More Kyaking, Submarines and Benedict Arnold (oh my!)

Kayaking

We spent a sunny day kayaking the Mystic Harbor. On this outing we choose individual kayaks as an alternative to the tandem we used on the Thames River. We are trying to figure out how to try out some inflatables before we make a purchase decisions.

We kayaked from the bridge, at the harbor entrance, into and around the Historic Mystic Harbor. Was a different perspective of the Mystic Seaport we visited last month.






 

Nautilus Submarine

We concluded the day with a visit to the Nautilus submarine and museum in New London, Ct. The highlight of the visit was getting to board and view the forward sections of the sub. We entered through the forward torpedo room, went aft through quarters and mess areas to the control section. We were not allowed into the engineering section.  Amazing how men of all different sizes are able to live in a very small enclosed space.  Obviously those who serve on Submarines, have a special personality trait that makes them suitable for this type of work and are not claustrophobic.

 It was a special feeling to be aboard a boat that was the first commissioned nuclear powered ship in the United States Navy. It was launched January 21, 1954, and on July 23, 1958 Nautilus departed Pearl Harbor under top secret orders to conduct “Operation Sunshine”, the first crossing of the North Pole by a ship.

Something else we learned about submarines, was that all subs go to Puget Sound Naval Shipyard in Bremerton Washington to be de-commissioned. That just happens to be across the bay from where daughter Stephanie and family live.

Benedict Arnold

There is a small town called Norwich, about 40 miles from where we are staying, that has a local theater called The Spirit of Broadway. We were introduced to it through Pam, the owner of Charlie Brown Campground. http://www.spiritofbroadway.org/

The Spirit of Broadway produces entertaining musicals with local New England talent. After seeing a play called 101 in the heat, we were told of their next big production… Benedict Arnold.   Benedict

Arnold was born in Norwich Connecticut and this will be the story about the man, his wife and life events through the revolutionary war and what led to his defection to the British.  Getting funding for the play was not easy for the producer, as there is a general denial in the community to acknowledge Arnold was born in their town.  But the producer felt strongly his story should be told from the perspective of his life.

The play will debut next July, but we were able to secure tickets to a reading by the actors. Having never experienced a reading before, we were not sure what to expect.

The actors wore street clothes,  and had binders in hand that contained their scripts and music. The reading was like a mini rehearsal and extremely entertaining. At some points we were so caught up in the story, we were not aware there were no costumes or set. 

Gen. Washington talking to
Gen. Arnold 

Three of the actors captured us with their talent, the men who played George Washington, Benedict Arnold and John Renee, the British spy. Equally as good, was the woman who played Benedict’s wife… she truly captured the pretty rich girl, self-absorbed personality. We’re sorry we will not be around to see the final result of all the readings and rehearsals and wish the producer and all of the actors success.