Submarine & Trolley

Today's excursion took us on a tour of the fully functional USS Razorback (SS 394) submarine berthed at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum in North Little Rock, AR.  Therefore, don't push or pull knobs or buttons or do anything stupid.  There were several unarmed torpedoes aboard, too.

J checked out the gun prior to our sub tour.






Built for war in the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Kittery, Maine, the USS Razorback is the longest-serving submarine in the world.  A veteran of WWII, the Cold War, and the Vietnam War...she was named after the Razorback Whale...a species found in the far southern parts of the Pacific Ocean.

                                             Below is her original style that took 6 mos. to build.

Below is the new re-built look with the GUPPY Conversion and modernization program.  This was to improve the submerged speed, maneuverability and endurance.

Down the hatch....

and those sealed doors were a tight fit, too.





 Launched in 1944...de-commissioned in 1952...re-built over the next 2 years...re-commissioned in 1954...struck from the Navy list in 1970 and sold to the Turkey Navy and served there until 2002.  After a couple years of "red tape", North Little Rock bought the submarine for $37,500.

                 


Loading torpedo in the tube (below).

Looking up at a entrance/escape hatch (below).

 



Torpedo tube for trash located next to galley.






Trash is compacted in the tube (above)...weighted...and shot out into the ocean.  Hmmm

Dive... steering plane at right>>>







Exit hatch with 14 ladder steps that was a chore for me to climb out.  Tight quarters with a side hatch that was difficult for me to get my short legs and body through to ESCAPE.

The submarine's original flag to left.
To right is the original commissioning banner.






The USS Razorback sunk 16 ships which 4 were large transports and 2 warships. It also recovered numerous downed pilots.

This submarine played a critical role in WWII.  52 US submarines never returned home.  Most disappeared without a trace.  All but a few of their crews lie forever entombed on the ocean floor. The USS Razorback stands as one of the few proud memorials to these men "still on patrol."

              Propellers and anchors (above).

On deck (below), all I can say is, I made it.  LOL

Next was a relaxing ride on the yellow METRO Streetcar formerly known as the River Rail Electric Streetcar Trolley touring the twin cities.  Beautiful wood interior.  Our driver/narrator was a delight.  A gal who loves to garden.

Opened in 2004, this 5 trolley system with a 3.4 mile route took us across the Arkansas River & back.

The petunia baskets and old street lights were beautiful.

Heifer village statue (below).  They work with communities to end poverty and hunger while caring for the Earth.
















One of the original OLD houses from yesteryear (below).

Old buildings and things...

Old Drug Store at right est. in 1880.

We enjoyed our visit to Little Rock and North Little Rock...twin cities divided by the Arkansas River.

Until next time...take care...stay safe...see you by the campfire.

Little Rock, Arkansas

The William J. Clinton Presidential Center and Park is the presidential library of Bill Clinton, the 42nd President of the United States.  This is the 13th Presidential Library of 14.

The main building protrudes over the Arkansas River, echoing Clinton's campaign promise of "building a bridge to the 21st century".

The Clinton Presidential Park Wetlands are 13 acres of wetlands along the Arkansas River adjacent to the Clinton Presidential Library. Here there are walking trails, an elevated walkway, and two bridges offering spectacular views of the Arkansas River.

The Clinton Presidential Park Bridge, or Rock Island Bridge, now owned by the city, is a pedestrian and cyclist bridge that connects Little Rock to North Little Rock.  Rails turned into trails.

 As we walked the bridge at...there were rows of names of folk who contributed to this walkway. In the center of the span were pots of flowers and the cement inscription to the right>>>>>>>>
As we looked up/down the Arkansas River, there was a tug boat with a couple barges.

They still have trolly cars in Little Rock.

Here is an eye catching metal statue>>



Next stop was The Old Mill famous for the opening scene in the movie, "Gone With the Wind", made in 1939.  This mill with a concrete water wheel is treated to look like wood.





A beautiful park.

Big Dam Bridge is the longest pedestrian and cyclist bridge in North America spanning 4, 226 feet built atop Murray Lock and Dam across the Arkansas River.

To left is the lock that aides ships up/down the river.

Last stop was Pinnacle Mountain State Park.  This mountain rises over 1,000 feet above the Arkansas River Valley.  The cone-shaped peak is a central Arkansas landmark.  Here there is NO CAMPING; but, they do have over 40 miles of hiking trails from easy to difficult.  While here we watched bees as they worked their hive.
 
This tiny chipmunk struggled to hop up onto this rock...but, it made it.  LOL

This baby alligator had been on a field trip.  It was happy to return to its familiar habitat at the Visitor's Center.








What do you think of this alligator snapping turtle?  Look at that mouth.

Can you name the different tracks?


















Another patch for my collection.  Until next time...take care...be safe...see you by the campfire.