My Town Monday: Long Beach, CA

We're here in the OC for water polo Junior Olympics. Go, Child #2 and Child #3!!

So, on this fine and balmy Monday, my post comes to you from the not-too-far-away port of Long Beach.

Where a diesel-electric attack RUSSIAN submarine is moored next to the Queen Mary. You can take a self-guided tour of this still-operational sub. I should mention, though, it is a bit of a challenge to maneuver around.

In 1994, a group of businessmen purchased the submarine, known as the Scorpion. The Scorpion was built in 1974 just outside St. Petersburg and commissioned into the Soviet Navy where she completed secret missions for about twenty years. She was one of the quietest Soviet subs and was definitely used for US surveillance.

Climb down the hatch into the squishy quarters and see such things as torpedo rooms, the control room, bunks (which were shared), the kitchen, a periscope and more. Plus all the instruments are labeled in Russian. Something about that just grabbed me.

It'll cost you about $12 (adults) and $10 (kids). For more info, call 562-432-0424 or click here for more info about the Scorpion. Oh yeah, and the address is 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802-6390.

It's definitely worth the time and money to be able to brag, "I was on board a Russian sub." And, if you're looking to impress, here's how you say it in Russian:Podvodnaya Lodka. Sorry. No hints on pronunciation.

Many thanks to Travis Erwin for spearheading the My Town Monday posts. Click here for Travis' on-the-road post and for links to the other My Town Monday participants.

Back to more water polo...