USS Alabama

We continued our tour onto the USS Alabama.  

But first some pictures of the airplanes outside.  

Walking up to the battleship 

This door is to the bridge and is very thick. 

Brody & Colt in the silver room. 

Ollie is trying to order some food in the mess hall but no one is answering him.  

Brad wanted a picture of the entire ship.  As we were leaving we stopped to get one.  Notice Brody's injury....this was before Urgent Care.  Obviously we weren't urgent enough to stop us from taking a picture.  

USS Drum Submarine

As we continued our drive to Florida we heard from a friend that we should check out the USS Alabama.   We didn't realize it was right on our path.   It was a tour and a very interesting tour and all the kids enjoyed their time exploring the USS Drum submarine and the USS Alabama.  

There were also a lot of impressive planes and helicopters outside, including this stealth bomber. 

We started off by touring the USS Drum Submarine.  

The rooms inside were so small and at one point I started to get claustrophobic. 

 I honestly can't imagine being in these cramped quarters....especially underwater. 

This is a submarine that would hold 8 people.   There is NO way I could go in here. 

After the USS Drum we went over to explore the USS Alabama, a World War 2 battleship.  

Giant Chess

We arrived back at our RV park around 5:30.  Since they didn’t have a pool we weren’t sure how we were going to stay entertained.   Thankfully the giant chess game was fun for Ollie, Darby, Bo and Brad.  

Weavin Cleveland

As we were walking back along the waterfront of New Orleans one of the kids spotted these bracelets for sale.   

After checking them out we bought them from this artist named Cleveland. It was interesting to hear his story and passion for creativity and felt good supporting his pursuits.   

Beignets at Cafe Du Monde

We had been told by a few different people that we had to try Beignets when we were in New Orleans.   Brad wanted to go to the original Cafe du Monde where beignets are infamous.   (This is similar to going to the original Starbucks at Pike Place Market)   We stood in line for about 20 minutes and then enjoyed the beignets.     So much powdered sugar! 

 

Ollie LOVED them and thought they were "real nice".  

Bourbon Street

After lunch we headed over to Bourbon Street.  We were there in the middle of the day so it was pretty tame.  But it didn’t take long for the kids to feel a bit out of place.  They were ready to leave.  It was also hot and humid so all the walking we were doing wasn't all that enjoyable. 

Brad has been to New Orleans a few different times for races and training.   He has also been on Bourbon street and seen some of the craziness.  I was asking him questions about all of it.  I saw this sign and thought it said "Balcony Diving".  I asked Brad if people really chose a restaurant if they had access to balcony diving.  Brad thought this was hilarious. 

New Orleans

We weren't sure what this day would bring but we decided to explore New Orleans.   

There is a barge across the way called Miss Darby.  

Photo op at a statue

Brad wanted to go on one of these boats but the tickets were sold out and one of the boats was in repair so it would have been hard to get them anyways. 

A random horse that Brad decided to take a picture with. 

Waiting for lunch

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Brad ordered Creole.  I ordered a Po boy sandwich.  Everyone else had hamburgers....you know classic New Orleans food.  :)