The Countdown begins.......

It's 10 days until I leave for a cruise to Bermuda! I am really looking forward to it as it's been over 7 years since I've taken a real vacation (one where there will be no phones ringing!!!!). We're booked on a 5 day Royal Carribean cruise out of Norfolk. With the new terminal at Nauticus, there's no need to fly somewhere to catch the boat. We will depart Norfolk on Saturday at about 5pm and return back on Thursday morning. I'm looking forward to touring the island, the Royal Navy Dockyard (which is primarily a bunch of shops now that the British Navy has turned it over to the civilian authorities), the Confederate Museum which focuses on blockade running and visiting the remains of one of the anti-torpedo rafts used by the Monitors during the WBTS. The remains washed up in Dolly's Bay off St. David's Island after being lost off Cape Hatteras while being towed to Charleston. My buddy, Mike Kochan, has been to the site so I am hoping he can give me directions as it's just sitting on shore, rusting away.

100 Degree Heat and Living History!

I'm glad it's 90 degrees today. It's a far cry better than what I experienced last Saturday. The 5NC participated in its 3rd Davenport House Heritage Day last Saturday. The one day event is a combination area-family reunion, fundraiser for the site and living history program. Our group attends to portray and commemorate Daniel Davenport's service in the 5NC. Daniel's real claim to fame, however, was his election as the first state senator from Washington County. The homestead illustrates a very simple, modest life for the Davenport family with none of the trapings such as those found at Somerset Place, a plantation on Lake Phelps. We had no casualties but it was extremely hot in the afternoon as we lost the morning shade once the sun reached its zenith and began its descent in the western sky. Visitation was pretty typical with approximately 250 visitors stopping in for our musket demonstrations and historical discusssions. After packing up for the drive home (12 minutes..my closest event!), all of us began to feel the effects of the sun and the heat. I am certainly glad we were not wearing wool!!!! Hopefully next year, things will be much cooler!

You never know who will cross your path...

The Mariner's Museum was a bit slow compared to my previous Saturdays working there with only about 112 people visiting the Monitor Center. In my opinion, things were slow due to the beautiful weather luring people to the beach. However, the day certainly was not uneventful as I met several people with some truly intriquing questions. Also, I was fortunate to meet Patrick Mooney, manager of visitor services and docents for the National Museum of the Marine Corps at Quantico, Va. This was his first visit to the museum but his wife's second as she attended the grand opening weekend two years ago. Patrick and his wife thought they had set aside a sufficient amount of time for touring the museum (3 hours) but found out very quickly that they really needed a whole day! While we were talking, Patrick gave me an update on some new exhibits at the Marine Corps Museum. In the coming months, they will be expanding their displays on the early years of the corps. This got me a wee bit excited as my friend, Andrew Duppstadt, was a bit disappointed at the lack of exhibits highlighted the Civil War-era US Marine upon visiting the museum a couple of months ago. Patrick has invited our marines to go up once the new exhibit is opened and my let them bring a few sailors!!! With these additions, I can't wait to visit. Interactions such as these are why I love working at the Mariner's Museum. You never know the questions you will get or the people you will meet!