Norfolk, VA

A Mermaid Fountain

Had to get the housekeeping under control this morning so Dennis changed the fuel filters while I went to the grocery.  After that we were free to enjoy this town.  We walked around the downtown and found that it was all been renovated since 1970, leaving a beautiful waterfront area and lively restaurant area.  On the drive to the grocery I saw some really nice residential areas, plenty of big trees and nicely tended areas.  The corporate/business area downtown also looks prosperous and modern. We also learned very quickly that mermaids are the Norfolk “town mascot”

Mermaid covered with museum entrance stickers

There are mermaids everywhere – and much like civic art in other towns, some are permanent and some are part of a promotion to make sure there are an artist’s rendition of the mermaid on corners and fountains, and even the roof of a big bank.

We went to a great “museum/educational facility” called Nautica.  It is a Navy museum, as well as having lots of info on sea life and marine research.  Our main objective was to tour the battleship Wisconsin, which is permanently berthed here, and open to the public.   Its….. HUGE.   That’s it, just impressively huge.   Wisconsin has served in Iraq, Korea, WWII and only taken one damaging shot.   The ship is the length of 3 football fields and it had one four foot hole shot in a top deck, once.  For Desert Storm the ship was outfitted with Tomahawk missiles. 

On the foredeck of the Wisconsin

We were able to walk through the crew quarters, the communication center, the offices and all over inside and out.  It was set up as it was during the last deployment – and it’s amazing to consider what they could accomplish with the technology at the time.  The radio room alone had dozens of large radios set up so that they could monitor various frequencies.  We can do something similar with the little radio we now have on the helm of Reunion.

Each of these military memorials really makes you remember and appreciate all the men and women who have served our country.  A fitting experience as Memorial Day approaches this weekend. 

Yesterday in the drydock

Today alongside the drydock