A Pearl of a Different Sort

We Dreamers visited Pearl Harbor while we were on Oahu. I didn't expect to be moved to the extent that I was. The entire day was haunting. The sound of airplanes and the rat-a-tat-tat strafing of gunfire surrounds visitors as they enter the visitor center, taking them on a swift trip back in time to that horrific day, December 7, 1941. I meandered through the center, catching snippets of videos, reading displays and trying to take in a bunch of information before viewing an excellent video setting the stage for our visit to the USS Arizona memorial. The Arizona took a hit to its magazine causing a massive explosion and rapidly sinking the battleship, killing over 1100 men. The ship was not salvageable so it remains as a memorial on the floor of the harbor. Visitors take a short boat ride out to the structure that was constructed over the sunken battleship. Parts of the ship can be seen from the memorial. A somber visit as one looks at the visible portions of the ship lurking just under the water, while standing in the shadow of a massive wall listing the names of those whose remains are interred in the ship. Oil from the ship rises to the surface of the water after all these years, making me think of tears. The droplets rise to the surface of the water and spread slowly in the ripples of the harbor, moving off to make way for another droplet. Drop after drop. Day after day. Year after year.

Oil slowly spreads across the water above the USS Arizona

I am glad that our tour included the USS Bowfin submarine and the related museum as well as the air museum where the airfield and buildings still bear witness to the attack.  A tour of the USS Missouri,  the site of the treaty signing that ended the war, ended our time travels.

In Misery

I guess I'm being a bit critical. However, that's how I feel about our overnight stint in Missouri. It is cold. My body isn't used to moisture in the air, and the cold cuts right through the jacket and gloves I am wearing. I forgot.

We are on our way to Florida to "catch the bus". Mr. Dreamy took our motorhome that way after our west coast trip. We have had service completed (I am thinking positively, here) and are making the trek back to pick up our "2nd home". We will spend January in Florida with family and friends, and then head toward Arizona to stay out of the cold winter weather. 

Last night we toasted each other with a glass of wine in the hotel room when the New Year came in... well, maybe not in Missouri, but it was 2015 somewhere! 

Last night was Tucker's first time in a hotel. It might have been Gypsy's first experience, too. They both handled themselves admirably. No one would have guessed they weren't seasoned travelers. And, according to them, the best part of their stay? The hotel's hot breakfast, which Dreaming didn't find exactly palatable. She may regret her decision to treat the pups...1114 miles to go.

Driving away from home

Along the road