Niagara Falls 1988 (Maid of the Mist)

Ferry Shots

Here are a couple of leftover shots from a ferry ride between Connecticut and Long Island last Christmas. I can't figure out what meme they belong in but didn't want them to go to waste, and I'm trying to post all my older photos before starting on the big vacation we took a couple of weeks ago.

Charleston Bridge

I always like photographing bridges, and so here's the Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge, in downtown Charleston, South Carolina.

And of course I had to get it with a ship in the frame - two impressive human creations.

And simply because this seems to be a water-themed post, here's a shot of one of the many rivers in the area, I don't remember exactly which one.

Our World Tuesday

Boats in Charleston

I was busy with family activities the last couple of weeks so I skipped blogging, but I'm back. Up next are some boats from when we were in Charleston last fall.

I love the swampy areas around Charleston.

There's quite a contrast between these two vessels!

Our World Tuesday

Northport, Long Island

I took time to visit relatives on Long Island last time I was in New York, and here are some shots of the beautiful Northport harbor.

Blue Monday

Our World Tuesday

Ferry in Maine

Here are some more photos from our ferry ride in Portland, Maine last summer, focusing on the boats we saw.

I've always loved being on the water.

I'd love to own one of these boats!

And for something completely different, I was amused by this sign in Massachusetts. Are you allowed to read or not? (It's not a great shot as it was taken from a car at twilight; I edited it to take out a period after the "NO".)

Our World Tuesday

Signs, Signs

USS Pampanito (Outside)

Following on from the previous post, here are some photos of the USS Pampanito, this time viewing the outside.

Skywatch Friday

USS Pampanito (Inside)

In San Francisco you can tour a submarine that saw service in World War Two, the USS Pampanito. It's worth seeing if you have any interest in these things, and you'll gain more of an appreciation for the men who served on them in close quarters.

You can see the controls.

These photos don't illustrate how cramped the quarters are.

The bridge was lit up in red (to help keep eyes adjusted to the dark for periscope use) so I tried to get a long exposure instead of using flash.

I would have had a hard time spending any extended time on this submarine.

Our World Tuesday

Inside the U.S.S. Iowa

For the last of my series on the U.S.S. Iowa, we'll start by looking inside her armored bridge. Look at the depth of the armor plating, visible in the small window on the left.

I was intrigued by this series of doors.

And finally, here's a look at the mess, where crew members would eat.

Our World Tuesday

USS Iowa Officers Quarters

Here are some photos of areas inside the U.S.S. Iowa. First is an area for officers to relax.

This is a typical officer's quarters.

And finally, this was President Roosevelt's area when he was on the ship in World War 2.

This is my entry this week for the Our World Tuesday meme, a truly fascinating piece of American military history. And those carpets are perfect for Blue Monday.

Ship Skies

For this week's Skywatch Friday post, we're looking at beautiful blue skies over the U.S.S. Iowa, a ship about which I've posted several times in recent weeks.

This is looking straight up, with a  long pole on the left.

And here we're looking between two decks.

I wish all my readers a Happy New Year. I hope 2014 is a good year for you!

USS Iowa Guns & Ammo

The U.S.S. Iowa, open to the public near Los Angeles, has very impressive guns.

And the ammunition is also very large.

They also have cruise missiles (empty tubes now, I'm sure).

And finally, here's another view of the guns.

Our World Tuesday

Vincent Thomas Bridge from USS Iowa

When we were in Los Angeles last summer I visited the battleship USS Iowa, which is now open to the public. I'll be posting photos from this over the next few weeks, but I'm starting with one of the Vincent Thomas Bridge, taken from the deck of the famous battleship.

The USS Iowa is now moored in the busy port of Los Angeles where massive container ships are constantly being loaded and unloaded.

Sunday Bridges