When my friend Jen was planning her family vacation, she invited us along, and we said, "Why not?!" She was kind enough to ask our input on where to go. We threw out a few ideas, all along the east coast before deciding on Charleston, South Carolina. Our friends arrived a few days before we did, and we stayed a day longer than them just because the flights were cheaper for us.
On Tuesday, July 27, we drove to The Parking Spot to park our car, took their shuttle to the airport
made the trek through the ridiculously long tunnel in the "new and improved" Salt Lake Airport, and began our flight journey to Charleston.
The kids had to do a Buddy the Elf on the escalator.
We were so excited to get our first glimpse of Charleston from the air!
And the ground.
We grabbed every tourist pamphlet that caught our attention, picked up our rental car, loaded our luggage, and happily ripped our masks off! It was hot and humid out! Rain was in the forecast and so was heat! We grabbed some dinner and then checked into our hotel in West Ashley. Our friends happily welcomed us. We made some plans for the next day, settled in, and went to sleep...eventually.
The next morning, we got up, had breakfast, and headed over to Patriot's Point in Mt. Pleasant, across this awesome bridge in Charleston Harbor.
It was raining, so we bought a few umbrellas in the gift shop, took a group picture, and rode the covered shuttle over to the U.S.S. Yorktown.
Michael, of course, was in heaven touring around this former aircraft carrier that was built during World War II.
I can't be on an aircraft carrier without thinking about my dad, and Gabe modeled the dental chair this time to pay respect to Dad's life aboard and aircraft carrier.
Gabe and Hayley pose next to some food in the mess hall
Boiler room control games:
Descending the stairs/ladders
And now Brian and Michael take over the narration:
This is the engine room
Going back up the stairs/ladders
Michael in front of the "Doolittle Room"
Gabe and Rachel posing with Their buddies after a successful flight
Owen talking with Michael, "Hal", and "Leonard"
Me and Devri posing in front of what looks to be an F8F Bearcat
Michael ready to fly in his F4U(If only he could)
Devri and Jen
There was also a spaceship simulator on the hanger
Another view of that awesome bridge from the hanger-with Devri in it
Me and Gabe
Michael briefing the flight crew
Michael, Owen, Hayley, and Rachel in front of an F-18
Devri and Rachel in front of an A-7
Michael, Rachel, and Gabe in front of the same plane (which was most likely on the U.S.S. Ranger when Dad was serving on that carrier).
It was pouring all morning, but when we went into the ship, it stopped. Luckily it was pretty warm, so we were able to wear shorts sleeve and shorts/skirts
The jet engines were removed from the planes, so you could look through the mounts
An unexpected raid sent the crews running to man the antiaircraft guns
Gabe at the helm
The observer's deck
Captain Gabe on deck!
Michael on "vulture's row"
Also on Vultures row
View of the flight deck from a spot on the tower
And the destroyer
He was a little too comfortable in this chair.
There was a memorial hall inside the Yorktown with a bridge type area surrounded on both sides by motion-activated screens. As soon as you started walking across it, the screens started lighting up with battle images. Naturally, Michael was "hit" and his faithful comrade Owen dragged him out of the fray.
After touring the Yorktown, we headed to the Submarine USS Clamagore, which has been designated a National Historic Landmark. Rachel really didn't want to go inside, and I don't really blame her. It was quite rusty and looked a little sketchy, but I made her go in at least the first couple of rooms.
So, here she is, dutifully venturing into the submarine.
Along with Haylee and Lorelai. After this, Rachel headed out of the sub with one of these ladies. I can't remember which one, but I think it was Haylee.
The rest of us braved the remaining areas of the sub.
Michael, naturally, loved exploring the submarine.
As did Gabe.
Here's a view from 4 different angles.
This is the officers mess hall. It is SO small! I don't think that Navy life is the life for me, especially not naval submarine life!
I mean, have you seen the doors in this thing?
Not to mention the sleeping quarters. Some of those guys have to sleep on top of the torpedos!
Brian humored me with a photo looking into the bright sky.
Charleston Harbor
Back side of the Yorktown and the Destroyer.
Here's most of our group:
And Jen and I.
After boarding the USS Laffey (the destroyer), it was imperative to have another council meeting.
This is how many enemy Star Wars Guns, Palm Trees, and Airplanes the Laffey destroyed.
The U.S.S. Laffey was involved in the capture and defense of Guadalcanal, the invasion of Normandy, the Iwo Jima Operation, the Okinawa Gunto Operation, and a fee things during Korea.
On board the battleship, there was a battle simulation with footage from an actual battle where that particular area of the ship was hit, killing half the people in the room we were standing in. It was a sobering program, and I left feeling very grateful for those who fought all those battles during World War II.
After spending most of the day at Patriot's Point, we found a place to eat dinner. Rachel wanted onion rings, and those onion rings were HUGE. The food was really good.
We went back to the hotel , made some plans for the next day, and went to bed (obviously in shifts.)
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