Last week, I traveled to San Diego for the Romance Writers of America (RWA) Annual Conference. I arrived a few days early to soak up the local sights, including the USS Midway.
From USSMidway.com,
Prepare yourself for a lifetime memory aboard San Diego's top attraction. You'll explore a floating city at sea and relive nearly 50 years of world history aboard the longest-serving Navy aircraft carrier of the 20th century.
Exhibits range from the crew's sleeping quarters to a massive galley, engine room, the ship's jail, officer's country, post office, machine shops, and pilots' ready rooms, as well as primary flight control and the bridge high in the island over the flight deck. Especially popular are the museum docents you'll meet throughout the ship. Each is eager to share a personal story, an anecdote, or amazing statistic, adding to your amazement throughout your adventure.
The USS Midway is docked along the Navy Pier in San Diego's Embarcadero waterfront.
The USS Midway is the 41st carrier vehicle - CV 41.
According to Navy tradition, the ship's bell informs the crew of the time ... and when to change crew for watch.
John Paul Jones, father of the US Navy, invites tourists to join the adventure ...
Sign on and sail with me
Our will is to keep
the torch of freedom burning for all.
Heed my call
Come to the seas
Come sail with me.
I walked into the hanger deck that felt like a large warehouse ...a floating warehouse!
The aircraft is lovingly restored by volunteers.
I was curious about the VF-161. From its website (link),
On 1 February 1971, the squadron was attached to CVW-5 and the USS Midway. In March 1971 the squadron returned to duty for its fifth combat deployment and flew 1168 combat sorties. The Chargers left for its sixth SEA deployment in April of 1972, again on the USS Midway. During combat operations the squadron downed five enemy MiG aircraft, flew 2322 sorties, and was on the line for 205 days. The squadron returned on 3 March 1973 to commence turnaround training.
Have you visited any military museum? One randomly selected commenter from this week's blog posts wins a book choice from my convention stash. Comments are open through Saturday, July 23, 10 pm in Baltimore. I'll post the winner on Sunday, July 24.
Mahalo,
Kim in Baltimore
Aloha Spirit in Charm City
Next: Crew Quarters ....
No I haven't don't know if there is one closeby...
ReplyDeleteThere's one in Mobile, AL on the USS ALABAMA. It was interesting to say the least.
ReplyDeleteI have been to the Cradle of Aviation air & space museum in Garden City, NY.
ReplyDeleteI've been to the USS Intrepid a few times.
ReplyDeleteHi Kim! Glad you enjoyed the Midway. My husband and I had a fun time touring it several years ago. We should go back and check it out again.
ReplyDeleteI'm so envious! We used to live in LA for 12 years and visited San Diego several times a year then. I've been to the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton, Ohio several times. Here's a little "unknown fact" for you - it is Ohio's #1 tourist attraction! They house the Memphis Belle and it is my favorite plane there.
ReplyDeleteI have visited many. I visited The Midway and then Groton has an old submarine and in San Diego, there is a Marine Air Museum and not far from Palm Springs is Patton's Museum. We visit them wherever we go.
ReplyDeleteYes Catigny in Wheaton, IL....It's in honor of the Big Red One!
ReplyDeleteI have in Toronto, Ontario, it is very small though and not much to see.
ReplyDeleteI've been thru the air craft carrier museum in Charleston SC, and lots of Civil War museums.
ReplyDeleteNot one that was solely for military but museums that had sections dedicated to it. Great post with all the pics and info.
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