DAY 4: Rain, Rain Went Away!!!

 

Observation of the day

A little sun goes a long way.

 

Quote of the day

“I know the weather is really bad when you ask to go to a museum.” – remarked by VM when EM suggested visiting the Submarine Force Museum after looking out the hotel window.

 

VM & EM: After our long travel days to get here, we gratefully slept in this morning, lulled by the ongoing monsoon outside. Around noon, we finally ventured out and decided to visit the Submarine Force Museum which is the home of the Nautilus, the world’s first operational nuclear-powered submarine, commissioned in 1954. After many tours, it was decommissioned in 1980 & came back to Groton, CT in 1985. It was originally designed and built here. 

 

Our friend, Eddie, who served in the Navy for decades, including on a sub, had told us about the museum. We have a new appreciation for him and others like him, who have served on subs. It is difficult to fathom being undersea in one with literally NOWHERE to go for breathing space. Eddie told us much of what we saw on the Nautilus is still used on subs today including stainless steel showers and the kitchen gear. On our tour, we learned sub sailors are some of the best fed in the Navy. We think they totally deserve it.

Taking advantage of a dry spell!

Trying to scope out the US Coast Guard Academy across the river from the sub museum!

 

The CO's accommodations. Definitely not the Ritz.

We learned from the young sailor who was manning the sub that when you are the low man on the totem pole, it is typical to share 2 bunks between 3 people as someone is always on duty – it’s called a hot rack as your bed is never cold.  

EM found it very funny that even in conditions when they had to wear night goggles,
the sailors still played cards. 

The Nautilus even went to Puerto Rico 😁.

Taking a photo was a bit challenging under our Elsa conditions.

Emma points toward the US Coast Guard Academy across the river
where she'll be heading on Sunday.

After our museum visit, we headed to Stonington, a nearby waterfront town settled in 1649 as a whaling and ship-building center. We were disappointed the Lighthouse Museum was closed (OK, probably only VM was disappointed) but we were thrilled the weather finally started to take a turn, with blue skies peeking through. 

While admiring Stonington’s quaint beach, we were thrilled to see a baby otter
scurrying across the sand to the rocks.

 

We had a wonderful linner at a local eatery EM found, Dog Watch Café https://www.dogwatchcafe.com. While the weather didn’t permit us to enjoy their outdoor dining, we had a wonderful spot by the window overlooking the harbor. Little by little, the sun made it’s way out.

Can you see the bit of blue starting to make it's way out!?!

 

After linner, we continued our journey by visiting Mystic. Enjoying the drier weather, we window-shopped and just explored. We indulged in an ice cream cone from the famed Mystic Drawbridge Ice Cream http://www.mysticdrawbridgeicecream.com. It was delicious.

All in all, it was a wonderful day, we’re hoping the weather continues.

 

As always, the stunning flowers make us think of Aba, Nana Donny & JM. They are breathtaking.

 

        Random Pics of the Day

                 We enjoyed someone's "artistic" moment inspired by the beautiful Stonington shoreline.