The National Naval Aviation Museum is impressive

Located at the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, Florida, the National Naval Aviation Museum is impressive in every way. Packed to overflowing with military aircraft from the early years through today, the museum offers two floors of displays in the main building, a second hanger out back and a trolley tour of the flight line. Dad and I spent the better part of a day there last month. 

Getting to the Naval Aviation Museum 

The museum is on the grounds of the Pensacola Naval Air Station

As the Pensacola Naval Air Station is a working military base, security is tight. All adults will need to show ID. Weapons of any type are not permitted on base, and your car may be searched. Visitors are issued a pass valid for travel to specific attractions including the Naval Aviation Museum, Pensacola Lighthouse and Fort Barrancas. You are not permitted in any other sections of the base.

Touring the Museum 

A guided tour is highly recommended

Dad and I had several things on the day’s agenda, so we were eager to tour as efficiently as possible. Museum admission is free, but optional activities such as the IMAX theater and motion simulators charge a small fee. Since we were pressed for time, we opted not to participate in any separately-priced activities. 

Voyages to the Stars is an elaborate space flight exhibit

Free guided tours of the ground floor depart every hour throughout the day, so we selected the 11:00 tour. We had just enough time to see the second floor on our own before our walking tour. If you or your kids are into space history, don’t miss the Voyages to the Stars exhibit. We walked through all the exhibits and got a few photos, but definitely did not see the second floor in depth. 

Our guide was both knowledgeable and enthusiastic

The walking tour is highly recommended for all ages. Our guide was exceptionally knowledgeable, quite friendly and very good at keeping everyone engaged. Each plane has a small plaque describing its importance, allowing you to see the museum on your own, but a written description is no substitute for an enthusiastic guide. You will learn more about naval aviation than you ever imagined, and will have a fantastic time in the process. 

Flight Line Tour 

The flight line is only accessible by trolley tour

The flight line is accessible only by timed trolley tour. If you are interested in the flight line, pick up free tickets as soon as you arrive. We got there around 10:15 and the first available trolley tour was at 1:00. The indoor tour ended shortly before 12:30, leaving us just enough time to grab a bite to eat. The on-site café was both efficient and reasonably priced, and the food was excellent. Portions are huge, so plan to split if your family has smaller appetites. 

Our tour guide was a retired combat pilot

We had a really cool connection with the trolley tour guide. He was a combat pilot during Operation Eagle Claw in 1980, when our Navy attempted to rescue hostages from Iran. Our guide flew one of the planes off the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. My dad also participated in Operation Eagle Claw on board the USS California, a nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser that accompanied the Nimitz. 

The flight line tour was a lot of fun. Approximately 50 aircraft are stored along the flight line, and the tour guide told us stories that really brought the planes and their importance to life. My only complaint is that the trolley was extremely hot. I’m hoping that the air conditioning was just broken that day. Otherwise I feel really sorry for the guides! 

Aircraft Restoration Tours 

When aircraft arrive at the museum, they generally need a great deal of work. A dedicated group of volunteers perform all the labor, getting the planes and helicopters into pristine museum-ready (though not flight-ready) condition. Tours of the restoration facility are offered Monday through Friday on a very limited basis. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to get tickets, but I understand that the tour is incredibly interesting. 

Blue Angels 

The Blue Angels planes were fun!

The Pensacola Naval Air Station is home to the Blue Angels demonstration squadron. During the season, which lasts from March through November, the Blue Angels hold practice sessions behind the museum. Admission is free to the public, although arriving extremely early is recommended. Practices are generally held Tuesday and Wednesday mornings with an autograph session inside the museum following Wednesday sessions. However, the schedule is subject to change, so it is always best to call before showing up. 

Unfortunately, Dad and I were there in February, so we missed the Blue Angels. Instead, we had to content ourselves with taking silly pictures inside one of the Blue Angels planes on display inside. I always wanted to be a Blue Angel, but they don’t take women on the squadron. So it was particularly exciting for me to get into the plane! 

Tips for Parents 

What kid can resist the F-14 Tomcat, aka Top Gun?

The museum is huge, and could be overwhelming for smaller kids. The tours are a great way to keep kids interested, as the guides truly make their stories come alive. If you want to see things in more depth, allow plenty of time for rest breaks. The grounds are fairly expansive, providing a wonderful place to run around and burn off some energy. 

Decide in advance whether you will participate in the fee-based optional activities. We had a fantastic time without adding those activities, but they did look rather exciting. If we visit again, we want to do the Top Gun Air Combat Simulator. These are legitimate trainers that were actually used to train pilots throughout the era of the F-14 Tomcat, the plane made famous by the Tom Cruise movie Top Gun. At $25 per person, it isn’t cheap, but I have a feeling it’s worth the money. Kids must be at least 10 years old for the Top Gun simulator, but only 3 years old for the milder motion simulators.

The Fort Barrancas Overlook provides a great perspective

Located high on a bluff on the grounds of the modern-day Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fort Barrancas was one of three forts built to protect Pensacola’s deep water port in the early 1840s. The site has been home to forts of three nations–Spain, England and the United States. Dad and I decided to visit during our trip to Pensacola last month.

History of Fort Barrancas   

The Spanish Water Battery is still breathtaking

The first fort on the site was Spanish, constructed in 1698 and destroyed by the French in 1719. Spain traded Florida to England in 1763 in exchange for Havana, Cuba, and British rulers constructed a new fort. During the Second Spanish period, which began in 1781, a masonry water battery was added at sea level. Over the next ten years, the Spanish improved the fort and named it Fort San Carlos de Barrancas. Pensacola was again occupied by the British during the War of 1812. When Andrew Jackson, then allied with the Spanish, arrived in 1814, the British fled, blowing up the fort on their way out. Again under Spanish rule, the fort was rebuilt in 1817.   

West Florida became a territory of the United States in 1821. Construction began on a new brick fort in 1839, replacing the older wooden structure. The masonry water battery was kept, and the two were connected by tunnels. An advanced redoubt was added a half mile away during the 1850s and 1860s to better protect the fort from land-based attacks.   

The parade grounds are well protected

In January 1861, only a handful of U.S. soldiers were garrisoned in Fort Barrancas. Fort Pickens, across the bay, was unoccupied. One night a group of militia from Florida and Alabama arrived at Fort Barrancas. Opinions differ on their purpose–some say they intended to take the fort, others claim they were merely gathering information. In any event, the guards at the gate fired several musket shots and the visitors left. The date was January 8, 1861, two days before Florida officially seceded from the Union and one day before shots were fired on the relief ship Star of the West in Charleston. It was nearly three months before the events at Fort Sumter.   

Union troops soon retreated to the more easily defended Fort Pickens, and the Confederacy took control of Fort Barrancas. The two took shots at each other for the next year, but did virtually no damage. Cannons of the time were accurate to approximately one mile, and the forts are a mile and a half apart. Confederate forces retreated in 1862.   

The fort is laid out in a roughly circular pattern

After the Civil War, the fort was used for various military purposes. It was deactivated in 1947 and became a National Historic Landmark in 1960. Following an extensive restoration, Fort Barrancas opened to the public in 1980.   

Arriving at the Fort   

Fort Barrancas is on the grounds of the Pensacola Naval Air Station, a working military base. The general public is permitted to visit the fort, the Pensacola Lighthouse and the National Naval Aviation Museum. All adults must show photo identification at the guard gate, and your vehicle is subject to search. Weapons are not allowed on base.

Visiting the Fort   

The interplay of light and shadow creates wonderful photographs

Fort Barrancas is free to the public. Guided tours depart daily at 2:00 from the Visitor Center. Although you are allowed to tour the fort on your own, the guides share stories and interesting tidbits that help bring the history to life.   

The fort is laid out in a roughly circular pattern surrounding an open parade ground. It is impossible to get lost in the fort, although the endless brick rooms can make you feel slightly disoriented. Sunlight coming through the windows creates an interesting interplay of light and shadows, making Fort Barrancas a photographer’s dream. The tunnel to the Spanish water battery is still open to the public, as are the stairs to the top of the water battery. The views of Pensacola Bay are truly stunning.

Tips for Parents   

The water battery stairs are steep and narrow

As our guide kept reminding us, the fort was built for 1800s military efficiency, not modern safety. The brick floors are uneven and even on the sunniest day, the fort is dimly lit. The tunnel to the water battery is steep and dark, utilizing both ramps and stairs. The steps to the top of the water battery are narrow and steep, with no handrail. Keep a close eye on your kids, especially younger ones whose sense of balance may not be as well developed as an adult’s.   

Kids seem to be fascinated by forts in general, and Fort Barrancas is highly entertaining. Guides are extremely knowledgeable and excellent at interacting with visitors of all ages. Free of charge and easy to see in only a couple of hours, Fort Barrancas is a great stop on any family vacation to Pensacola.

Welcome to Fort Pickens

Fort Pickens, Florida is part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore that includes barrier islands along the Mississippi and Florida gulf coasts. Acquired by the National Park Service (NPS) in 1971, Fort Pickens today includes a series of former military defense batteries, a quartz sand beach and an extensive campground.

Fort Pickens Road

There's only one road on and off the island

The new road, opened in 2009, is intentionally built below grade. This allows sand to wash over the road surface, minimizing damage from future flooding. However, it also means that the road may flood during even relatively minor storms, potentially stranding campers on the island for a few days. Call ahead to determine road conditions before your trip, and consider packing a few extra supplies.

As of 2011, it costs $8 per vehicle or $3 per person (biking, walking, etc.) to enter the Fort Pickens property. The fee is valid for up to seven days. A Gulf Islands Annual Pass costs $25. The park also honors National Park Service passes. Each pass provides free entry for everyone in the pass holder’s vehicle, or the pass holder plus three adults and all accompanying children.

The Campground

The Fort Pickens Campground is well-maintained

Fort Pickens offer nearly 200 campsites on five loops. Loops A, C, and E are mostly used by RVs, while the smaller sites on loops B and D are best for tent campers. I was surprised to see how much the campground was shaped and changed by Hurricanes Ivan and Dennis. In 2003, my then-husband and I tent camped on a wonderfully spacious two-level site. We pitched our tent at the top of the small hill. Our fire ring was at ground level below. We lined the walkway between with tiki torches, which illuminated the site beautifully. Sadly, that gorgeous site was flattened by the hurricanes.

Nonetheless, the campground has been meticulously repaired. Some signs of damage remain, but the campsites are clean and well-maintained, each providing a fire ring and picnic table. The RV parking pads, which were recently resurfaced, are nicely level and free of debris. It is obvious that both the rangers and volunteers put a great deal of effort into the campground. A camp store sells a limited menu of food items along with a wide range of camping supplies, including firewood.

The self registration kiosks are easy to use

For most of the year, campground reservations are available on the websites reserveamerica.com and recreation.gov, and are highly recommended. From November through February, however, the campground is walkup-only. The main ranger station can advise you as to whether sites are available and provide any last-minute information you need. For example, shortly before we arrived there was a break in the water line. Although it had been repaired, Loops C and E were under a Boil Water Order. We chose to stay in Loop A to avoid having to boil our water.

Self-registration kiosks are located along the main roads to each campground loop. Simply take a list of site lengths and a self registration envelope. Choose your site and insert your payment into the envelope. Rip off the top flap of the envelope and place it on the post at your site, and deposit the envelope in the drop safe outside the Campground Office. You may pay by cash, check or credit card.

As of 2011, the camping fee is $20 per night for both tents and RVs. The National Park Service Golden Age and Golden Access passes, for seniors or those with disabilities, provide a 50 percent discount, although standard annual passes do not.

The Fort and Batteries

The gun batteries are a great place to have some fun

It is possible to visit both the main fort and the associated gun batteries in a single day. Guided fort tours are offered at 2 p.m. every afternoon, so we headed out around 10:30 a.m. to visit the batteries. We were able drive around and take photos, read descriptive signs and even get out to climb some of the batteries, and were finished by 1:30 p.m. We stopped by our RV for lunch, and then drove down to the fort.

The fort tour was a lot of fun. Our guide was terrific at providing history in an entertaining, easy to follow manner. Fort Pickens was built in the 1820s as part of a three-fort defensive line protecting the deep water port of Pensacola. Fort McRee sank into the ocean as part of the natural changes that occur on barrier islands, but the third fort, Barrancas, is open for tours on the grounds of the Pensacola Naval Air Station.

Our tour guide was fantastic

Constructed entirely of brick arches, which prevent them from sinking into the wet sand, both Fort Pickens and Fort Barrancas provided excellent defense against the smooth-bore cannons of the 1800s. But they never saw real combat until the Civil War. Pickens remained in Union hands, while Barrancas was taken by the Confederacy. However, their cannons were accurate only to a distance of about one mile. The forts are a mile and a half apart. So they traded lots of cannonballs, but did no real damage to each other.

The fort is entirely supported by brick arches

After the Civil War, Fort Pickens was abandoned. In 1886, it was used as a prison for legendary Apache leader Geronimo and some of his men. For decades, modern historians believed that Geronimo was held in a heavily protected room that seemed to be a cell. But later evidence revealed that the Apache prisoners were not locked up. Instead, they were given the run of the island. Their families joined them shortly after their imprisonment. Soon the Apaches became a tourist attraction, with visitors taken to the island to see how they lived. Apparently the Apaches developed quite a trade in shells and traditional handiworks, which they sold to the tourists.

A concrete battery was built on the grounds in the 1890s

When rifled cannons came into play, brick forts were no longer a suitable defense. In the 1890s, a new concrete fort was built on the Fort Pickens parade grounds. The fort worked well until air combat, when it proved to be an obvious target. New hidden earthenworks batteries were constructed in the area, but after World War II all three Pensacola-area forts were declared obsolete for defensive purposes.

Today the guided tour visits many, but not all, rooms of the fort. A self-guided walking map allows you to conduct a more thorough tour on your own. The fort closes at sunset.

The Beach

The quartz sand beach is breathtaking

One of the most interesting parts of Fort Pickens is the natural terrain. The heavy tree cover of the island’s interior gives way to scrubland and towering sand dunes before opening up to a white quartz sand beach. Swimming is permitted along most of the beachfront when conditions allow. A boardwalk with identifying signage provides a fascinating walk through the various terrains. The Gulf of Mexico is generally fairly calm with clear water, making it a wonderful choice for families, but storms can stir up the ocean with little advance notice. Keep an eye on weather reports and get out of the water immediately if the sky turns threatening.

The Oil Spill

Signs of the 2010 Gulf Oil Spill

The Deepwater Horizon oil spill of 2010 was the biggest accidental marine spill in history. The beaches along Fort Pickens were affected and there are still signs of the spill today, mostly in the form of tar balls along the beach. However, cleanup crews are on hand, working diligently to fix the damage while remaining sensitive to the unique characteristics of the island. Although we did not swim, the water appeared clear and the wildlife seemed healthy. We received paperwork at the Visitor Center regarding the spill cleanup procedures, but were not notified that any sections of the beach or the water were closed to the public. Dad has some pretty severe chronic illnesses, including respiratory ailments, and was not affected in any way. Pensacola Beach and Fort Pickens are open for business as usual, and there seems to be no reason to stay away. Of course, if you or your kids suffer from any medical conditions, it is best to seek the advice of your physician.

The Lighthouse and Museum is a surprisingly large complex

Located on the northern end of Anastasia Island, within the city limits of St. Augustine, the St. Augustine Lighthouse plays a critical role in water navigation. In May 2010, Dad and I set off to tour the lighthouse and accompanying museum. The surprisingly expansive museum and audio tour provided a great deal of historical information, while the climb to the top yielded an amazing view.  

Lighthouses of St. Augustine  

The Keepers' House is now a museum

The first lighthouse on the property was built by the Spanish shortly after they settled the area in 1565. It was a crude wooden structure designed more for primitive defensive than ship guidance, but served both purposes until St. Augustine was burned by English privateer Sir Francis Drake in 1586.  

The Spanish built a much larger complex in 1683. Built from coquina, a soft but sturdy stone made of compressed shells, and surrounded by a coquina wall, the complex included a guardhouse, watchtower, well and ammunition storage house. The complex was expanded and refurbished each time it changed hands.  

In 1821, the United States acquired the Florida Territory and the Territorial Council requested lighthouses for Pensacola and St. Augustine. The coquina building was converted to a true lighthouse for the first time, opening in 1824 under lighthouse keeper Juan Andreu.  

When Florida joined the Confederacy, lighthouse keeper Maria De Los Delores Mestre and Captain George Gibbs extinguished the light to help deter Union attacks by sea. Customs master Paul Arnau removed the lens and buried it in a secret location. Though the lens was later recovered, the light was not relit until 1867.  

By 1870, beach erosion had nearly reached the coquina lighthouse. A new brick lighthouse was constructed west of the original structure. It opened in 1874 under keeper William Russell, who previously operated the coquina lighthouse. The original keepers’ house fell into the ocean in 1878, and the old tower collapsed in 1880.  

The Victorian duplex was added by keeper William Harn

The brick lighthouse was operated for 20 years by Union war hero William A. Harn. His family was welcoming to visitors, often serving lemonade out on the front porch of their home, a Victorian duplex built during Harn’s reign.  

Each head keeper was aided by two assistant keepers, who lived in separate portions of the duplex-style home. Modern technology brought changes over the years, from the 1885 conversion to kerosene lamp fuel, to indoor plumbing in 1906. The keepers’ house received electricity in 1925, but the lighthouse was the last in Florida to receive electricity in 1936.  

As automation and technology reduced the duties involved, the number of keepers dropped from three to two and eventually to one. In 1955, the lighthouse was fully automated and the last full-time lighthouse keeper departed Anastasia Island. The keepers’ house was rented to local residents during the 1960s, and sold to St. John’s County in 1970. That year, the house suffered a devastating arson fire, although the lighthouse was not affected.  

Restoration and Museum Conversion  

The Junior Service League did a great deal of restoration work

The Junior Service League of St. Augustine took over the lighthouse and grounds in 1980 and began the process of restoring the complex. Despite setbacks, including serious damage to the lens by rifle fire in 1986, the JSL had the support of numerous organizations. The complex opened to the public in 1994 as the St. Augustine Lighthouse and Museum.  

Today the museum includes the rebuilt keepers’ house, themed to its 1867 appearance, the lighthouse tower, a World War II jeep repair facility, and a 1941 Coast Guard barracks. There is also a maritime archaeology exhibit and displays on the local boatbuilding industry. An audio tour provides detailed information about each location, and the knowledgeable employees are happy to answer questions.  

Our Visit  

The stairs to the tower base don't look so intimidating

We arrived mid-morning, intending to see everything. As of 2011, adult tickets are $9 per person, with a small discount for seniors aged 60 or over and children aged 11 or younger. Family ticket packages and annual passes are available. A private tour of the lens room is available by appointment, but at $500 per person it was a bit out of our price range!  

Dad was doubtful about his ability to climb the 219 steps due to his health conditions, but good-natured travel partner that he is, he agreed to try. A few jokes about the ability of a stretcher to reach the top of the stairs, and we were off to make the climb. You can listen to the audio tour, included in the price of admission, in any order, so we headed to the tower first to “get the climb over with,” according to Dad. 

Surprisingly, the climb was not that challenging. There are wide landings after every dozen or so steps, and many are audio tour stops. Pacing the climb gave Dad a chance to catch his breath and rest his legs. The total elevation gain is 14 stories, and there are windows on every landing that let you monitor your progress. 

Dad made it up all 219 steps

Emerging on the top deck was quite an experience. The spiral stairs get progressively steeper and narrower as you approach the top, making the last portion of the climb intimidating for those (like me!) who suffer from claustrophobia and a fear of heights. I took the last steps tentatively, suddenly finding myself on the very narrow top landing. Feeling claustrophobic, I stumbled out the door to my left, out into the bright sunshine. The deck is surrounded by a railing, but it feels particularly open and exposed after the confining climb. I saw several fellow climbers with their backs pressed against the wall, as far away from the railing as possible.  

The view was spectacular from the top

But wow, what a view! I got my bearings for a moment and then stepped out to the edge. As the wind whipped through my hair, I took in the sights all around St. Augustine. Dad was pretty eager to get back on the ground, though, as his back was feeling the climb. It’s amazing how much easier it is going down!  

Back on the ground, we sat and caught our breath for a bit, and then headed outside to take in the rest of the tour. It seemed that every time we turned a corner we made an exciting new discovery. We spent more than two hours exploring the various buildings and displays.  

Myths and Legends  

The tower is filled with myths and legends

The lighthouse is replete with tales of ghostly activity. While the daytime tours do not mention these legends, most staff members are eager to share their stories if asked. The lighthouse was featured on an episode of Ghost Hunters. Our first experience with the lighthouse was actually on a ghost tour several years ago. We did the Hearse Tour of St. Augustine, which proved quite creepy as we were the only guests on the tour, and one of the stops was the lighthouse grounds. We didn’t see anything unusual, but the tales definitely set a spooky mood.  

The lighthouse offers “Dark of the Moon” tours on most, but not all, Friday and Saturday nights throughout the year. These evening tours focus on the paranormal history of the complex, with an emphasis on presenting the historical facts behind the legends. As of 2011, these tours cost $25 for adults and $20 for children 12 and under. Call ahead to be sure that the tour is available on your chosen evening.  

Height and Accessibility Information  

Children must be 44 inches and able to climb under their own power

For safety reasons, children must be 44 inches tall to climb the lighthouse. They must also be able to climb under their own power. The steep, spiraling stairs are not conducive to carrying a child, and if you were to slip, it would be almost impossible to maintain your own balance while holding a child.  

Children who do not meet the height requirement to climb receive several perks. The child and one parent are admitted free of charge to the museum and the tower base. The child also gets a free coloring book and a certificate entitling him to a free climb when he is tall enough.  

As a historic building, the lighthouse tower is not accessible to those who are unable to climb the steps. However, there is a ramp to the ground floor of the keepers’ house. An alternative stairway to the basement of the keepers’ house has only six steps and can be opened by staff upon request. Most of the grounds are wheelchair accessible. Staff members go out of their way to provide whatever assistance they can to those with disabilities, so don’t hesitate to ask if something specific is possible.

The Harlem Globetrotters are known for their comedy antics

Despite their name, the Harlem Globetrotters actually got their start in Chicago. Although the team’s roots are shrouded in obscurity, it appears to have been founded at the Savoy Ballroom, a popular dance club that opened in 1927. The team name changed several times, but was officially the Harlem Globetrotters by 1929. According to Globetrotters legend, then-owner Abe Saperstein wanted to associate the team with Harlem because it was the seat of African-American culture. The team did not play its first “home” game in Harlem until 1968.

Merging Comedy with Basketball

How many professional basketball teams hold tricycle races on the court?

From the beginning, the Globetrotters added comedic elements to their games. Inman Jackson joined the team in 1930, and his flair for working the crowd made him the Globetrotters’ first “showman,” the comedy ringleader position that still exists today. Gradually the team became known more for their comedy than their basketball prowess, although many of the funniest elements are trick shots and precision drills that require a vast amount of ball control.

Proving Their Mettle

Skill drills prove the Globetrotters have what it takes

Although the Harlem Globetrotters primarily play exhibition games, they have also played competitively throughout the years. In the 1990s, the team won 10 of 11 games on a European tour, losing only to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar’s All-Star Team in Vienna, Austria. During a 2003 collegiate basketball tour, in which the Globetrotters played straight basketball with no comedy elements, they won seven of eight games, beating national champions Syracuse among others. According to the Globetrotters, their exhibition games are real games rather than fixed competitions. The team has won more than 23,000 games and lost just 345, for a career average of .986, the best record in professional sports.

Washington Generals

The Globetrotters' arch-nemesis, the Washington Generals

The Harlem Globetrotters’ most frequent opponents are the Washington Generals, an exhibition team organized in 1952 from the remnants of the Philadelphia Sphas, who often played against the Globetrotters. The team owner is Louis “Red” Klotz, a former Spha who continued to play with the Generals until the age of 62. The team has gone by several different names over the years, but seems to have permanently reverted to the Generals.

The Generals play “serious” basketball against the Globetrotters’ wacky exhibition moves, with generally hilarious results. They have lost more than 13,000 games and won possibly twice. A possible win came in 1962, when Klotz claims that a couple of shots during a very close game were not recorded on the scoreboard. The definite win, in 1971, left Globetrotter fans in shock and disbelief.

Football: Globetrotters Style

As the story goes, there are specific “gag periods” built into each game, when the Globetrotters set up and enact their comedy bits and the Generals’ job is to play the comedic foil. But there are no restrictions on the Generals’ making their shots, and in between gag periods is a real basketball game.

During this particular game, the Globetrotters were ahead by 23 points in the second quarter. But the Generals, playing as the New Jersey Reds, rallied in the second half. The Globetrotters lost track of the score and ended up down by 12 points with two minutes left in the game. They dropped the comedy and started playing hard, but could not recover in time. Team owner Klotz, then 51 years old, sunk the winning basket with seconds to go, and Globetrotters legend Meadowlark Lemon missed a shot that would have given the game back to the Globetrotters. The Generals/Reds won, 100 to 99. According to Klotz, the crowd reaction made him feel like he had killed Santa Claus.

Our Experience

We had great seats for the game

Dad grew up watching Globetrotters legends Meadowlark Lemon and Curly Neal on television. A number of years ago, he and my then-husband attended a Globetrotters game in Orlando, Florida. They came home armed with autographs and photos, and couldn’t stop talking excitedly about how much fun they had. Meanwhile, my first exposure to the Globetrotters was on Scooby Doo. But when current Globetrotters stars Flight Time and Big Easy appeared on Season 15 of the CBS reality show, The Amazing Race, I absolutely fell in love with them.

This past Christmas, I decided to give Dad experiences rather than physical presents. We travel full-time in an RV, so space is at a premium, and Dad loves to go to shows and special events. Among others, I was able to get tickets to see the Globetrotters in Pensacola, Florida, which fit perfectly into our travel schedule.

Getting to Pensacola proved more challenging than we had anticipated, due to the unique situations that can pop up when you’re full-timing. But we managed to check into the campground at Fort Pickens, part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore, around noon on the day of the game.

Lots of free parking is available in front of the Pensacola Civic Center

Coming from the barrier islands, we missed most of the traffic to the game, easily arriving with nearly an hour to spare. There’s a huge free parking lot in front of the Pensacola Civic Center, but the disabled section was already full. Thankfully, the hotel across the street allowed us to park in their disabled lot.

The Water Gag is a Globetrotters classic

I was concerned about our seats, but they turned out to be surprisingly good. We were along the side, close to one goal but only ten rows back. The venue is a lot smaller than many others that we’ve been to, so we still felt close to the action. When Flight Time and Big Easy did their “water gag,” we were right in the middle of things.

The Globetrotters have been responsible for introducing a variety of new elements to basketball over the years, and this time it is the four-point shot. In the last two minutes of each quarter, both teams are able to shoot from designated spots 35 feet from the basket. Both the Globetrotters and the Generals successfully made numerous four-point shots during the game we saw, racking up points and furthering the excitement.

Autograph Session

The YMCA gets the crowd on its feet and down to the arena floor

When we bought our program before the game, we got a tip from the salesman. In a time-honored tradition, after each game, the Globetrotters stick around on the arena floor to sign autographs and pose for photos. But as the current “stars,” Flight Time and Big Easy would appear separately, up on the mezzanine level…conveniently just outside the section where we happened to be seated.

After the game, there was an announcement that everyone should make their way down to the floor for autographs and photos. While the crowd surged down, we went up. Sure enough, once the majority of fans were on or near the floor, there was a separate announcement that Flight Time and Big Easy would be on the mezzanine. Our tip allowed us to beat the crowd, standing in separate lines for the two stars and still finishing before the majority of people made it to the proper spot.

Both guys were incredibly friendly and down to earth. I mentioned The Amazing Race, and they confirmed that they will appear on season 18, known as Unfinished Business, in which 11 of the most popular teams to never win were brought back for a rematch. Though they couldn’t answer any specific questions, they were incredibly upbeat about the show. I’m hoping that means they do well!

Tips for Parents

Musical Chairs is just one of many audience participation bits

Throughout the show, various kids (and a few adults) were brought onstage to participate in games and activities. I’m not entirely sure how they were selected, but everyone who participated seemed to be seated in the first few rows. Unlike many other games and events, front row tickets are no more expensive than any others in the main section, so buying tickets as early as possible may increase your chances of being selected.

Plan to make an event out of the game. While feeding the kids beforehand is a great way to save money, buying cotton candy and souvenirs is part of the game day experience. We were surprised at how inexpensive Globetrotters merchandise was compared to other events we have recently attended. Programs are only $5 and make an excellent souvenir, particularly if you stick around for autographs. A separately priced meet-and-greet before the game increases the amount of time that you have with each player, but is probably only worth the cost if your kids are die-hard fans.

Both the Globetrotters and the Generals work hard to put on a great show, but they really work just as hard to create memorable family moments. Take your time, wait patiently for autographs, and you will be surprised by just how much individual interaction your kids actually get with the players.