May 2014 - Adventures with Grandma and Grandpa

While we were off enjoying the sun and Mickey Mouse in Florida, my lovely parents bravely agreed to watch our kids. My parents love adventures and rarely back down from an opportunity to explore and learn something new. (This was something I wish I appreciated more growing up.)

I asked my mom about these photos. The majority of the rest of this post are her words.

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Pic-nic in the San Jacinto Park before we went to tour the USS Texas (BB35). It was commissioned in early 1914 - 100 years ago and brought to the park in the late 40's. If you want more info go to http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/t4/texas-ii.htm. Moto "Come On Texas". Donors and volunteers are hard at work restoring much of the ship.

The kids were so good and patient through all this. They were a little intimidated on the lower deck. Andrew asked lots of questions and Grandpa was excited to share information about big ships while Grandma was busy taking pictures. (He would be tempted to fly to Houston if there is ever a new ship commissioning there.)

This is the deep water channel entering Houston harbor. The kids were watching cargo ships and tankers come in and go out.

This is the Post Office on the USS Texas. Grandpa collect envelopes (covers) from ships which tell something about the history of the ship.  Andrew and Grandpa went to see this post office below deck while Grandma and Bailey went exploring topside.

Andrew and Bailey exploring the top deck of the USS Texas with Grandma. The shells on the wall behind them are for the 21  5" secondary guns. Much of the ship is being restored. The kids were real troopers climbing all over the ship where visitors were allowed.

The top photo is the forward gun turret on the USS Texas and the forward deck including anchor chains. (Lower photo) is the forward structure (forecastle) which includes gun directors location, tripod mass, bridge, forward structure and main batteries A&B.  The guns are 14".

Bailey taking photos.

My parents said they had a good time and my children returned with a new experience. Thanks Mom and Dad for taking some new little explores on an adventure.