Ross dropped the dinghy in the water and we took it across the bay to the city of Hampton. Hampton was settled in 1610. Most of the historic buildings are long gone and it appears like any other city for the most part.
We wondered around the streets and stopped in a few shops. It was just too dang hot to want to do much of anything. We decided to go to the Virginia Air & Space Center and hunker down in air conditioning.
Close to Hampton is the Langley Air Force Base. Nearby NASA Langley Research Center is the original training site of the first 7 astronauts. So most of the museum was aircraft.
We were excited to see they had a B-24
on display. This is the same type of
bomber that Ross’ dad piloted in WWII.
Here’s the cockpit.
The plane itself was huge, but at the same time must have been extremely cramped for the crew. Look at how huge the landing gear is in comparison to Roscoe. And he’s no shrimp!
We had to wait an hour for the movie to start, so after wandering around the museum decided to “experience” one of the museum’s rides. It was the Cosmic Roller Coaster. Sounded good but was really cheesy. You climbed in to a simulator and it bounced around and back and forth. The only thing that made it worth the $$ was the young girls in the first seats and their reactions.
There was a film about the Hubble Telescope in the 3D IMAX theatre so we went. Very interesting. The pictures the Hubble has sent back are incredible. Much of the film was about the various shuttle trips up to repair it. Beginning with the warped mirror that needed replacing. Ross models our oh so attractive 3D glasses!
After the museum we walked across the street to a building that holds a restored carousel. Originally on this spot was the Bunch Of Grapes Tavern. Don’t you just love the name? Anyway, the tavern was built in the 1700’s but was burned by the Confederate Army along with most of the town of Hampton. This was done as a measure to keep the Union Army from occupying the town.
There is a restaurant at the marina called the Surf Side and we were told they serve excellent seafood. We have dined out more on this leg than any other as we are taking advantage of all the fresh seafood. Ross asked the waitress what the favorite item was, so we ordered it. A crab cake, 4 shrimp and hush puppies. The crab cake (Ruby you would have thought you’d died and gone to heaven) was pure lump crab with some seasoning and broiled. No crumbs, just crab. And the 4 shrimp were gigantic. Hush Puppies were A #1. We were stuffed, but it was way too good not to finish it!!!!
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