The Scorpion Submarine

Until the Bearded One and I went down to visit the Queen Mary, I had no idea The Scorpion Submarine existed or that touring it was even an option. Once we knew that we could, we couldn’t pass up the chance to see it. After buying our tickets and passing through the gift shop, we crossed a bouncing gangplank to the Scorpion’s top deck before climbing down into the sub. 

Once you get into the cramped halls and tiny rooms, you forget how big it looked when you were walking around on top of it. The photos don’t do the tight space justice. I somehow managed not to hit my head ducking through hatches and doorways but my toes were not so lucky. Seems like I violently found every step, rise, and pipe despite my best efforts not too.

One of the facts broadcast through speakers across the sub was that, during it’s operation, 79 souls lived and worked on the Scorpion. Imagining 79 people crammed into that sub is an exercise in claustrophobia. I’m not remotely claustrophobic but I was glad to be back in the open air after 30 minutes in that sub with a scant 5 other people. Happy I went during the week when it wasn’t crowded. The other bonus was that only the Bearded One got to see me awkwardly crawl/fall through the compartment hatches. Figured out how to climb through by the end but I wasn’t any more graceful about it. 

If you can push claustrophobia aside, the Scorpion Submarine is worth a visit. Just watch your toes. 

Part 1: To The Aquarium of the Pacific

Part 2: Exploring The Queen Mary

Part 3: The Scorpion Submarine

Exploring the Queen Mary

Ever since moving to Los Angeles last year, my Mom’s been telling me to visit the Queen Mary in Long Beach. Took over a year but the Bearded One and I finally went after our visit to the Aquarium of  the Pacific. Since we went during the week, the ship wasn’t crowded and it seemed like we had the place mostly to ourselves. The two of us trekked up and down decks, through quiet hotel corridors (it’s still a functioning hotel), down the promenade, and stopped to catch our breath on the bridge. The history and grandeur of the Queen Mary was impossible to miss and it was easy to image what taking a voyage on the ship during its heyday must have been like. 

Part 1: Aquarium of the Pacific

Part 2: Exploring the Queen Mary

Part 3: The Scorpion Submarine

To The Aquarium of the Pacific

To celebrate my birthday on Friday, The Bearded One and I went to The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. I love visiting Aquariums so this was a great treat. It’s fascinating to watch fish, sharks, jellyfish, and all matter of creatures swim. Some use large tails to get around, some use tiny fins, and others jet around with squirts of water. Seems like I’m getting a peak at an alien world. Plus, I get to see octopuses which are pretty awesome even if they do hide from the camera. 

Next up, The Queen Mary and Scorpion Submarine.

Surprise Stash

Every so often, I get The Urge. The Urge follows not the logic that I have plenty of yarn already. Numerous visits to my obsessively cataloged stash page on Ravelry mean nothing. More often then not, there's no project to buy for. Just the want, nay, need for more yarn. Most of the time I can fight off the beast but Thursday was hard since I happened to be at knit night and sitting next to the wall o' sock yarn. Thankfully, I managed to get out the door with less yarn than I came in with.

When I got home, The Urge was far from squelched but it didn't last too much longer as I got several, belated birthday presents. The first was 2 skeins of Fingering 55 by Claudia Hand Painted Yarns. Eventually, you'll see this yarn again as a pair of socks.

The second gift was two skeins of Plymouth Happy Feet. I've really enjoyed this yarn in the past and am beyond thrilled at having enough for another pair of socks. The colors are a bit out of my normal range but they've really grown on me. Now, I just need to find the right pattern.

Now, the coup de gras, two skeins of Malabrigo Sock in Stonechat. This yarn is not destined to be a pair of socks but rather a shawl of gigantic and cosy proportions. The problem with this is that I'm having a hard time choosing a pattern. On the top of my list is the Textured Shawl Recipe and Stephen Wests' Pogona. Neither of them are heavy on the lace and I can easily make them larger which is what I like about them. I still can't make up my mind though. Any suggestions for a fingering weight shawl that'll use 880 yards? I could really use the help.

Before I go, Thanks B! The yarn and all of its potential is awesome. Plus, you've silenced The Urge and I can't thank you enough for that.

Wrap Up

My birthday was last weekend and, in order to celebrate being halfway though my twenties, good times were had. There was good company, good food, and good yarn. Lots of good yarn. Plus, a few good books too. Now that the weekend is several days past, I'm several dozen pages intoFever Dream and following the exploits of one of my favorite literary characters, Aloysius Pendergast. Based on the frenetic pace with which I read the first 60 pages, it won't be long before I'm reading The Girl Who Played With Fire.

During birthday lunch, my dad asked how old I was. My reply, "Old enough." I'll probably say that next year too but, like the pages of my book, I'm sure this year will pass far too quickly.