Underwater & Overfed

Monday, June 5

Bushnell's 1775 Submersible

Still raining off and on. We tidied up, shook rugs, swept the floor, pulled in the slides and headed south to an Elks Club in Groton, CT, where we can leave the MH while we’re in NYC. It’s past noon when we arrive and Greg’s anxious to visit the Submarine Force Museum in New London, so as soon as we’re settled, we’re out again, looking for a lunch stop along the way. Nothing appears before we reach New London, but the museum is engrossing. Greg has fond memories of the few months he spent on the USS Argonaut back in 1967, so everything here interests him. Most of the technology is lost on me, but I was amazed at how far back people were obsessed with finding a way to move around underwater. The Bushnell Turtle blew me away – I cannot imagine being in that thing. (Then again, I didn’t build it –  I suppose I’d be a lot more confident in my own creation.) Eventually we went outside and toured the USS Nautilus (first nuclear sub, decommissioned in 1980). It’s always fun to see how folks make efficient use of small spaces. We finished up w/ a movie and, of course, the gift shop for a postcard to send Greg’s mom. 

Greg has this patch sewn on his 
driving (not diving) suit.

...humanity's first large-scale use of
controlled nuclear power.

We walked thru and, I was impressed with its efficient use of space.
I could handle tight quarters, but not being underwater. 

Diving Bell 
(for emergency evacuation)

We spent more time here than (sadly) we will later spend at the Sept 11 Memorial. Seriously hungry by now, we drove around a few streets that seemed promising but didn’t deliver. Greg was up for pasta, so we paused to get some help from Google. We found a highly rated hole-in-the-wall place on the water, but it was closed. Number 2 spot, however, was not only open but known for innovative touches on traditional items.  A little pricey, but by now this is lunch/dinner, so we’re good. I really wished we were in the area longer so we could try some other items.

BlogThoughts…  While we were checking out the submarine museum, a small group of military guys in fatigues came in. They were young, and they had worksheets to fill out indicating what they’d seen and/or learned. Just like something I would have done with 9th graders on a field trip!  (And that diving bell? The concept  was first described by Aristotle in the 4th century BC!)