Visiting the Queen Mary was one of those touristy things that I have never done, even though I have spent most of my life in Southern California. So, when I saw that California residents could take a self-guided tour for free this month, I thought it would be a good opportunity.
When we pulled up in the parking lot, the Queen Mary loomed before us. It was so large, D said it looked fake. k was impressed, too. It’s hard to believe that something that size could float on water. Truly an engineering marvel.
First we went to the museum display and engine room. The inner workings of the boat were so complicated and impressive! Since we didn’t know too much of the history behind the Queen Mary, we stopped to read some of the displays. We probably would’ve learned a lot more by taking a tour, but I don’t think k would have been up for it, plus we didn’t want to pay extra (parking already was $12!).
Afterward we climbed LOTS of stairs to view the upper decks. The escalators were not working…not cool, especially when one of you is eight months pregnant, and the other has to carry a 29 lb. child.
It was nice to enjoy the views of the Long Beach skyline.
Our “foodie” stop of the day was on the Promenade deck at a place called Land of Fruits and Nuts.* We tried their specialty shake, the California Split, which had dried pineapple, banana chips, strawberries, and chocolate. The dried fruit was definitely unique, but it was expensive for what you get.
*Incidentally, this is how people referred to California when D was in Indiana.
Visiting the Queen Mary has reawakened D’s desire to go on a cruise, something neither of us has done before. One day, D, one day.
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We had my grandparents’ 50th wedding anniversary on the Queen Mary and it was amazing! When we went to book it, the girl took us through an area where supposedly “friendly ghosts” are frequent visitors. Hmm, wasn’t sure what to make of that one! Wasn’t sure if the story was crazy or just the girl.
Tiff