Battleship Cove, Fall River, Massachusetts, USA

When Doug said he wanted to visit Battleship Cove while we were in Massachusetts I have to admit that I really wasn't that interested. I'm not really into military history. But, being a good wife, I planned a day for us to go. And I am so glad I did; it was amazing.

Battleship Cove is the world's largest naval ship exhibit featuring four ships you can explore, basically from top to bottom:

• the USS Massachusetts, a battleship built in Quincy, Massachusetts
• the USS Joseph P. Kennedy Jr., a destroyer, also built in Quincy, Massachusetts
• the USS Lionfish, a Balao-class submarine
  
• the Hiddensee, a Tarantul I class corvette built near St. Petersburg and commissioned by the East German People's Navy
• and the USS Fall River, whose bow is at the entrance of Battleship Cove

It's rather awe-inspiring to see these ships up close. The USS Massachusetts is a city unto itself and has a restaurant/snack bar area, a Memorial Room, a Crewmember's Exhibit, a Women's Veteran's Exhibit, a PT Boat Exhibit and so much more. I'm not even sure we saw it all the ship was so huge. We were able to view every aspect of the ship, from the Officers' Mess to the kitchens, the Main Galley to the Machine Shop.

One of the coolest things about Battleship Cove is that organized youth groups can actually camp on the ship and learn about shipboard life- they even have assigned duties and learn to tie knots.

We spent the majority of our time on the USS Massachusetts - just because it was so huge. Check out the size of the anchor. The girls also got to turn the guns - with a hand crank.


The USS Lionfish, the submarine, confirmed my suspicion that I am just a wee bit claustrophobic. It was very cramped and I can't even imagine living on one, let alone trying to shower, cook or relieve myself. Seeing the very small spaces the men had... Yikes.

Brenna, however, was the perfect size for the submarine. She fit into the small spaces and was able to move through the doors with ease. Even when encountering people coming toward us. It was quite an experience.

The USS Kennedy was much like the USS Cassin Young, which we saw at the Boston Naval Shipyard.

Touring the Russian corvette was interesting. You could see the differences between American technology and Russian.

Also at Battleship cove are a PT Boat exhibit hall, a mechanized landing craft, a Japanese motorboat (for suicide missions), a Cobra attack helicopter, a Huey helicopter, an anti-sub helicopter and a T-28 trainer plane and a very beautiful 9/11 memorial.

It is incredibly easy to spend the majority of your day here.

Battleship Cove Factoids

Fall River is just under an hour from Boston. Directions can be found here.

Hours:
9 am- 4:30 pm (spring)
9 am- 5 pm (summer)
open 362 days (Closed Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day)

Cost:

Adults	$14
Seniors & AAA	$12
Children aged 6-12	$8
Children under 6	FREE
Active military	$6
Military in uniform	FREE
*Group rate (adult)	$12
*Group rate (ages 6-12)	$7
*Educational rate	$5
*Nautical Nights	$40-55

Main areas of both the battleship and destroyer as well as all attractions on the pier are handicapped accessible.

Also in Fall River

Directly next to Battleship Cove is the Fall River Carousel. Built in 1920 during the "Golden Age" of wooden carousels it was saved, refurbished and now site is a grand structure with a beautiful view of the ships. The carousel is open mid-spring thru early fall and can be booked year round for parties.

The infamous Lizzie Borden house, now a B&B is also located in Fall River. We planned to take an afternoon tour but spent too much time at Battleship Cove.

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Killarney for Kids: Mystical Rose B&B, Dining and Handy Hints

We spent 4 days and 3 nights around Killarney. There is a reason this is one of Ireland's tourist hot-spots - there is so much to do! We didn't even scratch the surface. Kid friendly doesn't even begin to describe all you can do in and around Killarney.

We had actually planned to spend our time in Killarney at a B&B/riding stable just outside of town. I had made my reservation online and had it confirmed through the booking agency. I was not, however, able to reach anyone at the B&B itself until the day before we were to arrive. Imagine my surprise when I was told that they were not open (due to circumstances beyond their control) and had not received notice of my reservation. That left us scrambling for a 3 day reservation the evening before arriving in Killarney. Handy tip: always get a confirmation via email from the B&B itself. Even better, call and speak to the owner to confirm your arrival before you leave on vacation.

Happily, I was able to get a reservation on very short notice at Noreen O'Mahoney's Mystical Rose Country Home. Mystical Rose is Frommer's recommended and Noreen has received Irish Welcome Certificates of Merit from Falite Ireland (by nomination submitted by happy travelers).

Noreen is the friendliest hostess I have ever encountered. She went above and beyond to make our daughters comfortable and help us with anything we needed during our stay. Noreen knows everyone in Killarney (it seems) and can steer you in the right direction for any need you may have.

Mystical Rose has six rooms, all ensuite and quite cozy, with televisions, hair dryers and a desk/dressing table. Noreen will provide a cot upon request. She did not have a high chair when we visited so be sure to remember your travel booster if you have a little one. (Although she may have a booster of her own soon as she was quite impressed with ours!)

Noreen serves an generous Irish breakfast in the mornings accompanied by toast and brown bread, coffee or tea and orange juice. She made wonderful pancakes (thin like a crepe) for the girls that were melt-in-your-mouth delish.

Noreen is full of wonderful stories about Killarney and can set you up on any tour you would like to take (like I said, she knows practically everyone) and give you great advice on what to see. She's also great with kids. Our first morning Brenna had finished her breakfast long before the rest of us. Noreen had just been telling Brenna about her horse and Brenna, loving horses, wanted to see it. So Noreen took her along to feed the horse. She went out of her way and made a little girl's day. (Brenna still talks about the horses.)

Mystical Rose Country Home is within walking distance of Killarney's tourist center- about a 15-20 minute walk- a nice stroll that will save you the hassle of finding a parking spot during busy tourist seasons.


Laundry to Do? If you checked out my packing post you know that we packed clothes for four days and planned to do laundry. Noreen had us go to Gleeson Laundrette on Brewery Lane. It's a tiny bit of a "street" (more like an alley, really) just across from where the jaunting carts line up on Kenmare Place and around the corner from Lir Cafe and Chocolates. If you don't know it's there you'll miss it...

I was able to drop my laundry off in the morning and pick it up in the evening. It was washed, dried and folded. I had a huge pullman full of clothes and I paid €24 to have it done. And we didn't lose any sightseeing time.

Dining

There is no lack of dining in Killarney. You can find anything and everything here. Just remember that dining out is expensive... And dining at one of the nicer restaurants is even more so. Especially in a town that thrives on tourism.

One of the first things Brenna saw as we entered Killarney was a McDonalds. Yep, McDonalds. There is also a Burger King. And, yes, we had Happy Meals one night. It made the girls happy which is always a big plus.

Another evening we ate at Allegro on Plunkett Street. It's a sit-down fast food type restaurant that serves fish and chips, pizza, burgers and fried chicken. A bit of something for everyone. It was inexpensive and, if you want, they can deliver to some areas.

One place you will definitely eat in Ireland is a pub. Killarney has a plethora of pubs. On College Street you will find Murphy's of Killarney. Consisting of Murphy's Bar, Lord Kenmare's Restaurant, Squire's Bar and Murphy's Accommodatins you have a few choices. We had a pleasant dinner in Squire's Bar our final night in Killarney. They had a very nice children's menu (the girls split a plate of pasta and also munched on our dinners of Shepherd's Pie, Irish Stew and Fish & Chips). It's a great place to relax, enjoy the atmosphere and a Bulmer's.

More Killareny for Kids:
Shopping
Kennedy's Animal, Bird and Pet Farm
Killarney National Park, Ross Castle, and Muckross House, Friary and Traditional Farms

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Glendine House B&B, Arthurstown, County Wexford, Ireland

We spent two nights at Glendine Country House during our last trip to Ireland. If you are traveling from Dublin the trip will take approximately 3 hours. If you are coming from Waterford City Glendine House is only 10k via car ferry (a great adventure for little ones!)

We arrived at Glendine House quite tired from the flight, the driving (and getting lost) and exploring Glendalough. We were warmly greeted by Rita who showed us our very nicely appointed rooms and prepared a lovely tea with scones and jam for us in the parlor.

Glendine House, owned by Ann and Tom Crosbie, is a Georgian Manor built in 1830 and has a wonderful history: (from their website) The 18th Century former Dower House of the Marquis of Donegal was built in 1830. It was first occupied by the Chichester family and later by land agents until one of them absconded with a Nursery Nurse causing a great scandal. Home to the Crosbie family for over 60 years, Glendine retains many of its original 1830 features and is full of old world charm.

The rooms are filled with antiques and are quite spacious. All have ensuite bathrooms (also quite spacious) with shower, sink and toilet. The room Doug & I shared with our youngest daughter had a double bed, amoire, dresser with mirror and a wonderful sitting area in the alcove with a view of the Barrow Estuary and a field of sheep. A television was almost hidden in an upper corner of the room. We requested a cot (pack and play) for our daughter and were very pleased with the crib and bedding that was set up.

The room my mother and eldest daughter shared had two twin beds, an antique dresser and a chair in the small alcove. My mother doesn't remember a TV being in that room but I'm guessing that Brenna kept her too busy to notice it. This room was next to ours and also had a beautiful view.

Our rooms were in the older portion of the house and had a lovely sitting area in a wide hallway where we could relax together. Glendine House was completely renovated in 2005 and has 6 "new" rooms as well, also very nicely turned out. For a romantic getaway I recommend their suite. I snuck a peek at it and it's wonderful.

If you wish to be a bit more "on your own" Glendine House also offers cottages with a full kitchen.

A full breakfast was offered every morning in the dining room, also filled with antiques. The cold buffet included cereal, fruit and yogurt. Cooked breakfasts included the "Full Irish"- quite tasty (and filling), smoked salmon and French toast as well as yummy brown bread and toast.

Of course all of this makes for a wonderful stay but the reason I chose Glendine House really had to do with my daughters. They have an outdoor play area, Highland cattle, Jacob Sheep and Fallow deer (which can be hand fed carrots).

If you're like me and ship items ahead Ann and her assistant Joan will make sure they are waiting in your room when you arrive.

Glendine House has something for absolutely everyone.

Dining while at Glendine House:

Our first night at Glendine House we had been traveling for about 28 hours. All we wanted was food and bed. Luckily there is a Centra (grocery) about two miles from Glendine House. We picked up some bread, meats, cheese and other odds and ends and had a "picnic" in the parlor. Rita brought us more scones, jam and tea, as well.

Our second night, after wandering the countyside, we asked for a recommendation and were directed to The Hollow Bar. The night we went was Mother's Day (the fourth Sunday in the month of Lent) and the place was packed. We were able to be seated in the bar area at a very small table with barely enough room for the 5 of us. Because it was a holiday I will give them a pass on being out of a few of the dishes on the menu. What we were served, however, was nothing memorable. The steak was very fatty and overcooked (I know you don't order steak in Ireland- but they were out of the fish.) The service was slow (again because of the holiday?) and the waitress we had seemed overwhelmed. All in all it was a mediocre meal that cost over $100.

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Just A Little Something

When we stay in B&Bs I like to leave a little "thank you" gift. Even though you pay for the stay quite often you get more from your hosts than just a place to lay your head and a nice meal. For our upcoming trip to Ireland I wanted an "Iowa" gift.

When we travel it is funny how people perceive Iowa. Quite often we are confused with Idaho. And if people do know where we are their thoughts turn to corn and pigs. Which we have in abundance.

I think I found the perfect gift to leave... Jolly Time Iowa Popcorn on the cob. It's small, it's light, and who doesn't like popcorn?

I found this great little item at Heart of Iowa Marketplace, a great little shop in Historic Valley Junction(a great place to visit if you happen to come to Des Moines).

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