Moving On . . . across the River

Today we are moving on from Norfolk, all the way to Portsmouth.  It's across the Elizabeth River.  We can literally see the marina where we're going.  Portsmouth is supposed to have some cool shops and a children's museum, plus an organic grocery store.  We just need a couple of items, plus we are ready for a change of scenery.

Yesterday we spent the day at Nauticus, a naval museum with the battleship USS Wisconsin docked right there.  It was very interesting to Ryan and me.  The kids enjoyed it, but there were lots of school groups there and I think the kids got a little overwhelmed.  At one point some kid took a toy from Evan and Zachary snatched it from him and exclaimed "he was playing with that!"  I was quite proud of his protective instincts.  Zachary had a toy snatched from him and didn't protest.  I'm pleased with his budding maturity.

This is the anchor from the USS Wisconsin.  It weighs 30,000 lbs.  Even my kids cannot hurt this by climbing all over it.  So we did.

My mature little sailor!

With the big guns on the battleship.  I now see why we have class shirts for field trips.  There was a sea of purple all over the place.   I also have new appreciation for Mrs. Brantley and Mrs. Daly (Zachary's 1st grade and Kindergarten teachers).  We saw a lot of teachers screaming unnecessarily at their kids, and it made them look silly.  Note to self - only scream at kids in private!

Norfolk has mermaids everywhere.  I feel like I'm with my brethren, these sisters of the sea.  But it's time to pack up for our 15 minute cruise across the river.  Now, instead of being in Norfolk looking at Portsmouth, we can be in Portsmouth looking at Norfolk.  It's time for a change.