On the Road Again with Merle

[osoverride]

Being new around here sucks sometimes. WIsh I could get in on this because it sounds really fun and I travel a lot which can make for some cool pics. Still, I love the porch and I'm excited to read through this whole damn thread.

 

[sbh06]

Merle continues to have great taste in bourbon and scotch, BigKurtHaze .

 

[Old Engineer]

Sorry John Lee, two scotches.
View attachment 2042403

Nice photo and a nice knife and Scotch , but have you tried some Oban yet ????

Harry

 

[btb01]

Getting Merle down the road here real soon. Haven’t been doing dry January or anything, but not much time to sit back and enjoy when you’re chasing a sixteen month old around. Michael is with his Oma for a few more minutes, he has been spending Tuesdays with her for months, but now they’re starting a music class Tuesday nights at church, so he’s not home before I get home from work.

Anyway, thought I’d reach back in the cupboard and get ol’ Merle a taste. View attachment 2042304

Hmm, what else we got in there?
View attachment 2042357

Definitely some nice beverage options, Kurt! Thanks again for hosting Merle!

Just an update for everyone. I’ve removed Wurrwulf from the host list as he never replied to Kurt’s request for his address, and hasn’t posted on the forum since April. (Has anyone heard from him? I hope everything’s ok.) I also removed another member who was unable to host, which means Merle only has two stops left! I’m looking forward to his last couple visits.

 

[BigKurtHaze]

… Merle only has two stops left! I’m looking forward to his last couple visits.

I regret to report I failed to see Merle off before the weekend, sorry for the delay.

Spending way too much time at work these days. I did take off yesterday afternoon to watch my Seahawks, and had a few minutes of daylight with my boy and Merle.
Pardon the man glitter, was drilling TJIs.


Merle caught a double rainbow at work today.

And a couple more of Michael and Merle.

 

[sbh06]

Merle has arrived in Old Dominion!!! A quick pic while we supervise my son’s karate practice from the car, but Merle has told me how much he looks forward to seeing the sights, including the Historic Triangle, Virginia Beach, and Smithfield.

 

[sbh06]

Merle got nautical this week, going to the Mariners' Museum and Park. A large portion of the museum is dedicated to the USS MONITOR and CSS VIRGINIA (prior USS MERRIMACK).

The Hampton Roads area is rich in history, both from the Revolutionary War and Civil War:

First up he encountered this restored 9" Dahlgren gun from CSS VIRGINIA:

Next, we found a recreation of the USS MONITOR revolving gun turret as found by NOAA and the US Navy, followed by a replica of what the gun turret would have looked like onboard the ship. Note that the gun turret was found upside down, as evidenced in the first picture below.

Merle encountered a much older relative found in the wreckage of the MONITOR.

Our tour of artifacts found was MONITOR's restored propeller and anchor.

After seeing all of the display items, Merle went to the conservation area of the museum to see the ongoing efforts to restore additional components from the MONITOR. First was a gun from the gun turret.

Next was the revolving gun turret. Merle was very impressed.

Finally, he saw the 30-ton steam engine used to turn the ship's propeller.

If you are interested, this is the process used and reason for electrochemical treatment of MONITOR's components.

After seeing all of the amazing things that were housed onboard the ship, Merle wondered what the MONITOR would have looked like prior to her sinking. Thankfully, the museum has a full size USS MONITOR replica that he stood in admiration of on the deck.

Edit: corrected the replica gun turret picture.

 

[sbh06]

After seeing all this work to restore USS MONITOR, Merle wondered what else the museum had to offer so off we went. There was an exhibit dedicated to the American efforts to race in the America's Cup that Merle thought was pretty cool. We then proceeded to the Naval History section of the museum.

We found the bunting used on the bow of USS NORFOLK when she was commissioned in 1981, still in remarkably good shape.

Next Merle saw the instruments needed to control movement of a submarine. It looked very complex and Merle was thankful for the intelligent men and women that operate these Engineering marvels.

Merle then saw the "submariners dolphins", a pin earned by submariners after “Having successfully completed the rigorous professional requirements for qualification in submarines, having gained a through knowledge of submarine construction and operation, having demonstrated his reliability under stress, and having my full confidence and trust, I hereby certify that he is qualified in submarines”.

Merle thought with all of the hard work that these submariners put in during the day, how do they sleep at night? He climbed into a rack (shipboard bed) for a little shut eye after a long tour of the museum. Thankfully he was short enough that sitting up quickly wasn't an issue for him (unlike sailors onboard the ship).

That's all for today, next up for Merle will be a trip to Yorktown.

 

[btb01]

Great posts, Jeremy! Looks like an interesting museum, thanks for the tour!

Merle thought with all of the hard work that these submariners put in during the day, how do they sleep at night? He climbed into a rack (shipboard bed) for a little shut eye after a long tour of the museum. Thankfully he was short enough that sitting up quickly wasn't an issue for him (unlike sailors onboard the ship).

I’m glad Merle looks comfortable there. I’m afraid those racks (and the idea of being in a submarine in general) would have me feeling a bit claustrophobic.

 

[sbh06]

Great posts, Jeremy! Looks like an interesting museum, thanks for the tour!



I’m glad Merle looks comfortable there. I’m afraid those racks (and the idea of being in a submarine in general) would have me feeling a bit claustrophobic.

Thanks Barrett, the museum is an awesome place, and with $1 admission, easy to go back pretty frequently to see the progress being made on the MONITOR and new exhibits.

It helps being short (under 6’) on a submarine…

 

[Rsmith_77]

It helps being short (under 6’) on a submarine…

Chuckles uncomfortably in 6'3

 

[sbh06]

Chuckles uncomfortably in 6'3

You’d start at 6’3”, but on an SSN you’d leave at 6’.

I was saddened to hear about your dad. My condolences.

 

[Rsmith_77]

Thank you

 

[Rsmith_77]

I forget which sub it was
But some years back he and I (and my oldest nephew) went to the naval museum in Mobile Alabama and toured the ship and the submarine that was there
Very tight, very cramped

Wouldn't want to be stationed on one of those

 

[sbh06]

I forget which sub it was
But some years back he and I (and my oldest nephew) went to the naval museum in Mobile Alabama and toured the ship and the submarine that was there
Very tight, very cramped

Wouldn't want to be stationed on one of those

Looks like USS DRUM (SS-228), a WWII sub. Modern subs have more room that their older diesel boat counterparts, but not too much more.

 

[Hyesouljah]

Thank you for the tour Jeremy, I loved it! Can’t wait to see what y’all get into next!

 

[sbh06]

Thank you for the tour Jeremy, I loved it! Can’t wait to see what y’all get into next!

Thanks Peter, should have some more to post on Merle's travels in the next few days.

 

[sbh06]

After learning all about the Naval significance of this area, Merle wanted to know more about what has happened on land in this area, so off we went to historic Yorktown, and the Yorktown battlefields to be specific. First we found the location where the Revolutionary War ended.

We then toured the Second Allied Siege Line.

After seeing the location where historic Revolutionary War (and Civil War) battles took place, we then went to see the Yorktown Victory Monument.

Finally, we went to the shore of the York River, where Merle took a quick dip and basked in the history he had just taken in.

After a very long day of exploring, Merle jumped aboard the Jamestown/Scotland ferry for a ride across the James River and back home.

Next up, Merle will learning the history about Hamtown USA (Smithfield, VA).

 

[sbh06]

After adventuring out, Merle told me he wanted to spend some time closer to the house, so we decided to go to the Isle of Wight County Museum. There, Merle learned everything that went in to creating a "Smithfield Ham" and ham in general.

Merle also got to see the largest ham (weighing in at over 65 lbs) and the world's oldest ham, which began the curing process in 1902. More information on the world's oldest ham, including a live webcam, can be found here.

Merle also decided he wanted a selfie with the world's oldest peanut, which this area is widely known for.

We found an exhibit on wooden duck whittling, though Merle thought that they would probably look even better after some lessons from Jiki .

With everything at the museum, Merle needed a rest and laid down in a small bed of cotton bolls, another major farm crop grown in this area.

We were lucky to be there to hear a small portion of a talk given by Gary Powers Jr regarding his dad. If you're not familiar with the name, Gary Powers was the U-2 pilot shot down while on a reconnaissance mission in Soviet Union airspace in 1960.

On our way back to the car we ran into this life size market hog statue, 1 of 8 throughout town painted by local artists as part of the "Porcine Parade" meant to highlight one aspect of the town's history and culture.

 

[btb01]

After learning all about the Naval significance of this area, Merle wanted to know more about what has happened on land in this area, so off we went to historic Yorktown, and the Yorktown battlefields to be specific. First we found the location where the Revolutionary War ended.

We then toured the Second Allied Siege Line.

After seeing the location where historic Revolutionary War (and Civil War) battles took place, we then went to see the Yorktown Victory Monument.

---

Next up, Merle will learning the history about Hamtown USA (Smithfield, VA).

Thanks for showing Merle a bit of history, Jeremy.

After adventuring out, Merle told me he wanted to spend some time closer to the house, so we decided to go to the Isle of Wight County Museum. There, Merle learned everything that went in to creating a "Smithfield Ham" and ham in general.

Merle also got to see the largest ham (weighing in at over 65 lbs) and the world's oldest ham, which began the curing process in 1902. More information on the world's oldest ham, including a live webcam, can be found here.

Merle also decided he wanted a selfie with the world's oldest peanut, which this area is widely known for.

We found an exhibit on wooden duck whittling, though Merle thought that they would probably look even better after some lessons from Jiki .

With everything at the museum, Merle needed a rest and laid down in a small bed of cotton bolls, another major farm crop grown in this area.

We were lucky to be there to hear a small portion of a talk given by Gary Powers Jr regarding his dad. If you're not familiar with the name, Gary Powers was the U-2 pilot shot down while on a reconnaissance mission in Soviet Union airspace in 1960.

On our way back to the car we ran into this life size market hog statue, 1 of 8 throughout town painted by local artists as part of the "Porcine Parade" meant to highlight one aspect of the town's history and culture.

I like ham as much as the next guy, but I'm afraid that 1902 ham might be a bit past its best-by date. As an Arkansan and graduate of the University of Arkansas, I enjoyed spotting the "Genuine Razor-Back Ham" advertising shown in one of the displays. Another fun post, Jeremy. Thanks!