A Day in New York City Aboard The USS Intrepid
My father is a history buff... always has been. Growing up we had two televisions, one was a small portable black and white set and the other a large colored one that was housed in my parents' bedroom. On Sundays we would all watch television together. Sometimes it was a family movie. Often it was a historical documentary. The World at War, The Winds of War and like titles were what my father preferred. Most of the content was lost on me, too young to fully understand war, the casualties, loss and the repercussions. But still because it was television and because it was on, I would hang out with my parents. They sat on their bed and I sat on the big comfy chair, ottoman pushed in and my made my home there. I would have my paper, coloring books and colored pencils with me to keep me company.
I was never a history buff myself. I'm sure it's because my teachers made it tellement boring. What I always needed and what was always lacking, in my opinion, was the human element. This is why when I finally began taking art history classes at prep school in England, my world opened up and changed. Through art, which tells the story by sharing the human component, I started to enjoy history. And now that I am older with children of my own I have a new love and new interest for the history of my country (and the world) and the men who have fought so hard to protect my country (and the world).
As my husband tried to read about the history behind all these planes -- (I think there were roughly 24 on the flight deck, and more below in the belly of the ship) I couldn't as I had a very wandering, whiny Alexander to watch, I focused instead on the art and beauty of the aircraft themselves.
Does this plane not some Disney-esque appearance about it? I don't know... I see Dumbo-looking plane! The spout coming out of the top of the is how this plane refuels itself in mid-air. We saw quite a few aircraft with these in various places.
We witnessed American and world history first-hand yesterday. It was awesome and amazing. And incredibly eye-opening. With all that has been going on lately within our own government, with our future history sitting precariously on a ledge, everything about yesterday was such a juxtaposition... the old war ship and war planes that had worked so hard and have seen so much sitting idyllically and peacefully in modern times... the old war ship and planes who fought in far lands and over vast oceans resting tranquilly in Manhattan's harbor...
Perhaps what struck me most was when we were in the belly of the USS Intrepid. I was listening to a grandfather (slightly younger than my own father) tell his grandson (about Rebecca's age) all about the chopper they were standing in front of...(pictured above) How he flew it... How it felt to be inside the small aircraft and what it was like to fly it.
We got to board the Concorde which has long been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl these magnificent planes that graced the air with record speed have always fascinated me. My grandfather flew them when he was working in California and living in Europe. He always complained that they were small and cramped and not very comfortable at all. I never truly believed him. Until yesterday! This long, wide-winged bird has a cabin that is no wider than that of a small commuter plane! I was amazed. I was also struck by how small the window were on the outside, just a couple of inches in diameter. My husband thought this might have something to do with causing too much drag. As we went into the plane we did try to locate which seats we thought my grandfather might have sat in!
In the belly of the Intrepid is where the museum lies with various exhibits and interactive activities for the children, and more planes.
The USS Crawler, a submarine commissioned during the Cold War set out to sea in 1962. It housed 88 men including crew. I was amazed at how narrow and cramped everything was below. These men lived in tight quarters... and I only saw 2 toilets!
To the men and women of our country who have fought our World Wars, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Cold War and the wars of today... I humbly salute you!
To learn more about the Intrepid please visit their website: The Intrepid, Sea, Air and Space Museum
I was never a history buff myself. I'm sure it's because my teachers made it tellement boring. What I always needed and what was always lacking, in my opinion, was the human element. This is why when I finally began taking art history classes at prep school in England, my world opened up and changed. Through art, which tells the story by sharing the human component, I started to enjoy history. And now that I am older with children of my own I have a new love and new interest for the history of my country (and the world) and the men who have fought so hard to protect my country (and the world).
Aboard the USS Intrepid looking out at the New York Skyline
Rebecca, above, on the massive flight deck of the USS Intrepid.
The view of the New York City Skyline from one of the decks way up in the "cockpit"
which is such a stark contrast to her days at sea...
which is such a stark contrast to her days at sea...
Our past and past, present and future all before me... I sit and wonder and marvel at the view ahead... Fighter planes of the past resting regally on the flight deck of the massive USS Intrepid who came to rest and call New York Harbor her home...
As my husband tried to read about the history behind all these planes -- (I think there were roughly 24 on the flight deck, and more below in the belly of the ship) I couldn't as I had a very wandering, whiny Alexander to watch, I focused instead on the art and beauty of the aircraft themselves.
Does this plane not some Disney-esque appearance about it? I don't know... I see Dumbo-looking plane! The spout coming out of the top of the is how this plane refuels itself in mid-air. We saw quite a few aircraft with these in various places.
We witnessed American and world history first-hand yesterday. It was awesome and amazing. And incredibly eye-opening. With all that has been going on lately within our own government, with our future history sitting precariously on a ledge, everything about yesterday was such a juxtaposition... the old war ship and war planes that had worked so hard and have seen so much sitting idyllically and peacefully in modern times... the old war ship and planes who fought in far lands and over vast oceans resting tranquilly in Manhattan's harbor...
Perhaps what struck me most was when we were in the belly of the USS Intrepid. I was listening to a grandfather (slightly younger than my own father) tell his grandson (about Rebecca's age) all about the chopper they were standing in front of...(pictured above) How he flew it... How it felt to be inside the small aircraft and what it was like to fly it.
We got to board the Concorde which has long been a dream of mine. Ever since I was a little girl these magnificent planes that graced the air with record speed have always fascinated me. My grandfather flew them when he was working in California and living in Europe. He always complained that they were small and cramped and not very comfortable at all. I never truly believed him. Until yesterday! This long, wide-winged bird has a cabin that is no wider than that of a small commuter plane! I was amazed. I was also struck by how small the window were on the outside, just a couple of inches in diameter. My husband thought this might have something to do with causing too much drag. As we went into the plane we did try to locate which seats we thought my grandfather might have sat in!
In the belly of the Intrepid is where the museum lies with various exhibits and interactive activities for the children, and more planes.
The USS Crawler, a submarine commissioned during the Cold War set out to sea in 1962. It housed 88 men including crew. I was amazed at how narrow and cramped everything was below. These men lived in tight quarters... and I only saw 2 toilets!
To the men and women of our country who have fought our World Wars, The Korean War, The Vietnam War, The Cold War and the wars of today... I humbly salute you!
To learn more about the Intrepid please visit their website: The Intrepid, Sea, Air and Space Museum