U.S.S. Cod - Trip report aboard a WWII submarine

While on our roller-coaster trip a few weeks ago, we had extra time one day in Ohio, so we decided to visit the U.S.S. Cod. This is a WWII-era submarine with several confirmed sinkings to its name. It's apparently the ONLY sub of that era to be maintained as a museum without alterations. Most museum ships and boats cut holes into walls, add railings, and alter the ships in other ways to make life easier for visiting tourists. Not the Cod. The hatches are original. If you want in the sub, you climb in the same way as the sailors did those decades ago.

Why mention my visit to the Cod on this blog, which is themed to Orlando-area theme parks? Because it's relevant to consider "side trips" on a vacation. Doing one thing single-mindedly can get tiring after two weeks, so the side trips become increasingly important. There is no shortage of things to do in Orlando, though nothing on the historical scale of the Cod. Orlando is more about simulation than reality. But the takeaway point is that sometimes, vacations really benefit from activities that are a different pace. Slow down and do something different.

It was a fascinating two hours we spent on the Cod, and I really recommend it. Next time around I'll find time to squeeze in the carrier Yorktown (in Charleston). I guess I'm slowly working my way through WWII museums!

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Kevin Yee is the author of numerous independent Disney books, including the popular Walt Disney World Earbook series and Walt Disney World Hidden History.