The Day I Drove the Enterprise

September 8th…Happy National Star Trek Day

While some may argue as to the best TV show ever made…Seinfeld, M*A*S*H, Friends, etc. There is no argument as to the TV show that has been most impactful on our society over the decades. Case in point…Star Trek, the Original Series, aired on September 8, 1966. Now, 58+ years later, the story continues to roll on. In that 58 years, there have been 12 different Star Trek series, producing 930 separate episodes. Furthermore, let us not forget the 13 movies…and counting. Star Trek’s 58 year resume surpasses any other pretender. Star Trek is the most culturally significant TV series and the greatest show ever aired. Nerds Unite!

Ticonderoga!!

So, I felt it was important to get my Star Trek position out there so that you understand the magnitude of this post. A year ago or so, I got wind of a marvelous wonder hidden in the the town of Ticonderoga, NY. As the story goes, a Star Trek super fan, James Cawley, who had too much time and money, spent the better part of 14 years to painstakingly reconstruct the full set of Star Trek, the Original Series. Some parts are were taken from the original set, while others were precisely replicated from the original set plans. However he did it…visiting here is a true Make a Wish Day for unashamed Trekkies…

Where to begin…

This is one of the most difficult posts that I have ever written. However, it is not from writer’s block…it is from the writer trying to keep pictures and comments to standard blog length. There is just too much to say and show you. It was an incredible morning. From the moment they beamed us on board, the Federation liaison took Carol and I from place to place around the ship. I marveled that I was passing through the very familiar halls and decks of the U.S.S. Enterprise…

The Sick Bay was just as I remembered from the series. Sadly, they asked us not to lay on the beds. It must be something about keeping it sanitary for the actual patients. We also visited Dr. McCoy’s office. Following the Sick Bay, we walked the halls until we found the conference room. Of course, the room was filled with all sorts of Star Trek toys, but my favorite was, of course, Kirk and Spock’s three dimensional chess board…

Naturally, as I wore the Captain’s shirt, they let me sit in his private quarters and play with all his stuff. Beyond the masterfully recreated Captain’s quarters, there were also many specific touches that came straight from individual episodes. For example, in the second photo below, you can see the hidden phaser that was set on overload from the episode, “The Conscience of the King.”

And, of course, what walk on the Enterprise would be complete without an inspection of Engineering. I was able to wander Engineering to get a good feel of all the operating systems. But, you are only allowed to get so close to the warp core.

Here it comes…

If you have the slightest bit of Trekkie in you, you should have been thinking one thing as you read this entire post…“what about the Bridge?” That was exactly my thought as I walked about with the Federation liaison. Well, after building the anticipation to a crescendo, the liaison put us in the turbolift and called for the bridge. When the turbolift doors opened, I got my first view of where PT has never gone before…

If you have any Trekkie blood in you what so ever, you can imagine my elation at seeing the U.S.S. Enterprise Bridge for the very first time. If you are not a Trekkie, just imagine your favorite place from your favorite story that you have followed for over 50 years…and suddenly you were there!!! I wanted to dive into the Captain’s chair and give the controls a try. But, the Federation liaison urged patience. He wanted me to try out the various stations before giving me the comm.

As you can see, I successfully passed my certification for the science, communication and engineering (not shown) stations. For reasons not clear to me, the helm and navigation chairs were off limits. I suppose the potential for damage if I actually put the ship in gear were too great to risk. Be that as it may, my quick mastery of all the support stations eventually lead to the ultimate moment…PT GOT TO COMMAND THE U.S.S. ENTERPRISE!!!!

Wrap It Up

OK, OK…I failed. That was far too many pictures. I rambled on. And, I probably let my emotions effect my writing. But, how can I not. That was the day I drove the Enterprise. My normal blog standards and controls just could not contain me. By the way, before someone mocks my shorts with the yellow command shirt, that is standard Federation summer uniform. Nerds Unite! Have a wonderful National Star Trek Day. PT

I hope you have enjoyed reading “The Day I Drove the Enterprise” on Traveling with PugsleyTonks.

If you did not know, there would be NO Star Trek if not for Lucille Ball (CEO of Desilu Productions). Read my past post on her https://travelingwithpt.com/jamestown-loves-lucy/

If you want to plan your own trip to this amazing place, here you go https://startrektour.com/ Be sure to get the “Special Photo Tour.”

P.S. I know what you were all wondering. So, I thought that I would answer the unspoken question…Did Carol get to drive too?

Answer…Heck no. But, we let her sit in the Captain’s chair briefly for a picture.