USS Alabama

This past weekend we had planned to visit New Orleans while my parents were there, but some nasty weather influenced us to stay a little closer to home.  We split the difference and headed to Mobile, Alabama and visited the battleship USS Alabama.

It was a really great decision and we were very impressed with the ship.  I have never been on a battleship and it was great that you could go over the entire vessel.  From the very top all the way down to the engine room.  The kids had a great time climbing ladders and also going down them.  I would have had a more enjoyable experience if I wasn't constantly afraid that Molly was going to throw herself down a flight of stairs, over the side of the ship, or just get through a small area faster than those of us who have a slightly larger build and get lost.

But, in the end, we all survived unscathed and Eric took command of Molly, so I got to relax a bit more.  It was a good decision for everyone. 

A highlight for the kids was at the very top of the tour where they could pretend to steer the boat.  Will kept asking if they could stay in the 'kids area'.  Another favorite spot was the gun turrets.  They could go up into the turret and climb around and see where everything was loaded. 

If Eric were writing this, he could label the different guns and give a little more explanation about how they worked (he actually found an old documentary on it), but as he isn't I will just say that here is Will at the helm of a gun of some size or other. 

Pretty cool shot, huh?

I discovered that I must have a slight case of claustrophobia as I seemed to get a little short of breath the lower we went into the vessel.  It was all very interesting and I am amazed at everything they were able to include on a ship.   I also enjoyed the times I was able to read some descriptions before chasing Molly.

 

 I know that I would not be able to spend so long on a boat, no matter how large.  Then we went on a submarine.  WOW!!  It was perfect for Molly, but I couldn't imagine having to stay in that confined area for longer than it took us to walk through it. 

Reading back over this, I didn't do the experience justice.  I should have Eric write this post, but who knows when it would get done?  To see what humans are capable of creating is amazing.  The engine room had thousands of little knobs and someone had to know what each of those knobs did.  Then the matter of guns and ordering when and where to fire all while being fired upon.  It boggles my mind.  

After our tour we stopped in the gift shop to get a few souvenirs.  The boys each got a hat, Dom is a sailor and Will got the captain's hat.  They've been playing battleship ever since.