Travel – Catalina Island, CA

Posted on October 7, 2014 by barbara

Years ago, when I was a child growing up in Southern California, I remember taking a special summer day trip to Catalina Island. Part of the adventure was traveling by boat to the island and seeing the flying fish as we crossed the Pacific Ocean from the port of Long Beach to the tiny city of Avalon located on the island. It was such an exciting sea adventure! Then, once we arrived at Catalina we took a ride on a glass bottom boat to see the underwater sea creatures hidden in the kelp forests, toured the Wrigley Mansion with its beautiful gardens which were at the top of the hill overlooking the city and also the Catalina Casino located on the other side of Avalon Bay. We had so much fun that day and I have so many wonderful memories!!

A brief history of Catalina Island (Santa Catalina Island)

Catalina Island is part of the Channel Islands archipelago and is located just 22 miles from the coast of California. The island measures 22 miles long and 8 miles across at its widest point. Archeologists have found evidence that the first settlers to the island, dating back to 7000 BC, were a group of Native Americans known as the Pimugnans or Pimuvit. Other archaeological findings indicate that the Pimugnans settled near the present day city of Avalon and that they mined soapstone on the island and traded with other Native American tribes along the coast of California.

Documentation indicates that the first European to visit the island was a Portuguese explorer named Juan Cabrillo. He arrived on October 7, 1542 claiming the island for Spain and naming it San Salvador. The island remained unsettled by the Europeans for almost 60 years until another Spanish explorer, Sebastian Vizcaino rediscovered the island and renamed it Santa Catalina.

By the 1830s, a series of catastrophic events caused the island’s entire native population to be eliminated from the island. With the Spanish colonization on the island, the Pimugnans population significantly declined due deaths caused by the introduction of diseases to which the Native Americans had no natural immunity. Also the Pimugnans trade system was severely disrupted by the presence of the Spanish on the island and along the coast of California with the establishment of the chain of Missions by the Franciscan friars. The remaining Pimugnans migrated from the island to find work at the Missions or on the vast rancheros owned by the Spanish settlers.

Over the centuries, the island has been used by distant Aleutian hunters from Russia and eventually local American hunters using it as a basecamp for the lucrative sea otter and seal pelt industry. An abundance of these animals in the waters around Catalina, the nearby Channel Islands and along the coast of California provided a seemingly unlimited supply of these pelts which were in demanded at very high prices to foreign markets. Later the island was used by frequently by pirates because of the numerous coves which provided the perfect hiding places which were within easy travel distance from the coast. (Catalina Trivia: China Point, which is located on the southwest end of Catalina, received its name because that area of the island was once used by smugglers to hide illegal Chinese immigrants)

Over the following years, the ownership of the island changed hands numerous times. In 1846, the Mexican Governor awarded the island in a large land grant to a local sea captain named Thomas Robbins. Then, in 1850 it was sold to Jose Covarrubias who sold it to Albert Packard in 1853 who sold to James Lick in 1864 and maintained control of the entire island for the next 25 years. Catalina Island was eventually developed as a vacation destination due to its close location to the growing metropolis of Los Angeles on the mainland of California. In 1887, the Michigan real estate developer, George Shatto, built the island’s first hotel located at the site of the new city of Avalon.

Then in 1891 the Banning bothers bought the island from Lick, formed the Santa Catalina Island Company, and immediately started developing it as a vacation resort. The main focus was the small island town of Avalon where more tourist accommodations were built but additional improvements were made around the entire island with dirt roads into the interior were paved, hunting lodges were constructed and stagecoach tours around the island were soon started.

In 1919, the island came under the ownership of William Wrigley Jr., the chewing gum company owner, when he purchased a controlling interest in the Santa Catalina Company. Wrigley invested millions to further develop the island and constructed the Catalina Casino which opened in May 1929 attracting tourists from the mainland of California. (Catalina Trivia: Wrigley also owned the Chicago Cubs baseball team and starting in 1921 their spring training facility was located on Catalina from 1921 until 1951)

Chicago Cubs training camp, Catalina Island 1

Chicago Cubs training camp, Catalina Island 2

After the death of Wrigley in 1932, the control of the Santa Catalina Island Company sent to his son, Philip Wrigley, who continued with his father’s master plan to develop and improve the island. The island was closed to tourists during World War II and used as a military training facility. Upon his death in 1975, Philip Wrigley deeded 90 percent of the original Santa Catalina Island Company, approximately 42,135 acres; to the newly formed Catalina Island Conservancy (which he helped to establish in 1971) while the remaining 10 percent was retained and control of a majority of the resort properties and tourist operations on the island. The Conservancy, a private nonprofit organization, has made it their mission to protect and preserve the natural and cultural heritage of Catalina.

Travel information for Catalina Island

Catalina can be reached by passenger ferries that depart from Long Beach and San Pedroas well as Newport Beach. The island can also be reached by helicopter service from either Long Beach or San Pedro. Please see the following website, www.catalinachamber.com, for more specific information on traveling to Catalina and to view available dates, times and prices. (Travel Note: Back in the 1990s the Royal Caribbean, Princess and Carnival cruise lines starting making Catalina a regular stop on their Baja cruise itineraries. The ships usually anchor approximately 100 feet outside of Avalon Harbor and passengers are ferried by small boats onto the island)

Catalina is unique because motor vehicles are restricted on most areas of the island with the exception of the city of Avalon. Most residents use golf carts but bicycles are also a popular alternative and there are several rental shops available for tourists to rent either types of transportation. The Catalina Island Conservancy offers bus and jeep tours into the interior of the island and they also issue hiking and mountain biking permits that can be obtained through the Conservancy office. (Travel Note: Hiking permits are free but there is an annual fee for mountain bike permits with additional helmet and tire requirements) For more information regarding transportation on the island of Catalina, please see the website www.catalinachamber.com

Things to see and do on Catalina

Once visitors are on Catalina there are numerous sites to see and a variety of activities to enjoy. Here is a list of just a few of the things to see and do on the island:

Glass Bottom Boat Tours – This popular tour takes visitors on a trip in a glass bottom boat to the Lover’s Cove Marine Preserve to view the abundant sea life in the kelp forests located just off shore. Advance reservations are required and highly recommended. For further information regarding the tours offered by the Santa Catalina Island Company please call 310-510-8687 or view their website at www.visitcatalinaisland.com (Catalina Trivia: The 1966 movie, “The Glass Bottom Boat starring Doris Day and Rod Taylor was based on the original Catalina tours and portions of the movie were filmed on the island)

Flying Fish Tours – Another popular boat tour for visitors to take while on the island is the Flying Fish Tour. The famed flying fish can be seen seasonally off the coast of Catalina from late May to September every year. These amazing fish propel themselves out of the water sometimes reaching heights as high at 30 feet above the water. For more information regarding these tours offered by the Santa Catalina Island Company please call 310-510-8687 or view their website at www.visitcatalinaisland.com

Other water activities – snorkeling, scuba diving, para sailing, kayaking and paddle boarding. (Travel Note: Please be advised to check your preferred Catalina Island vendors to inquire about reservation, availability and price information prior to your trip to Catalina and it is always a good idea to also ask about cancellation policies just in case of scheduling problems)
Catalina Casino Tour – The iconic landmark of Avalon is the Catalina Casino circular 12-story high building which was built in 1929 by William Wrigley, Jr. The building’s art deco style interior features the Catalina Island Museum and a movie theater on the first floor and a large ballroom on the top floor. Guided tours of the Catalina Casino are available and visitors can learn the history of Catalina Island and in the museum there are displays showing the distinctive Catalina tiles and pottery that was once made locally on the island. For further information regarding the tours offered by the Santa Catalina Island Company, please call 310-510-8687 or view their website at www.visitcatalinaisland.com (Catalina Trivia: Most visitors will assume that the Catalina Casino was a place for gambling but, like most things on the island that have been inspired or influenced by a Mediterranean style, the name is derived from the Italian word casino which means a “gathering place”)

Catalina Casino entrance - the Lady of the Casino tilework

The Wrigley Memorial and Gardens – High on the hill on the opposite side of Avalon Bay and the Catalina Casino is the Wrigley Memorial and Gardens, from this vantage point on the island there are spectacular views of Avalon Harbor. The Memorial, which honors William Wrigley Jr, is the centerpiece of the 38 acre Botanical Gardens which features a variety of desert plants that were originally planted at the direction of Wrigley’s wife, Ada. The Memorial was built in 1933-34 using Catalina stone quarried on the island and the red roof tile and beautiful handmade tile where produced locally by the Catalina Pottery plant which operated on the island from 1927 to 1937. The Memorial and the Gardens are operated by the Catalina Island Conservancy, please see www.catalinaconservancy.org for more information regarding hours of operation and tour prices. (Catalina Trivia: William Wrigley Jr. was originally buried in the sarcophagus located in Wrigley Memorial. The Memorial is located near the former Wrigley home on Catalina; unfortunately the house is not open to public tours but currently provides deluxe accommodations for island visitors as the Inn at Mt. Ada. In 1947, Wrigley’s remains were moved to the Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, CA)

Travel – The Walt Disney Family Museum

Posted on August 26, 2014 by barbara

As many readers known from my previous posts, I grew up in Southern California about a one hour drive from Disneyland in Anaheim.CA. Our family went often over the years we enjoyed seeing the attractions, riding the rides and the watching the parades at the theme park. So, as a result of my interest in all things Disney, I have read many books on the fascinating history of Disneyland and the Walt Disney Company. This year, on a recent road trip to California, we took a side trip to see the Walt Disney Family Museum located on the grounds of the historic Presidio in San Francisco.

A brief history of the Walt Disney Family Museum

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located on grounds of the Presidio which was a former U.S. military facility located in San Francisco. The Presidio was closed as a US government Army post in 1989 and the administration of the property was transferred to the National Park Service. The museum, which opened in 2009, is funded by the Walt Disney Family Foundation which was started by Diane Disney Miller, Walt’s daughter, and was built as a lasting memorial to Walt Disney’s work in animated films, television and other aspects of the entertainment industry including his beloved theme parks. The museum occupies three brick buildings and the two main buildings were formerly Army barracks which were originally built in the 1890s and additional special exhibits are displayed in the adjacent Diane Disney Miller Exhibition Hall which was formerly the Presidio gymnasium which was built in 1904.

The 40,000 square feet space of the main portion of the museum features an interior designed with state of the art exhibits and interactive displays in 10 themed galleries that the visitors can move through in chronological order viewing the highlights of Walt Disney’s personal and professional life. There is also a movie theater located in the lower level of the museum which shows limited engagements of past classic Disney movies and the theater’s interior design was inspired by the scene of Mickey Mouse as the Sorcerer’s Apprentice from the 1940 movie “Fantasia” which coincidentally was the first film to shown in the theater after the museum opened.

One of the most interesting elements of the museum, aside from the fact that visitors can view a wonderful collection Disney historical artifacts and memorabilia, is being able to hear Walt’s narration of the various stages of his life played throughout the various sections of the museum. These voice tracks came from 19 hours of tapes that Diane, Walt’s daughter, had made during the 1950s which were to be used later as source for a biography about her father.

A tour of the Walt Disney Family Museum

In the lobby of the museum are several display cases with the 248 awards that Walt received during his long career in the entertainment industry. Some of those awards include the twenty-six Academy Awards that he received throughout his career including his first two Academy Awards received in 1932 for the Best Short Subject Film (“Flowers and Trees” cartoon) and an Honorary Academy Award for the creation of Mickey Mouse. In 1939, Walt was presented with another Honorary Academy Award for the achievement of the first feature length animated film, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs” (Be sure to take a look at the award as it was cleverly presented in the form of one full sized Oscar statue and seven additional miniature ones presented on stepped base) Also shown in the lobby display cases are Disney’s seven Emmy Awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom which was presented to Walt in 1964 by President Johnson, and several honorary degrees from such prestigious colleges as Harvard, Yale, the University of Southern Californian and UCLA.

As previously mentioned, the ten permanent galleries in the museum are arranged in chronological order. The first gallery is “Beginnings: Walt Disney’s Early. As visitors enter this section, one wall shows photographs of the Disney family, including Walt’s grandparents and his parents. (Be sure to look for the charming photo of baby Walt and also a copy of his birth certificate) The displays in this section tell Walt’s story which begins in 1901 when he was born Chicago, IL and follows the family as they moved to a small farm in Marceline, MO to Kansas City, MO and then back to Chicago in 1917 where Walt attended McKinley High School and also took night classes at the Chicago Academy of Fine Arts. (Be sure to look for a copy of the Voice Yearbook from McKinley High which featured illustrations drawn by Walt) After graduating, Walt joined the American Ambulance Corps stationed in France for the duration of World War I. (Visitors will see a replica of one of the ambulance vehicles that Walt drove on display in this section of the museum) When Walt returned to the states in 1920, he chose to go back to Kansas City to work for an advertisement company. By this time in his life Walt had discovered the art of animation and he became fascinated by this relatively new form of entertainment. Eventually, Walt started the Laugh-O-Gram Films which produced animated short films but unfortunately the company soon went bankrupt and Walt moved to California. (Be sure to look for Walt’s Laugh-O-Gram business card and the company’s first stock certificate that was issued to Walt’s parents, Elias and Flora Disney)

Gallery 1 - American Ambulance Corps vehicle

The second gallery of the Museum is “Hollywood” tells Walt’s story of when he arrived in California in 1923 hoping to find employment working in Hollywood as a movie director. Walt and his brother, Roy, formed the Disney Bros. Studio company and hired several former employees of Laugh-O-Gram to come to Hollywood to work on the series of live action/animated short films based upon the Alice in Wonderland books. Around this time, a girl named Lilian Bounds came to work at the Disney Studio in the “Paint and Ink” department. Walt fell in love with the petite fun-loving Lillian and after a brief courtship they were married on July 25, 1925. (Be sure to look for a copy of Walt and Lillian’s marriage certificate) Now, with the limited success of the Alice Comedies, the Disney Studio received a contract from Universal Pictures to create a series of animated shorts starring Oswald the Lucky Rabbit. Walt had now started to focus more on story development, film direction and he was no longer working as an animator. Then in 1928, despite film distribution problems with Universal, Walt went to New York City to negotiate higher fees and ended up losing not only the contract but also the rights to the character of Oswald, the situation taught Walt an important lesson about retaining financial and creative control in the entertainment industry. Walt was very discouraged about the business setback but Lillian encouraged him to keep trying and on the train ride back to California Walt started to sketch ideas for a new mouse character which Lillian named Mickey Mouse. (Be sure to look for the display featuring Walt’s first sketches of Mickey Mouse) The character of Mickey Mouse went on to become a national sensation, especially after he was featured in the first animated film with synchronized sound. (Visitors should check out the large display of the Mickey Mouse merchandise that was available in those early years of the company)

The third gallery of the museum is “New Horizons”. With the financial success of Mickey Mouse, the Disney Bros. Studio now had the funds to move into much larger facilities. The newly renamed Walt Disney Studios now concentrated on improving their animation techniques with better equipment that was used to create the first Technicolor cartoons. Visually the quality of the Disney cartoons increased to another level with improved story lines, character development and better sound quality with music added to the finished cartoons. As previously mentioned, in 1932 Walt won his first Academy Award for the Best Short Subject Film, “Flowers and Trees”, one of the animated cartoons in the “Silly Symphonies” series. That same year, Walt received an Honorary Academy Award for the creation of Mickey Mouse. (Visitors can see both these Academy Awards are in the display case in the lobby of the museum. Also on display in this section are several Silly Symphonies animation cels and character merchandise) The Studio was now very successful and Walt had attained fame and celebrity status but there was another more personal reason that brought him happiness. Walt and Lillian had been blessed with two daughters, Diane born in 1933 and Sharon born in 1936. (Be sure to take the time to look at a few of the Disney family photos)

Disney Museum -first sketch of Mickey Mouse

The fourth gallery in the museum is “The Move to Features”. This section features displays of the Disney Studios first full-length animated movie, “Snow White and the Seven Dwarves”. The film took over four years to complete and premiered on December 21, 1937 at the Carthay Theater near downtown Los Angeles. During the production process, the Disney Studios brought in live animals so that the animators would be able to study and draw the animals in a realistic style and not “cartoon” features. The Studio developed a special Character Model Department where sculptures were created so that the animators could study the characters from all sides allowing them to draw better figures. (Be sure to check out some of the very detailed three dimensional figures in this section. Also displayed are several original artwork and character studies drawings used to create the Snow White film) After losing the rights to the Oswald character in the 1920s, Walt had learned an important lesson about marketing and numerous Snow White items were sold to promote the movie. (Look for the Snow White Doll and charm bracelet in the display case in this section of the museum)

The fifth gallery of the museum is “New Success and Greater Ambitions”. With the critical success of Snow White, the Disney Studios had achieved the financial means to build a new state of the art facility in Burbank, CA. and went on make Pinocchio, Bambi and Fantasia over the next ten years. The production process for each of these films took several years to complete starting with Walt’s famous storyboards which were used to determine the film’s final storyline that would inspire and guide a team of animators to create the final drawings that were sent to the paint and ink department to be colorized and then filmed using the unique multiplane camera which gave the illusion of depth to the two dimensional characters drawn by the animators. (Be sure to take a close look at the multiplane camera on display in this section, visitors are able to view the camera from two different levels on the first and second floors) Each of these films received great critical acclaim but brought the Studio only minimal financial success due to the onset of World War II causing a decrease in theater attendance in the United States and very limited international distribution. (In this section of the museum, visitors will see rare production artwork, character models, drawings and animation cels for all three films and the unique animator desk which was specifically made for the Disney Studio)

Multiplane camera - view from second floor

The sixth gallery is “The Late 1930s to Mid 1940s”. This period of time is the Walt’s life was plagued by a series of unfortunate circumstances and events. On a personal note, both Walt’s parents died; first his mother, Flora, in 1939 and later his father, Elias, in 1940. Then in May 1941 the Walt Disney Studios faced an employee strike which lasted several weeks severely damaging the company and Walt’s reputation. (Be sure to take the time to look at the photos and union flyers from the strike) During the time of the strike and before it had been settled, Walt was advised to remove himself the negotiation process and a special U.S. State Department “goodwill” trip to South America was quickly planned. As a result of this trip, the Disney animated feature, Saludos Amigos, starring the Three Caballeros was later made. Back at home, the Disney Studios production of Dumbo had been halted during the strike but it eventually premiered in October 1941 and received very limited success. (In this section of the museum there are many drawings, character studies and animation cels from Dumbo) Then with the start of World War II, the Disney Studios lost many of their employees as the men went to serve in the U.S. military during World War II. Once again production stopped on many of their animation films and instead they did their patriotic duty by making training films for the military and other morale-boosting shorts films such as Der Fuehrer’s Face starring Donald Duck. (Display in this section are various military regiment and squadron insignias created by the Studio featuring Disney characters)

In the seventh gallery is the “Post War Rebuilding”. This section of the museum covers the Disney years between the Mid 1940s to the early 1950s. With the end of World War II, the Disney Studios produced several successful animated films; Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland, Peter Pan and Lady & the Tramp. During this time, Walt had decided to venture from animated films into live-action productions with the 1950 Treasure Island and 1954 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. (In this section, visitors will see several concept and animation art from these animation and live-action films including the underwater camera used in the filming of 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea) Before, proceeding into the next area of the museum, there is a wonderful display of some of the Disney personal possessions including Walt’s large collection of miniatures. (Be sure to look for the unique charm bracelet that was a gift from Walt to his wife, Lillian, to acknowledge the important personal role that she played in his professional success. The 18k gold bracelet features twenty miniature Oscar charms to represent those Academy Awards he received)

The eighth gallery of the museum is “Walt and the Natural World”. Walt had always loved nature since he was a young boy growing up on the farm in Marceline, MO. When the Disney Studios had ventured into making live-action films it naturally (no pun intended!) led to nature documentaries. The first one, the 1949 Seal Island, featured a group of seals and their seasonal habits. Since the Disney Museum is located in the Presidio, the large floor to ceiling windows in this section allows visitors some wonderful views of the Golden State Bridge. (Be sure to stop and take a few minutes to enjoy the view and it is also a perfect opportunity to get a great photo of the Bridge!!)

The ninth gallery is “The 1950s and 1960s: The Big Screen and Beyond”. This section is one on the largest areas in the museum because it encompasses a twenty year span that was one of the most productive times in the Disney Company. For the first time, the Company was financially secure and Walt was able to build a beautiful home in the Holmby Hills section of Los Angeles. (Walt was an amateur model railroader so be sure to see the Lilly Belle, a 7¼ scale model locomotive, that Walt built and used on the track installed in his backyard that is displayed in this section of the museum) The Disney Studio had established a reputation for making quality animated and live-action films and during this time they also started making weekly television shows. Some of the most successful were the Disneyland TV show which help to fund and market Walt’s new theme park and was later renamed the Wonderful World of Disney, The Mickey Mouse Club which featured a cast of young talented Mouseketters, Davy Crockett which featured a catchy theme song and started the national craze of coon-skinned hats and the adventure series, Zorro.

The Disney Company had also expanded into other parts of the entertainment industry. Walt had a big dream to create a theme park that would be filled with attractions and rides that families could enjoy. Disneyland opened in July 1955 and proved to be successful with the public and very profitable for the Disney Company. (This section of the museum has several displays of the theme park memorabilia but be sure to check out the large model of Disneyland, the details are amazing!) Special note: If you are looking for more detailed information about Disneyland, I would like to recommend the five part series which features the history of Walt’s first theme park and the various attractions and rides of Disneyland. Just click on the link, Part One – The history of Disneyland.

When Walt was planning and building his theme park, he created a separate department of the Disney Company. This creative group of imagineers went on to work on several projects for the 1964-65 World’s Fair which as held in New York and later some of these attractions were added to Disneyland, such as It’s a Small World and the Carousel of Progress. Walt was fascinated with the new technologies being developed at this time and incorporated many of these ideas into his latest project, EPCOT the Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow, which he was planning on building near Orlando, Florida.

The Disney Company continued to make movies and one of their most successful ones premiered in 1964. The Mary Poppins movie was based on the books written by P.L. Travers and was an instant hit with both the critics and public. Walt would receive the Best Picture Academy Award for Mary Poppins in 1965. Special note: For more information about this classic Disney movie, please click on the link Mary Poppins – the book, movie and play.

The tenth and final gallery of the museum is “Remembering Walt Disney”. When Walt Disney died on December 5, 1966 the world mourned and this section displays the many letters, telegrams, newspaper and magazine articles that were written shortly after his death expressing not only the feeling of sorrow but also acknowledging appreciation for the quality entertainment that Walt provided to the millions of people around the world. This section of the museum is a wonderful way to reminder visitors of the lasting legacy of Walt Disney.

Travel note: When the Presidio closed in 1994, the National Park Service took over the administration of the property and several buildings were converted into business and corporate facilities. Located near the Walt Disney Family Museum is George Lucas’ Industrial Light and Magic. Just in case you were wondering, the Lucas campus is a working production facility and there are no public tours offered. (Darn it!!) Visitors are welcome to enjoy the 17 acres of the beautifully landscaped public property surrounding the buildings of ILM and if you decided to take a walk there be sure to look for the “Yoda” water fountain.

If you are looking for more Disney experiences, we would highly recommend a visit to Marceline, Mo if you are planning a visit to the Midwest. Last year, we took a road trip to the boyhood home of Walt Disney and enjoyed seeing the Disney family home, the Walt Disney Hometown Museum located in the old Santa Fe Railroad Train Station, the Walt Disney Elementary School and walking along the street in Marceline that is said to be the inspiration for the Main Street at Disneyland. (If you are interested, please click on the link, Walt Disney’s Marceline, for additional details regarding a visit to this small Midwest town)

Travel – North Carolina Coast

Posted on August 19, 2014 by barbara

For the last three years during Spring Break our family has spent the week visiting the coast of North Carolina. The first two years we stayed at hotels located in Wilmington and last year we rented a beach house on Topsail Island. Staying in Wilmington was great because it was centrally located for easy day trips around the area to visit places such as the local aquariums and various historic sites and museums. Like most road trips, we ate our meals at the local restaurants and only came back to the hotel at night to sleep. When we stayed on Topsail Island we rented a beach house and it was great because we cooked and ate our meals at the house (which was less expensive than eating out every day!) and, since we had seen most of the sites in the area on our previous visits, we spent more time at the beach which was just a short walk away.

Listed below are some of the highlights of the places we visited during our trips to the North Carolina Coast.

North Carolina Aquariums

The North Carolina has three different locations: Roanoke Island, Pine Knolls Shores and Fort Fischer. Each location has different exhibits featuring a variety of animals that can be found in the ocean, lakes and rivers located along the coast of North Carolina. (Our family has visited the Pine Knolls and Fort Fisher locations during our family vacations) For visitor information regarding aquarium hours, admission prices and tours for each of the three locations can be found on their website, ncaquariums.com

The Pine Knoll Shores NC Aquarium is located about 100 miles north of Wilmington and of the three NC Aquariums this one was our personal favorite. There are several different sections or galleries in this aquarium that feature the diverse natural environments, such as the mountain, Piedmont, coastal plain, tidal waters and ocean areas, located in North Carolina. In the Ocean Gallery of the aquarium is the Living Shipwreck exhibit, which holds 306.000 gallons of water, contains a large replica of the U-352 German submarine that sank off the coast of North Carolina during World War II and the tank features a variety of ocean animals, including moray eels, large groupers and several different species of sharks. (Travel tip: Upon arriving at the aquarium, check the scheduled feeding times of the Living Shipwreck exhibit, it is a great opportunity to see the scuba divers inside the tank hand-feeding the fish and they are also specially equipped with underwater audio equipment to hear and answer visitor questions)

Two other smaller exhibits are the Tidal Touch Pool which allows visitors to see a variety of ocean creatures close-up and the Skate and Ray Encounters exhibit where guests can actually gently touch them. Another popular exhibit features three river otters that were rescued from the wild and bottle-fed by the aquarium staff. The large viewing windows of the exhibit located both above and below the surface of the water allow visitors to view the entertaining activities of these playful otters.

The most famous ocean animal of the Pine Knoll Shores Aquarium is a loggerhead sea turtle named “Nimbus”, which means radiant light. The rare white turtle came to the aquarium as a tiny hatchling in August 2010. Born with a severe cleft palate, impaired vision and a genetic condition that affects the skin and shell pigment it was quickly determined that “Nimbus” would be an easy target for predators and it could never be released back into the wild. “Nimbus” now works to raise awareness to the aquarium’s efforts to care for ill or injured sea turtles that are eventually rehabilitated and released back into the wild. Loggerhead turtles are just one of the five different species of sea turtles found in coastal waters of North Carolina.

The Fort Fisher NC Aquarium is located in Kure Beach approximately 20 miles south of Wilmington and of the three NC Aquariums locations, this one focuses on the Cape Fear region of North Carolina. Upon entering, visitors will see a large tree-lined atrium that features man-made streams and ponds filled with frogs, cat fish, bass and several large alligators including one albino alligator but be sure to look for the box turtles hidden among the shrubbery and groundcover located in this area of aquarium. There is also an exhibit featuring several different species of venomous snakes of the Cape Fear region; such as rattlesnakes, copperheads and cottonmouths.

Other exhibits in the aquarium include the Coquina Outcrop Touch Pool where visitors can learn about and touch sea urchins, horseshoe crabs and other sea creatures. The large Cape Fear Shoals exhibit holds 235,000 gallon salt water and features a 25 foot deep replica of a coral reef that gives visitors wonderful views of sharks, stingrays, groupers and moray eels. In 2011, a new multimedia exhibit about the extinct Megalodon opened complete with interactive holograms and touch-screens where visitors can learn information about this ancient sea creature.

When visiting the Aquariums, we would highly recommend the Behind the Scene tours. These informative guided-tours are available for an additional fee and are a wonderful educational experience for a family to enjoy. (Travel note: Be sure to check before a visit to the aquariums to verify prices and make any necessary reservations. We also advise checking the directions and distance to the aquarium and please be sure to allow plenty of time because some of the coastal cities can get congested with traffic especially during the busy summer months)

Behind the scenes tour - Fort Fisher NC Aquarium 1

Behind the scenes tour - Fort Fisher NC Aquarium 2

(Travel note: Located near two of the NC Aquariums are two historical State Parks that would make for two separate and interesting day trips if you combine a visit to one of the Aquariums with one of the nearby NC State Parks. Fort Macon State Park is located almost 8 miles, an easy 15 minute drive, from the NC Aquarium at Pine Knoll Shores. Fort Fisher State Park is located less than a mile, a quick 5 minute drive, from the NC Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Below is information on both Fort Macon and Fort Fisher State Parks.

Fort Macon and Fort Fisher State Parks

This area of North Carolina was very vulnerable to attack first by pillaging pirates, such as the famous Blackbeard, in the 1700s and then later by invading Spaniards and British in the 1800s. The importance of the coastal defenses of the United States caused the US government to request a chain fortifications to be built along the Eastern coast of the United States and the current Fort Macon and Fort Fisher were two of those military installations that were built after the War of 1812.

Prior to the American Revolution a small military installation named Fort Hampton was built to guard the city of Beaufort and was built across the inlet on a barrier island but it was never used. After the War of 1912 the fort was abandoned and eventually a hurricane in 1825 destroyed the building and coastal erosion eliminated any remaining evidence of the small fort. The current Fort Macon was built on the site and completed 1834, it is a five-sided military defense brick and stone structure with 4½ feet deep outer walls. During the Civil War, the Confederate Army lost control of Fort Macon to the Union forces and it was used as a coal station for naval ships. After the war, Fort Macon was used as federal prison from 1867 to 1876. It was briefly during the Spanish-American War and eventually closed permanently in 1903. The state of North Carolina purchased the property in the 1920s, the Civilian Conservation corps restored the structure and the Fort Macon State Park officially opened in May 1936. Then during World War II, Fort Macon was once again armed with military force to defend the United States eastern coast. In 1946, the US Army returned the fort to the state of North Carolina. Today, Fort Macon is opened to the public and visitors can take a tour and view the museum exhibits that explain the history of the fort. For more information regarding hours, admission fees and directions, please see the NC State Park website at ncparks.gov and then search for Fort Macon State Park. (Travel note: During our visit to Fort Macon in 2012, we stayed for one of the evening programs and were able to watch a cannon firing demonstration which was very interesting and extremely loud! Before visiting, check the website for specific days and time that this program is offered)

Another Civil War Era Military Fort located near Wilmington, NC is Fort Fisher State Park, it is a less than 20 miles by car and it would take approximately half an hour to drive there. We have not visited Fort Fischer but it is very close to the NC Aquarium Fort Fisher State Park which is located less than a mile away and a quick 5 minute drive. For more information regarding the history of Fort Fischer and the hours of operation, admission fees and directions, please see the NC State Park website at ncparks.gov and then search for Fort Fishers State Park.

USS North Carolina Battleship

Located across the Cape Fear River from downtown Wilmington, NC is the USS North Carolina (BB-55) which was an American battleship used during World War II and it had a crew of 144 commissioned officers and 2,195 enlisted men and was armed with nine 16 inch 45 caliber guns mounted on three turrets and twenty 5 inch 38 caliber guns mounted in two sets of 10 each. During the course of the war it provided anti-aircraft coverage for the larger carriers in the fleet while putting in over 300,000 nautical miles during its tour of duty in the Pacific Ocean losing only 10 men with 67 men wounded. After the war, it was used as a training vessel until it was finally decommissioned in June 1947 and place on Inactive Reserve Fleet based in New Jersey for the next 14 years. In 1958, the state of North Carolina launched a “Save Our Ship” (SOS) campaign to rescue the Battleship from being scrapped. It proved a success and the Battleship arrived at its current location in Wilmington, NC in October 1961 and was dedicated in April 1962 at which time it was opened for public tours.

To start the visitor experience on the North Carolina Battleship it is advised to begin with the orientation movie shown in the auditorium and looking at the exhibits in the adjacent hall before heading up the gangway and boarding the Battleship to start the self-guided tour. Once on the Battleship there are clearly marked arrows indicating the route of the tour and information signs explaining the different areas. Please be advised that the Battleship is very large and the average time it takes to tour the nine levels is approximately two hours, since the tour is self-guided visitors can tour at their own pace. Also there are several ladders to climb up and down during the tour and please check in advance to see what the limitations are if guests have any personal mobility issues or restrictions. (Travel note: I would advise visitors to wear the appropriate shoes while on board the Battleship, high heels that could get caught in the metal grates would not be a good choice!! Also, limit the items you take onboard since some of the corridors on the Battleship can become very narrow and possibly crowded, especially if you are visiting during the summer months. Hang onto cellphones, sunglasses and camera or as an extra precaution safely store them while walking on the tour)

For more information regarding hours of operation, admission prices and tour details and directions to the North Carolina Battleship, please visit their website at battleshipnc.com

Bellamy Mansion

Located near downtown Wilmington, NC is the Bellamy Mansion and Museum. The Mansion was the home of John Bellamy, a prosperous doctor and prominent businessman, who lived there during the Civil War period with his wife, Eliza, and their nine children. The elegant twenty-two room house was designed by architect James F. Post in a Greek Revival and Italianate style and was built by local slave laborers and completed by skilled carpenters and artisans. At one point during the Civil War, Federal Troops occupied the house, later the house survived a disastrous fire in 1972 and, years later after extensive restorations, the house is currently administered by a nonprofit organization as a museum with guided tours available. Visitors walk along a quaint oyster path, climb the stairs to enter the elegant 10,000 square foot home through a grand entrance portico with massive white columns typical of southern antebellum houses. Surrounding the house is a lovely Victorian style garden with stately 150 year old magnolia trees and also located on the property are fully-restored slave quarters. For more information about hours, admission fees and directions please check out their website at bellamymansion.org (Travel note: A tour of the Bellamy Mansion is a great historical learning experience for families, but I would recommend that the activity is more appropriate for families with older school aged children since the attention span of toddlers and babies can be very limited)

Poplar Grove Plantation

The Poplar Grove Plantation is located about 21 miles from Wilmington, NC and is less than a half an hour drive. Poplar Grove was once the home of the Foy family from 1795 to 1971 for six generations and was one of the last surviving peanut plantations in North Carolina. When the former house was destroyed in a fire in 1850, Joseph Mumford Foy decided to build the new one closer to the main road. The present 4,284 square foot Manor House has a raised basement brick foundation with a two-story wood-sided structure built on top and it is situated in a beautiful grove of trees dripping with Spanish moss. Poplar Grove is listed on the National Register Historic Places and the Poplar Grove Foundation, a nonprofit organization, administrates the property and the former plantation is available for tours of the house and the grounds. Seasonally, Poplar Grove has various living history demonstrations in the outbuildings on the property. For more information concerning the hours of operation, admission fees and directions, please visit the Poplar Grove Plantation website at poplargrove.org (Travel note: A tour of the previously mentioned Bellamy Mansion located near downtown Wilmington is a great contrast to the Poplar Grove Plantation tour and both experiences are a wonderful way to learn about city and country life during the Civil War Era)

Serpentarium

Located in downtown Wilmington, NC is the Cape Fear Serpentarium which is a very unique indoor zoo featuring some of the rarest and most dangerous reptiles in the world including several species of snakes, such as Anacondas, Pythons and Boa Constrictors. Other exhibits display exotic lizards and crocodiles. The Serpentarium is owned and operated by Dean Ripa, a local Wilmington man who has had a life-long passion for snakes and reptiles. Ripa, the famous herpetologist, became on the first international snake hunters and he has traveled to five continents to work in 30 different countries to provide snakes and reptiles to major zoos, animal facilities and private clients. The Serpentarium is a great family activity for those interested in snakes and reptiles. Now, on a personal note, I have never set foot in the building because I have a major fear of snakes but I am told by both my husband and daughter that it was a great experience for them and they enjoyed it!! For more information on the Sertentarium hours, admission fees and directions, please check out their website at capefearserpentarium.com

Additional places of interest on the coast of North Carolina

North Carolina Maritime Museum in Beaufort – ncmaritimemuseums.com
Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington – capefearmuseum.com
Airlie Gardens in Wilmington – airliegardens.org

If you are interested in seeing the crafts made from the seashells gathered on our visits to the coast of North Carolina or the beach souvenirs that displayed in our home, please click on the following links to the Décor post, Beach Memorabilia Display, and the Craft posts, Seashell Embellished Mirror, Embellished Photo Frames and Seashell Crafts.

Travel – Berlin Wall

Posted on August 13, 2014 by jeff0006

Hi, it’s Jeff again this time writing about the Berlin Wall which was a site I saw frequently while I lived in Berlin during the late 70’s and early 80’s. So, for this post I will write about the history of the Wall and my personal experiences living in Germany when the wall was still a dominate feature in the city of Berlin.

A Brief History of the Berlin Wall

As World War II was coming to a close, the allies met at Yalta and Potsdam to decide on how to deal with Germany after the war. The result of these political discussions was the division of Germany into four sectors. In addition Berlin, the capital of Germany, was also divided into four sections. With the escalation of the cold war and the lowering of the “Iron Curtain” starting in the 1940’s the east was effectively separated from the west, but Berlin was about 100 miles inside the eastern block.

People in the eastern block countries were generally not allowed to travel or immigrate to to the west, but there were no restrictions for people moving between East Germany and the western sections of Berlin so somewhere between 2.5 and 3.5 million people escaped the east between 1945 and 1961. Most of these individuals were skilled professionals and educated youth which risked destabilizing East Germany. Finally in on August 13th, 1961 Stacheldrahtsontag (barbed wire Sunday) happened. The East German military closed off West Berlin with about 114 miles of barbed wire. The Wall was built in stages and, as described in Wikipedia, this is how the Wall looked when I lived in Berlin:

The “fourth-generation wall”, known officially as “Stützwandelement UL 12.11” (retaining wall element UL 12.11), was the final and most sophisticated version of the Wall. Begun in the year 1975 and completed about 1980, it was constructed from 45,000 separate sections of reinforced concrete, each 3.6 metres (12 ft) high and 1.2 metres (3.9 ft) wide, and cost DDM16,155,000 or about US$3,638,000. The concrete provisions added to this version of the Wall were done so as to prevent escapees from driving their cars through the barricades. At strategic points, the Wall was constructed to a somewhat weaker standard, so that East German and Soviet armored vehicles could easily break through in the event of war.

The top of the wall was lined with a smooth pipe, intended to make it more difficult to scale. The wall was reinforced by mesh fencing, signal fencing, anti-vehicle trenches, barbed wire, dogs on long lines, “beds of nails” under balconies hanging over the “death strip”, over 116 watchtowers and 20 bunkers. This version of the Wall is the one most commonly seen in photographs.

The closure of the border split started at midnight without warning. It split families a couple of ways. The most obvious way that it effected the families that lived on the different sides of the border and because of the Wall they couldn’t get to each other. Less obvious were the people who were temporarily on the other side of the border. People who worked on one side, but lived on the other were cut off from their jobs and families! There were no exceptions and if you were on the wrong side you were stuck. After the wall was built, many people still tried to escape the east. The estimates of the number of people killed at the wall range from 136 to over 500.

There were only a few crossing points where people could use to go between West Berlin and East Berlin. As an American associated with the armed forces I was only able to use Checkpoints Alpha and Bravo (between West Germany and Berlin) and the famous Checkpoint Charlie to go to East Berlin. Later after I was no longer associated with the military I would use the standard Friedrichstrasse entrance which was accessible by the subway system.

The demise of the East German state and the Wall started in 1985 when Mikhail Gorbachev came into power in the Soviet Union. His glastnost policy led to the weakening of the Soviet Union’s absolute control over its satellite states. Several states such as Latvia and Lithuania declared their independence. Hungary opened its borders to Austria and the mass exodus began. Anti-government demonstrations in East Germany led to the resignation of the Politburo. Gunter Schabowski took control of the country and the military prepared for action. Fortunately Gunter chose a different path and on November 9th, 1989 he announced that the Wall would be opened “for private trips abroad”. Masses of people flooded the wall and began to us hammers and chisels to knock out pieces. By July of 1990 free elections had been held in East Germany and the country was reunited.

You can find a more interesting and I feel slightly more realistic description of the history of the wall in Fredrick Taylor’s “The Berlin Wall: A Secret History”.

Personal Experience

The Berlin Wall is very personal to me. While living in Berlin it was always a strong presence in the city and I also lived extremely close a section of the Wall and I would often walk along it. The East German side was barren, raked so the guards could see if anyone crossed. The western side was generally overgrown. You could see the guards in their towers and the fortifications on the other side.

Going back in 1999 for my high school reunion was very strange in many ways. When I lived in Berlin, the Wall was always there, ever present, even if unseen. Generally you didn’t think much about it, but in the back of your mind you always knew you could only travel so far within the boundaries of West Berlin. I remember looking at the Brandenburg Gate, it was completely closed off for anyone, east or west and when I got back there there were two things I had to do. The first was have a currywurst, one of the best sausages in the world and one I can’t get in the US. The second was to walk through the Brandenburg gate. Until then I couldn’t really come to terms with the fact that the wall was really gone. It was surreal moment…

It was also strange to me that it was so really, really gone. I understand why it needed to be demolished, but it is so completely gone with no evidence that it had really existed and it was hard to imagine that it was ever really there and had such an impact on the people living in Berlin. I understand there is a small section that is still up as a remembrance, but I did not see it during my trip back there.

I remember the day the wall came down. When they cut through that first section. Honestly, I never thought it would ever happen. My dad was in Germany right around the time the wall came down and he brought us a small piece of the wall. it is brightly painted. I have trouble with that as well. My memories are more black and grey. Color, even though I have seen it in pictures and on TV just don’t go with the the wall – at least not in my mind.

I strongly recommend going to Berlin if you are ever in the area. There is so much to see and so much history. Maybe one day Barbara will write (or have me write) one of her travel posts on the area!

Travel – Disneyland (Part Four)

Posted on July 23, 2014 by barbara

In this next installation of the five part Disneyland series I will discuss New Orleans Square and Critter Country which are two “lands” that were added several years after the park originally opened in 1955. New Orleans Square is a lively and festive area located on the banks of the Rivers of America where two of the most popular rides, the Haunted Mansion and the Pirates of the Caribbean attractions in Disneyland can be found, while in Critter Country there is the exciting thrill ride, Splash Mountain.

New Orleans Square

New Orleans Square opened in 1966 and was part of Walt’s idea that Disneyland would always be forever changing and growing with new attractions. At the dedication ceremony, Walt joked that creating New Orleans Square cost almost as much as the original price of the Louisiana Purchase but sadly this occasion was the last public appearance by Walt before he died in December 1966. The almost three acre area located adjacent to Frontierland cost an estimated $18 million to complete and the design and architecture was inspired by the antebellum era of New Orleans with its classic ironwork and narrow streets filled with restaurants offering delicious creole food and small little shops selling all kinds of souvenirs. Located on the second floor over the Pirates of the Caribbean show building there was once a large apartment that was built for the Disney family, look for the initials of both Walt and Roy Disney in the intricate ironwork on the balcony overhead. Since that time, it has been used as the Disney Gallery store which also featured various ongoing exhibits of Disneyland and this area is currently available to special guests as the only “overnight” accommodations within the park; it is known as the Disneyland Dream Suite.

The next two photos are of the exclusive Disneyland Dream Suite

The first attraction that guests will see upon entering New Orleans Square is the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, it was the last ride that Walt personally oversaw the development and construction and the attraction opened in 1967 three months after his death. Pirates is a dark ride where guests ride boats through various scenes that feature a band of pirates that pillage and loot their way through small towns of the Caribbean while singing the attractions famous song, “Yo Ho, a Pirates life for Me”. With success of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” movie series, in 2006 the character of Jack Sparrow was added to several scenes within the attraction, the audio-animatronic figure is very realistic and a perfect likeness to the character as played by Johnny Depp in the films. Also if you have any pirates or wenches in your group while visiting the park, don’t forget to check out the 2007 refurbished of Tom Sawyer Island which is now the current location known as the Pirate Lair. (Travel tips: #1. Located on the path from Adventureland into New Orleans Square, look for Lafitte’s anchor, which has infamously been said to be the one used on his pirate ship in the Battle of New Orleans, but this could be one of those urban rumors!! #2. While in the boarding area of the ride, look for the sign overhead that reads “Lafitte’s Landing” which is also a reference to the famous pirate, Jean Lafitte, that once roamed the Caribbean. #3. Located in the interior of the Pirates attraction is the adjacent Blue Bayou restaurant which is famous for their Monte Cristo sandwiches, be sure to make a reservation for this popular Disneyland restaurant prior to your visit through the Disneyland Resort Reservations line which can be reached at 714-781-3463 and reservations can be made up to 60 days in advance of a visit) For more detailed information about the Pirates of the Caribbean ride, please click on the link.

003 - Pirates of the Caribbean - jail scene

Located on the other side of the Disneyland Railroad New Orleans Station is the Haunted Mansion attraction, one of the most popular rides in Disneyland and features a ride on the patented Omnimover vehicles, also known as “Doom Buggies”, which take guests through a not-so-spooky haunted house filled with audio-animatronic ghosts and a variety of other special effects. (For more detailed information on this New Orleans attraction, please click on the link, Disneyland’s Haunted Mansion, which was originally posted in October 2013)

Critter Country

Critter Country is located in the area of Disneyland that was formerly a part of the old Frontierland called Indian Village. The Indian Village was originally the site inspired by the Native Americans culture of the old western frontier and where there were daily demonstrations of their dances and other customs; it was also the original site of an attraction called the Indian War Canoes. Indian Village closed in 1971, refurbished and expanded into a new re-themed four acre area that reopened in 1972 as Bear Country. The Country Bear Jamboree became the main attraction in this area of the park and featured audio-animatronic bears and other animals that put on a fun musical show. Also located to this new section of the park were the new Hungry Bear Restaurant and the renamed Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes. In 1988, Bear Country was renamed Critter Country and a year later Splash Mountain opened and instantly became one of Disneyland’s most popular thrill rides. Eventually the Country Bear Jamboree closed in 2001 and was replaced two years later by a new attraction called the Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh.

As previously mentioned, the Davy Crockett Explorer Canoes were originally located in the old Frontierland Indian Village. The 35 foot long canoes hold up to twenty guests, not including the two cast member guides at the front and the back of the boat. The ride takes guests on a circular route that travels 2,400 around Tom Sawyer Island and, since the canoes are free-floating in the Rivers of America, the length of the trip depends on how fast the guests can paddle, the attraction operates seasonally and shuts down with inclement weather and also does not run at night.

Splash Mountain opened in 1989 and is based on the 1946 Disney film “Song of the South”. As the $75 million cost of the attraction’s construction went severely over budget, there was an idea presented at that time to refurbish the characters from the recently closed America Sings attraction in Tomorrowland. Splash Mountain takes guests on an fun ride in flume logs as they gently float past several scenes recreated from the movie, the basic storyline is that Brer Rabbit is on a search for his special “laughing place” but encounters some trouble from Brer Fox and Brer Bear along his journey, until the exciting 53 foot steep drop that takes guests into the briar patch and concludes with a final scene of all the audio-animatronic characters singing the song “Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah” in celebration that Brer Rabbit is safe! (Travel tip: Located on the ride, shortly before entering the interior scenes of the attraction, listen closely for the sounds of snoring coming from Brer Bear’s cave, this is a tribute to the original entrance to the old Bear Country that had a bear named Rufus also snoring in his cave)

Splash Mountain Brer Bear house May 2007

The most recent attractions added to Critter Country is The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh ride which opened in 2003. The Disney Studios has made several animated films based on the series of books by A.A. Milne about Winnie the Pooh and his friends from the Hundred Acre Woods and the ride features various scenes from the stories with colorful audio-animatronics and other delightful sights and sounds. During the 1983 Fantasyland major refurbishment there was briefly a proposed Winnie the Pooh ride but it was never built and the attraction was eventually placed in Critter Country on the site of the former Country Bear Jamboree which closed in 2001. Located just outside of the attraction, the Winnie the Pooh, Eeyore and Tigger characters are usually available to greet guests, take photos and give autographs, but be prepared because the line is usually long and very slow moving. (Travel tips: Look for the figure of Winnie the Pooh floating up and down attached to the string of a balloon, this mechanism at one time lowered “Teddi Barra” from the ceiling in the old Counrty Bear Jamboree attraction. Also when entering the final scene of the ride, look backwards and over the doorway the vehicle just passed through are the three “trophy” heads of Max the buck, Buff the buffalo and Melvin the moose that were once used in the Country Bear Jamboree that were placed there as a tribute to the former attraction)

This post completes the tours of New Orleans Square and Critter Country but be sure to check out the four additional posts in the Disneyland series. Part One – The history of Disneyland, Part Two – Main Street and Fantasyland, Part Three – Adventureland and Frontierland, Part Five – Tomorrowland and Mickey’s Toontown.

The Enchanted Manor

a lifestyle blog by Barbara Jones

Category Archives: Travel

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