May 29, Day 338 – In Norfolk

Today we explored Hampton. The area where we are has 3 main cities: Norfolk, Portsmouth and Hampton. They are commonly referred to as Hampton Roads. Hampton has a great museum: The Virginia Air and Space Museum. This is a great place for people of all ages. Almost everything there is interactive and many displays are simulations. There is a lot to keep kids entertained and plenty for adults too. We spent several hours walking through the museum and then ended up at the IMAX theatre to watch Shrek, the Final Chapter. It was a truly delightful movie.

Back at the boat we relaxed a bit and did a few odds and ends. Then we headed out to eat. The kids had decided on pizza. We went back to the same restaurant we had been to a couple of nights ago: the Vineyards. Once again it was great food. We highly recommend it to anyone traveling in the Norfolk area. You won’t be disappointed.

Back at the boat we worked on blogs/logs/e-mail stuff and then off to bed. Tomorrow we are taking the boat out for a cruise so the kids can experience the ocean and the Chesapeake Bay.

Today when we woke up, we noticed we had BIG company -- a cruise ship parked right next door.

This is the Virginia Air and Space Museum -- a very fun place

Andrew and Gerry rode in the Simulated Ride Vehicle. Here, before the ride, they both had big smiles.

During the ride, one person flys the plane and the other operates the guns. When you are upside down (as in this picture), things aren't going too well.

However, at the end of the ride, they both had even bigger smiles. As a matter of fact, before we left the museum, they went on the flight simulated ride again. Gerry admitted that Drew was the better pilot.

This is the Apollo 12 Command Module

A painting on the nose of a plane. During the war, the artwork painted on the noses of US planes reflected the outlook on the life of the men who flew them. (Gerry goes by Grumpa to his grandkids, so this was pretty close for him)

Derrick was really attracted to this flight simulator. He said he could "take off" pretty good, but his landings left alot to be desired.

We wandered through the waterfront of Hampton. This guy had obviously been at sea too long.

The marina at the Hampton waterfront. The significance of this picture is that on the weekend of June 16-17, 2006, we picked up our boat from this very location. Bill and Ruth (Integrity) brought the boat - then Integrity - to Hampton and we picked it up and cruised to Annapolis.