Working The List

One of the top things on Jac’s CA must-do list, right after eating at Cheesecake Factory (been there twice in 8 days) and McDonald’s, was going to an aquarium.

Queen of the world

Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is the closest big aquarium 

 Our first in-the-wild sighting of a self-driving car; bridges to Terminal Island

but it’s still a minimum 2 hour drive each way (thru LA traffic so it can be muuuuuuuuch longer). 

So might as well make it an overnight trip and take Jac to one of our favorite hotels* - the original Queen Mary, docked just around the corner from AoP.

 Our mini-suite. Love the original furniture and wood paneling

We had dinner (surprisingly good) on board 

 Top deck - Jac forgot her sunglasses…

- parking is so.messed.up. there’s no way we were going out then have to find our way back in again - 

before wandering the upper decks to show Jac the sights. 

 Outside the bridge

Having seen most of the ship, want to know the thing she’s most impressed with? Having her own bedroom and bath in our mini-suite. 

 I  lifted Jac up since she wasn’t tall enough to reach the opening… last time I’ll do that! Little girl is heavy now!

We’ve taken all the grandkids except Donovan (one day, when he comes back to visit…) to spend a night here. Such great memories!

 ‘Push’ handle for toilet; last time we were here the four knobs had handles for regular water-hot and cold and sea water-hot and cold.

* It’s a favorite because it’s different and more of a museum than hotel. QM does have a few(!) quirks, which the reception staff warns you about at check-in. No individual temp control in the rooms (ours is freeeeeezing, but it’s better than being too hot like last time); the walls are *very* thin and if you have neighbors (we don’t seem to this trip) you will definitely hear them; bathrooms are clean and well-kept but the fixtures are old and quirky - we think it’s fun and part of the charm.