The Santa Maria

We started the weekend off by touring the most accurate replica the ship Christopher Columbus sailed to the America’s in, the Santa Maria. It was pretty surprising how small it was when you think of sailing off into the unknown. Even with limited space they would have to fill the bottom of the ship sides with rocks to keep the ship from tipping. This cut the space in half and didn't leave much space for food and other supplies.

Jenny, Meara, and Cassie in front of the Santa Maria

Here is how they'd steer the ship. It is easy for a child to push and pull but big waves in a storm would make the task very difficult.  They showed us how a old end of a rope would be used as reusable toilet paper. The rope end would drag in the water until someone would need it and they'd pull it up. Everyone would use the same rope end...kinda gross.

The crew: Meara, Cassie, Kent, Scott and Jenny on the Santa Maria

Side note (that really is connected): When Scott was in DC interviewing he roomed with a guy who was obviously did not believe in Christ. The roommate asked Scott if he Mormon when Scott said he was from Utah which of course spurred the topic of The Book of Mormon. The roommate said "I just have a hard time believing all that stuff about Jesus.  I mean Columbus had a hard enough time finding the Americas." Really??!! Yes. This guy attempted to compare Jesus Christ to Christopher Columbus. That was his first and main fault since, well,  Christ is a God. Next yeah, I think Columbus would have a hard time in this little ship... but I don't think Christ came to the America's by ship since again, Christ is a God.

To finish off the night we went to German Village and walked around a beautiful park with a statue of some German guy and the streets to see the neat houses. While we wandered Cassie waited in line at Therman's, a little diner with great burgers in the German Village area. Pictured below is the "Thermanator," two 12 ounce patties with lots of other stuff too. Since none of us wanted a heart attack we chose smaller burgers which we all only ate half of...except Scott who finished his gigantic burger.  Needless to say dinner was mm...mmm good!

The Thermenator you can see how big it is by comparing it to the
 server holding the plate. It was HUGE!