on our honeymoon, it was closed for the upcoming 50 year anniversary re-dedication. When I shipped off the older two boys to meet Cliff here for the tiger cruise 9 years ago, it was closed for more renovations. It was so obvious that much thought and work has gone into this complex. There is so much to see.
We started out at the USS Bowfin. I think almost anyone would be interested in touring a real live submarine...but this was especially special to us, because this submarine was like my grandpa's submarine, the USS Sailfish. We were super excited to check it out.
This is the view looking back at the shore from the deck. Isn't it a beautiful park?
It must have been so fun to be a submariner and get to play with all this stuff every day.
Even if you did have to sleep stacked three high.
In this passageway, some of the racks were pulled up during the day to make room to pass.
Space was at a real premium, so every bit of it had to be used. Racks were stashed wherever there was room.
I loved the little utilitarian details. No room for a watercooler...and no such thing as disposable cups.
This looks like my mixer on steroids. I love this little galley kitchen. It reminds me of my own. I remember my grandpa talking about how good the food was aboard the submarines. He said that generally, the smaller the boat, the better the food. Hopefully that applies to home kitchens, too.
Galley area. Notice the lip around the table in case things get a little bumpy.
I loved all this retro stuff. This typewriter is especially awesome.
Coming back topside after our tour below.
As we were leaving, we had to pass a table containing souvenir newspapers featuring the pics they take as you enter the exhibit. They said this is a replica of the real newspaper from the day of the attack. Ten bucks, that goes toward the foundation in charge of all this wonderful preservation. I would have bought it if the lady was spending the money at Target on her way home, because as I've mentioned before, I am a complete sucker for all these tourist photo traps.
Look...it's home!
Am I taking a picture of the beautiful mural...or the cute Mennonite couple? You know me...what do you think?
Finally, our time came to ride the boat out to the Arizona memorial.
My sentiments exactly.
There she is.
Do you see the oil sheen on the water? The ship had just been fully refueled before the bombing. It leaks about a quart of oil a day. Survivors of the bombing say it will continue to leak until the last survivor dies.
Looking up. Beautiful sight.
Where else can you command a ship as an E-4? Pretty sweet work.
Next, we boarded the shuttle for the trip over to Ford Island and the USS Missouri museum.
I love Quonset huts. It must be in my blood.
It's amazing to think that the battleship Missouri was in service as late as Operation Desert Storm.
The guns are so impressive.
As are these enormous chains.
The pictures just really don't do the impressiveness justice.
If you haven't noticed a theme, Jake is always drawn to the armament.
He attempts to break this one down. It was rusted shut. Bummer.
I had no idea her deck was wooden. It's quite a contrast with the otherwise modern look.
More Okinawa references. We're famous.
Jake had visibly been in pain for quite some time, but about this point he couldn't hack it anymore. We didn't spend much time exploring below, but we did find the Chaplain's office.
Besides, it was time for us to check into the hotel.
The End
Things have really changed in the 23 years since I visited the USS Arizona monument on my high school graduation trip. When we were here 20 years ago on our honeymoon, it was closed for the upcoming 50 year anniversary re-dedication. When I shipped off the older two boys to meet Cliff here for the tiger cruise 9 years ago, it was closed for more renovations. It was so obvious that much thought and work has gone into this complex. There is so much to see.
We started out at the USS Bowfin. I think almost anyone would be interested in touring a real live submarine...but this was especially special to us, because this submarine was like my grandpa's submarine, the USS Sailfish. We were super excited to check it out.
This is the view looking back at the shore from the deck. Isn't it a beautiful park?
It must have been so fun to be a submariner and get to play with all this stuff every day.
Even if you did have to sleep stacked three high.
In this passageway, some of the racks were pulled up during the day to make room to pass.
Space was at a real premium, so every bit of it had to be used. Racks were stashed wherever there was room.
I loved the little utilitarian details. No room for a watercooler...and no such thing as disposable cups.
This looks like my mixer on steroids. I love this little galley kitchen. It reminds me of my own. I remember my grandpa talking about how good the food was aboard the submarines. He said that generally, the smaller the boat, the better the food. Hopefully that applies to home kitchens, too.
Galley area. Notice the lip around the table in case things get a little bumpy.
I loved all this retro stuff. This typewriter is especially awesome.
Coming back topside after our tour below.
As we were leaving, we had to pass a table containing souvenir newspapers featuring the pics they take as you enter the exhibit. They said this is a replica of the real newspaper from the day of the attack. Ten bucks, that goes toward the foundation in charge of all this wonderful preservation. I would have bought it if the lady was spending the money at Target on her way home, because as I've mentioned before, I am a complete sucker for all these tourist photo traps.
Look...it's home!
Am I taking a picture of the beautiful mural...or the cute Mennonite couple? You know me...what do you think?
Finally, our time came to ride the boat out to the Arizona memorial.
My sentiments exactly.
There she is.
Do you see the oil sheen on the water? The ship had just been fully refueled before the bombing. It leaks about a quart of oil a day. Survivors of the bombing say it will continue to leak until the last survivor dies.
Looking up. Beautiful sight.
Where else can you command a ship as an E-4? Pretty sweet work.
Next, we boarded the shuttle for the trip over to Ford Island and the USS Missouri museum.
I love Quonset huts. It must be in my blood.
It's amazing to think that the battleship Missouri was in service as late as Operation Desert Storm.
The guns are so impressive.
As are these enormous chains.
The pictures just really don't do the impressiveness justice.
If you haven't noticed a theme, Jake is always drawn to the armament.
He attempts to break this one down. It was rusted shut. Bummer.
I had no idea her deck was wooden. It's quite a contrast with the otherwise modern look.
More Okinawa references. We're famous.
Jake had visibly been in pain for quite some time, but about this point he couldn't hack it anymore. We didn't spend much time exploring below, but we did find the Chaplain's office.
Besides, it was time for us to check into the hotel.
The End
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