✈️✈️✈️1997 ~August 29–Sept 4, Trip to Norfolk, Virginia with siblings

Day 1: Friday, August 29, 1997

My dad, sisters and I flew to Norfolk, Virginia.

I had gotten a great deal on flight tickets. 

I bought a senior ticket for my dad and got my ticket free. What a deal! 

Dad had never flown in an airplane before, he was excited and wanted to sit next to the window.

My sister was waiting for us when we arrived at Norfolk Airport. 

Day 2: Saturday, August 30, 1997

Dad spent the day with his son-in-law while we girls went out to have fun.

Our first stop was at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens which was located right next to the Norfolk airport.

We took the trolley tour at the Botanical Gardens where we saw many beautiful flower gardens, butterfly gardens, and statues.

We walked through the village of Colonial Williamsburg.

After a full day of sightseeing, we went for a swim.

There was a nice big swimming pool in the apartment complex where my sister lived so we spent many hours swimming and playing water volleyball when we were not sightseeing.

My sister cooks through the week and on weekends her husband Robert does the cooking, especially on the grill.

That weekend my dad and Robert went deep-sea fishing and brought back their catch for dinner.

The weather was great for sitting outside except when the bugs started to bite we all went back inside.

At night before bedtime, we would sit around talking and laughing it was like a teenage sleepover.

When bedtime came my dad would sleep in the extra bedroom, one of my siblings slept on the sofa, and one of my siblings and I slept on an air mattress.  

Cape Henry Lighthouse 

Cape Henry Lighthouse 

Cape Henry Lighthouse 

Cape Henry Lighthouse 

Day 3: Sunday, August 31, 1997

We visited The Old Cape Henry lighthouse which was located on a military installation.

It took an act of Congress to get to the lighthouse.

First, we had to go through a security gate and the guard asked all of us to get out of the car the car was completely searched and of course, nothing was found.

It was a short drive to the lighthouse.

We each pay two dollars to climb the steep, narrow, winding steps of the octagonal lighthouse.

We walked all the way to the top of the stairs that ended at a narrow opening that we had to climb through to get to the very top. 

The view was awesome and the climb was worthwhile. 

Standing at the top of the lighthouse we could see the light shining over the water guiding the sailors home. 

The small lighthouse was not what I expected, I guess I was expecting it to look like what I had seen in the movies!

Needless to say, we had to go down the way we came up.

Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises-Lunch/Dinner Cruises

Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises-Lunch/Dinner Cruises

Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises-Lunch/Dinner Cruises

Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises-Lunch/Dinner Cruises

Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises-Lunch/Dinner Cruises

The US Navy Fleet 

The US Navy Fleet 

Day 4: Monday, September 1, 1997

My sisters and I took a dinner cruise on the Spirit of Norfolk. 

Spirit of Norfolk Harbor Cruises-Lunch/Dinner Cruises is a narrated tour of Norfolk/Portsmouth Harbors passing sights like the Monitor/Merrimack Battle site, Naval Base, and Old Fort Norfolk.

We ordered the boat and were guided into the dining room and were seated.

A waiter took our drink order and we were then told to help ourselves to the buffet.

Once everyone was seated and was enjoying their meal the entertainment began.

There was a band with live music and a member of the band was encouraging the audience to join in the singing and dancing. 

They came to our table and I got up and joined in as the group danced around the room.

After our meal, we all walked outside to enjoy the view. 

We could see the city of Norfolk in the distance as we floated away from shore.

In the distance, we could see the coastal area of Virginia and our US Naval Fleet. 

We visited the National Maritime Center which is a science and technology center that explores the naval, economic, and nautical power of the sea. 

 Virginia Beach Marine Science Museum

 Virginia Beach Marine Science Museum

Virginia Beach Marine Science Museum

 Virginia Beach Marine Science Museum

Day 5: Tuesday, September 2, 1997

We visited a couple old historic homes in Norfolk:

We visited the Hermitage Museum and Gardens; it was a twenty-century home built by William and Florence Sloane, wealthy New Yorkers who came to Hampton Roads to operate a textile mill. 

It had 42 rooms and it borders on three sides of the Lafayette River. 

We visited The Dewitt Cottage located at 1113 Atlantic Avenue Virginia Beach Va., which houses the Atlantic Wildfowl Heritage Museum, it displays art, and artifacts documenting the migration of wildfowl that passes through eastern Virginia.

It has a small art gallery, postcards, and memorabilia from the Edgar T. Brown collection. 

The second floor exhibits the history of the De Witt family and a surfboard made by Peter De Witt. 

Day 6: Wednesday, September 3, 1997

We visited the Virginia Beach Marine Science Museum, which is one of the top ten marine science museums in the U.S

We saw a  "Touch Tank,” full of sharks, stingrays, dolphins, and harbor seals.

We visited the Chrysler Museum of Art located at 245-West Olney Rd., Norfolk, Virginia 23510 757-664-6200

The two-level museum was heavily guarded.

It had all sorts of glassware which intrigued my sister Vickie. I enjoyed the life-size portraits of George Washington.

Inside the museum, we saw European and American paintings and sculptures, a world-renowned glass collection, a rich photography program, Art Nouveau furniture, as well as African, Asian, Egyptian, Pre-Columbian, and Islamic art. 

We visited Colonial Williamsburg, we walked up the spiral staircase in the Old Cape Henry Light House; we sailed on the Spirit of Norfolk Harbor dinner Cruises, we rode the trolly at the Norfolk Botanical Gardens, we walked through the Chrysler Museum, we put our hands in the shark tanks at the Virginia Marine Science Museum, we walked through the Hermitage Museum, Gardens, and the Willoughby Baylor Home, and last but not least we found bargains at yard sales. 

August 30-September 4, 1997 Norfolk, VA 

Leave Huntsville International Airport (HSV) 

Arrived Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

Leave Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

Arrive Huntsville International Airport (HSV)

🚀🚀🚀1997 ~Jake and Hannah's Adventures at the Space & Rocket Center Huntsville, Alabama

Every year I would purchase the grandparents membership to Space and Rocket Center.

When my grandchildren came to visit I would take there, they loved going to the Space Center.

The grandchildren were thrilled to watch the movie that was showing at the I-Max theater.

We saw the US Air Force Spy Plane that flew coast to coast in less than 68 minutes it was called Blackbird and it sat in front of the Space Center.

There was a playground for the little ones and a Simulator where you feel the sensation of weightlessness.

There were displays of rockets, boosters, capsules, space suits used in NASA missions over the years and a summer space camp.

We would take the bus to Marshall Space Flight Center, to watch the construction of NASA's new space station.

We learned about Huntsville's role in the making of the moon rocket, the space race, the Apollo missions, we learn about the Space Shuttle program, the International Space Station and the beginnings with NASA's Constellation project.

 We saw the Saturn V, the 476 foot long. 90 foot wide and a 63-foot high spaceship that went into space and was a multistage liquid-fuel expendable rocket used by NASA's Apollo and Skylab programs from 1967 until 1973. 

In total NASA launched thirteen Saturn V rockets with no loss of payload. It remains the largest and most powerful launch vehicle ever brought to operational status from a height, weight, and payload standpoint.

We saw Apollo 16 Casper,& the Apollo boilerplate which tested the launch escape system in the New Mexico desert at White Sands Missile Range. 

We saw the Lunar Module Apollo 16 LM, Sky-lab the first space station, the Pathfinder, the Liberty Bell 7-the lost spaceship, we saw Gus Grissom’s space suit, the Lunar Lander exhibit, and MMU and Spacesuit, etc.

My grandchildren were amazed at the size of the spaceships, at all the displays of history about space, and they enjoyed all the hands-on activities.

Space and Rocket Center has a space camp program where children learn about space and participate in space activities and sometimes we would stop and watch.

Once at Space Camp, we watched a man in a scuba suit swimming in a tank of water.

At the end of our trip, I would let each grandchild pick something from the gift shop. 

Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake at the Space and Rocket Center

 Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

 Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

 Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

Jake and Hannah at the Space and Rocket Center

1996 ~August 31-Sept 2, Trip to Houston, Texas to visit daughter

It was a short trip to Houston but very enjoyable, and a very interesting city. 

It was full of skyscrapers, malls, interstate highway, multi-cultured people, and sites.

I traveled from Huntsville, Al to Houston Texas to visit my daughter, and her boyfriend.

When I landed they were there waiting for me, my daughter’s boyfriend drove he red truck very fast down the interstate back to their apartment.

Bush Intercontinental Airport is located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston, near the Sam Houston Tollway (Beltway 8 North)

My daughter had a nice apartment and it was full of new furniture. 

They took me to the Galleria in downtown Houston, to the eighteen-acre park that featured a sixty-four-foot waterfall and out to eat.

We rode in the red truck not my daughter’s Mazda Mitia  

We visited the Waterfall and Fountain in Houston that is located on an eighteen-acre landscaped park.

It is sixty-four foot semi-circular Water Wall, accented with a gabled structure supported by columns.

A total of 11,000 gallons of water per-minute flow over both walls. 

You can see the Williams Tower which is a sixty-four-story office tower located at 2800 Post Oak Boulevard from the waterfall.

The Williams Tower forms a sleek silhouette with its silver gray reflective glass and aluminum anodized skin, accented by columns of bay windows made from non-reflective gray glass.

Red truck & my daughter’s  Mazda Mitia  

Waterfall and Fountain in Houston

The Williams Tower

The Williams Tower and park 

We visited The Galleria which is the cornerstone of the Uptown District shopping Mecca and has been for over 30 years.

It has had several expansions and renovations to make it  “THE mega-mall of Houston.” 

It has Macy's, Nordstrom's, Banana Republic, Abercrombie & Fitch, Tiffany & Co., Gucci, and Versace and 100s of other retail stores.

It has a huge food court of fast food and fine dining. 

There were two Westin Hotels within the Galleria.

In the middle of the mall was an ice-skating rink.

Everything you could want under one roof, shopping, dining, and entertainment and at the end of the day a hotel to rest yourself.

I was in Texas just a couple days not enough time to see everything.

Just a quick weekend visit and back home to work.

Houston Airport 

Houston Airport 

August 31-September 2, 1996 Houston Texas

Leave Huntsville International Airport (HSV) 

Arrive Houston International Airport (IAH)

Leave Houston International Airport (IAH)

Arrive Huntsville International Airport (HSV)

1996 June 20-24, Trip to Norfolk, Virginia with siblings

It has been several years that my sisters and I visited Norfolk VA, we were allot younger but we are all in better physical health today because we all do some form of exercise.

I joined the YMCA, after our last trip to the Florida Keys, where I enjoy swimming, aerobics and workout on the elliptical machines.

Trolley ride at Norfolk Botanical Gardens

Day 1: Thursday, June 20, 1996

When we arrived at the Norfolk airport my sibling picked us up and we went to The Norfolk Botanical Gardens. 

The Botanical Gardens is located next door to the Norfolk Airport.
We purchased our tickets and took the trolly ride though out the garden.

Next we rode to Virginia Beach, while riding down the strip at Virginia Beach I saw a sign, that I thought read, “Buffalo all you can eat but it read buffet all you can eat.”

My sister said what did you say?

I said Buffalo all you can eat.

When my siblings looked back at the sign they laughed.

Then we all laughed!

We stopped at Yorktown Pub on 540 Water St Yorktown, VA, for lunch and one of my sibling said the pub was a “pug” another laugh!

At the Yorktown Pub we ordered a Classic Reuben Sandwich, with glass of ice tea off the Boar’s Head Menu.

A little history about the Yorktown Pub, it was built 1951 and known as “Gus’s,” later changed to Powder Keg, the Cannonball, and was known at the biker’s bar. 

The pub offers fresh local seafood, sizzling hamburgers, and a variety of sandwiches with a scenic view of  Yorktown beach on the York River. 

Riding Escape from Pompeii 

Riding the Loch ness Monster Loch ness Monster double loop Scotland’s most famous monster.

Riding Apollo’s chariot Roman Rapids-a roman bath

             Apollo’s chariot hyper coaster is 825 feet.

Riding the Big bad wolf-suspended Coaster Big bad wolf-suspended roller coaster through Bavarian Village

Day 2: Friday, June 21, 1996

We spent the whole day riding roller coasters in Norfolk's Bush Gardens.

We rode Escape from Pompeii it is a roller coaster ride that goes through a tunnel of fire.

I could feel the heat on my arm, from the fire, as we rode through the tunnel I made the comment that the fire syringed my arm not singed! 

Another LOL!

Bush Gardens Williamsburg, Virginia

One Bush Gardens Blvd 

Williamsburg, VA

The roller coasters that we rode were:

Battering Ram: An enormous Pendulum 

Escape from Pompeii a quite ride through the ruins of Pompeii suddenly turns explosive Mount Vesuvius erupting.

Loch ness Monster double loop Scotland’s most famous monster.

Roman Rapids-a roman bath

Apollo’s chariot hyper coaster is 825 feet.

Big bad wolf-suspended roller coaster through Bavarian Village

Bassett Hall 

Bassett Hall floor plans

Bassett Hall 

Day 3: Saturday, June 22, 1996

We took the self guided tour of Basset Hall, the home of Rockefeller where we were given head phones with taped recording to listen to.

One of my sibling  was recording the visit with her camcorder.

Most of what she recorded was of the floor.

LOL!

Colonial Williamsburg Putting our heads in the Pillory

Colonial Williamsburg Putting our heads in the Pillory

George Washington at Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum 

Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum 

Visiting Yorktown

Visiting Yorktown

Standing on Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery at Jamestown 

Inside Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery at Jamestown

Checking my camera Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery at Jamestown  

Susan Constant, Godspeed and Discovery at Jamestown 

Visting Jamestown Settlement

Day 4: Sunday, June 23, 1996 

We took the self-guided tour of the Village of Colonial Williamsburg. We entered the homes of Williamsburg’s eighteenth century residents. Each of the twenty buildings had a character representing that building.

We enjoyed a home-style hospitality dinner at Shields Tavern.

Shields Tavern is downstairs is a relaxed setting with lively characters and music. 

For dinner we all ordered the Barnyard chicken that is half a herb-rubbed hen with a sauce of Madeira and cherries cook’s vegetables and potatoes. 

After the meal we were entertained with people dressed in  Colonial dress, playing and singing Colonial songs. 

You must make a reservation to dine here.  

We visited the Dewitt Wallace Decorative Arts Museum where we saw a collection of British antiques, furniture, metals, ceramics, glass, paintings, prints, firearms and textiles from the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries.

We visited Yorktown which is a self-guided walking tour in the historic battlefields of Yorktown. Highlights included the site of Washington's Headquarters, Surrender Field, The Moore House (scene of surrender negotiations), The Nelson House, (home of Governor Thomas NelsonJr., of the Declaration of Independence) and the Yorktown Victory Monument.

We visited the Jamestown Settlement which features both indoor and outdoor attractions with the opening of its renowned historical galleries and exhibits. 

We visited Colonial Williamsburg, York Town Victory Center, Bassett Hall and in Jamestown we went aboard the boat, Godspeed.

In Bush Gardens we hit the ground running to each and every roller coaster. 

What a blast! 

Norfolk Airport! Homeward bound!

Day 5: Monday, June 24, 1996 

We flew home out of Norfolk International Airport, Norfolk Va. 

June 20-24 1996 Norfolk, VA with sisters

Delta International Airport 

Leave Huntsville International Airport (HSV)

Arrived Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

Leave Norfolk International Airport (ORF)

Arrive Huntsville International Airport (HSV)