"It is in the wild places, where the edge of the earth meets the corners of the sky, the human spirit is fed." Art Wolf


Saturday, February 1, 2014

Of Ships and Fancy Hotels

The dogs had a quiet morning between wrestling in the rig and taking walks.   Then they got abandoned for the afternoon.   Lyn picked me up and we drove down towards the Maritime Museum were I got to scope out a few old ships.....


The retired Ferry Boat parked in the marina that serves as the dock for several of the boats and the gift shop also served as the ferry boat that Lyn said that she took everyday back in San Francisco.


Sleeping quarters on the Dolphin submarine.  


I am thinking that cutting holes in the hull were not popular.




Later you will read that the Dolphin was decommissioned in 2007.   Walking around inside and looking around, so much looked more like 1968 technology.


The captains shower isn't even as big as the shower in Nan's new RV.



After the Dolphin I got to walk through the Medea. It was originally build for a wealthy Scottish family. The family used it to travel around Scotland and England.  Traveling by water was easier that the roads during the early part of the century.  During WWI and WWII it was commissioned by the British Government for service during the wars and then returned to its private owner after each war. 


Fancy Dining.....


A quiet place to share a cocktail and a smoke, back in the day.....


Not all the boats were so carefully restored or had been that high class to begin with.   This rudders has stories it could tell about miles at sea and years of water and wind.....



This was a Russian sub that was used during the cold wars and during the years of the Cuban Missile Crisis.   When the submarines were decommissioned many were just trashed and or left on a beach for salvage hunters.  The B-39 was one of two that were saved.


Looking across towards the 150 year old Star of India and the city.


Just like in the movies....the torpedo room.   Many areas of the ships reminded me of old movie shots.




If I had paid more attention on the deck before climbing up and into the sub I would have been properly warmed that there were a series of these entrance doors between cambers that have to be navigated.  I a climbed through them I was hoping that Russian sailors were short guys.



Again....imagine understanding what all these dials, knobs and gauges do and mean......   and wonder how much is monitored by computer now......






 Captain 3rd Rank......someone had to ensure compliance.....

 


Thinking of the paper sheets, etc.....gives some perspective to those dusty, sandy sheets in Mexico. 

And sleeping in the bunks there in the engine room might have been a bit noisy.


This ship was closed for maintenance today.   Just think Pirates of the Caribbean....






But the Star of India was open.  In fact they were set up for a wedding on the top deck.  Not bad down here for the first class.


If you were a passenger would you be impressed or worried to have a surgeon on board...... these were his instruments.




The ship had many different "lives" in its heyday.   During the early part of the last century the ship was used in Alaska for the fishing and shipping industry. Men were attracted to sign on with the promise of a share of the profit from the salmon that would be hauled back.   Unfortunately the ships the company sent north got frozen in the ice for the winter after the successful salmon catch and the men ate most of the salmon to survive.  They returned with very little for their 6 months away.   But then two of the wooden hulled ships were crushed by the ice, so being hired on a ship made of iron did have its benefits.


Which do you find most interesting, that the first class folks had a bucket to use in the very small "head" or that the museum had to put clear plastic across the top of the seat so that no one would try to use it.?


On the way back to Lyn's car I saw the wedding sign.   Guess the couple today didn't want the Wednesday deal.


Lyn, people watching.   Two cruise ships were in so she claims there was plenty of entertainment....well, besides that library book.....



This sail boat is part of the museum collection. We were guessing that they must offer some cruises around the bay. 


From the water front Lyn drove us across to Coronado.  Past many neat and tidy homes of the admirals and other folks with higher incomes than other parts of San Diego.   Lyn made a pass around the Hotel De Coronado........She said that is was used as the setting for Some Like It Hot....   We drove the loop around to the front door but definitely we would have fit in better had we been in the BMW convertible with an expensive scarf around our necks tossing keys to the valet....

Lyn said that the tower on the left is full of water as part of the fire system.....The hotel is one of the last all wooden hotels that has not been destroyed by fire or time and neglect.....




After our busy afternoon. Lyn stopped by her condo to pick up patient Casey and we headed to find one of Lyn's favorite restaurants.  Yes, it was very good.


Tomorrow, the puppers and I move on to another of San Diego's fine County Parks and the dogs get longer walks.  By Monday afternoon, if they are good puppers, Sharon may let them run around her private dog park.


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