On the way
to Charleston today, we took a side trip down a dirt road. We are lucky the car
didn’t fall apart. This is what we found…
Can you
believe this tree? Some say it’s 2500 years old and others, 1400 years old. No
matter, it was tall and sprawling. We couldn’t believe how many people were
there. It’s called “Angel Oak”. We bought a sand dollar that has the photo of
it on it so we will always remember our trip.
From there,
we took more back roads to Charleston and ended up at Patriot’s Point where we
toured the USS Yorktown aircraft carrier. The ship was born the same day and
year as Perry, April 15, 1943. It was HUGE-AH!!!! I would never have survived
World War II, let alone going up and down the steps on that ship. My knees and
hips hurt so much tonite! Perry bonked his head a couple of times but I’m too
short for that. You don’t really see the steepness from the pictures, but trust
me…
There are 6
tours of the ship and we did all but 2 in 2.5 hours. You can have lunch in the CPO’s mess for a nominal fee. One of the tours included
the bakery. Imagine making chocolate chip cookies for 3,500 men/women!
On board was
a museum for men and women who were awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.
We, of course, were interested in the ones during the Civil War. The youngest
recipient was Willie Johnston, age 12. Older soldiers, during a disastrous
retreat, threw away their equipment so they would have less weight to carry.
Willie kept his drum and brought it off the battlefield. Lincoln awarded Willie
the Medal when Willie was 13.
Another interesting recipient was William H.
Carney. He was a black assigned to the 54th Massachusetts Regiment
and his bravery had to do with flags. From last year’s blog, you know my
affinity for flags. You can read more about him here. http://www.newbedford.k12.ma.us/elementary/whc.htm
In the price of the ticket was the Vietnam Naval Support Base replica which reminded us of the MASH set. We
could have visited the destroyer, USS Laffey, and the submarine, USS Clamagore, but
we were tired and wanted to beat rush hour traffic. It was easier for me to assist Perry navigating in Charleston than it was in Savannah. It helps when you stop at
the Visitor’s Center and they have typed directions for you to follow (smile).
If you ever get a chance to visit Patriot's Point, it’s well worth the money.
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAfter visiting the Yorktown, I am still glad I joined the army instead of the navy. I'd have gotten lost on that ship for sure and the sleeping arrangements were way less accommodating than my army barracks.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Took a troop ship to Germany and back. Could hardly roll over in the bunks, but the food was not too bad. North Atlantic in January was pretty...cool! Bob F
DeleteGreat tree, but the age did catch this old forestry school grads attention. Published estimates put it at between 500-600 years, which is not unimpressive! Believe the worlds oldest living tree as verified by annual ring count is a bristle cone pine in the western U.S. at 5062-63 years. Been enjoying your adventures. Bob F
ReplyDeleteThank you Professor...I thought what I wrote seemed unusually old. Glad your forestry knowledge came in handy!
DeleteLoved reading this...so fun to travel vicariously through you:-)
ReplyDelete