intrepid

Saturday was the Smithsonian sponsored Museum Day. We used our tickets to go see the Intrepid, and it turned out to be a great day to go, not only for the free admission, but also because it was the Yankees Radio Network FanFest. All along the pier, booths from a variety of Yankees sponsors were set up handing out all sorts of snack samples, toys, and knick-knacks. After we ate our fill of food (Sabra hummus with Stacy's Pita Chips...yummmmm....freeze-dried fruit crisps and Blue Bunny ice cream), we entered the decommissioned aircraft carrier-turned sea, air, and space museum.

The Intrepid has an interesting history. It saw action (including several kamikaze strikes) in the Pacific during World War II, as well as combat during Vietnam. It was decommissioned in 1974 and eight years later opened up to the public in 1982. In the aftermath of September 11th, it served as temporary headquarters for the FBI as they investigated the attacks.

We had a fun time exploring the decks and cabins. Blake took Garrett into the Growler submarine, docked on the other side of the pier (Caleb was too short to go, so I stayed above ground with him). Once he got over the brief on-set of claustrophobia, Garrett thought it was pretty cool ("Mom! There lots of beds!"). Both boys loved the display of airplanes on the Flight Deck and wished they could have spent more time both manning the side guns and in the hand-on Exploreum exhibit.


As cool as it all was, I think that Garrett's favorite part was looking at the cruise ship docked on the neighboring pier. He is absolutely enamored with cruise ships and the swimming pools, restaurants, and playgrounds they have on board ("Mom, cruise ships my favorite. You fink so?"). It is one of his greatest wishes to someday sail on one.