Patriots Point, Charleston

Wanted to see an Aircraft carrier for awhile now, and this was it. The USS Yorktown is a WWII ship, built in 1943, and was a good one to look at. We got a ride to the ship on a cart and then up the stairs, which there were many. second floor below the top deck is where the tour started. A welcome desk is there with many people to answer your questions. Then we were on our own to tour the ship. This deck had prop planes, which this ship started off with, then when jets came to be the deck above was converted with an angled deck added as the jets had to come in full throttle I was told, no coasting for them, or they would drop out of the sky. We looked a little here, but went upstairs for the deck tour first, as was told the deck gets warmer as the day goes on.

After 3 fights of stairs we made it to the deck. Was warm already, but were many jets up here, with much history. We had a good look around, even went up to the captains helm for a look, 3 more flights of stairs. Our knees felt this, but we pushed on. Was an interesting feeling as you looked around at all the machinery, as well as jets, there were things that brought you back to the days when the war was on, and not just WWII, as this ship had been in service till 1970, and had been a part of many confrontations during this time.

Polly says she has found a new hat!

This guy went by as I was taking the above picture.

The deck was loaded with many jets

Polly got a new hair doo!

The deck is almost 3 football fields 888 feet

What we saw that brought us back was painted on the side of the tower that went up from the deck to the helm, where the kills, and damage reports were logged. This had me thinking of the past, and what this ship went through. Polly showed me this, and she was thinking as she told me about it too.

These many sunk and damaged ships had me thinking. 

How many people died during this war, that's what I was thinking.

Next we went below and toured the main deck where the planes were stored as not all aircraft can get on the top deck. This was where we saw the firs aircraft that flew during WWII. They were so much different then the jets, Huge engines in front, and props on all, this let you know about a different time.

Showing what the deck of another Aircraft carrier that was bombed looked like

Polly lookin in as I was in the cockpit...

Next we went to the lower decks where the men who fought here lived. The rooms were bigger than I thought they might be, but the bunks were tightly together. Was like a small city below deck, all was there Mess, Kitchen, Hospital, Doctors office, and more. Didn't go to the engine room, we were getting tired by this time, was a big tour to see all, and read what is was, and when was used.

From a video we watched

I have seen this one before, Always makes me think.

where the pilots got there orders, and debriefing 

We stopped part way through and had a drink, and a hot dog. This was a time to reflect on what we saw. Glad we went, and happy to get off too. Was a good day to do this tour, as was windy and cooler than it had been. We got a ride back to the visitor center on the Big Golf cart again, and we did a little wander around the gift shop. Time to get back to Bosco we decide, and the nice pool we had grown used to. If a chance comes again, will look at a newer Aircraft Carrier, as would like to see one of those, and compare.

Was a nice way to end our time here in Charleston,

On a lighter note, the RV Park we stayed in Lake Air, was so nice, had a beauty pool, and much water around, with ducks, and fish in the ponds, and turtles, as well as many birds. Would return here in the future.

Loving the south, next we move north to Washington, D.C.