Dec 13, 2012 - Philadelphia Freedom?

Philadelphia - home of the Continental Conference, the Liberty Bell and Freedom Hall. Yet I sit in the international wing of the Airport waiting for my plane to leave. The gate is isolated from others with a screen that prevents other travelers from seeing you and you seeing them. There are two lines of security screening that have to be crossed before you can enter the gate. No other international destinations require these separate security measures. And yes, the United States allows these measures to be implemented on its territory. Says...

Nov 12, 2012 - Independence and Cheese Steak

Philly was once the capital of the US and is where the Declaration of Independence and the American constitution were signed. Both of these events happened in the Assembly Room of what is commonly known as Independence Hall (actual name is State House of the Province of Pennsylvania). Some may know it from the movie National Treasure or if you have actually studied American History. It was built between 1732 and 1756 and over 90% of the exterior and 60% of the interior is still in the original condition. It was a gorgeous building but I...

Nov 5, 2012 - Philadelphia

I have become a new age man Nivea creme for under the eyes Johnson's extra care for feet and legs Burt's bees hand salve for my heels I will now take a break while you all stop laughing and pick your self up of the floor. Well ian back on leaving Houston where there was a strong cold wind but bright sun shine Hesse burnt feet, for next 3 days we had warm weather so the swinging pool was filled again which was great when we got into the Atlantic the seas where very rough and 70-80 knot wind coming from the north but the sea water was still...

Nov 1, 2012 - Heading to Rome

Normally, flying on an airplane wouldn't get a text entry, but this was an ordeal! We flew from DFW to Philadelphia and then changed planes to fly to Rome. We boarded the plane about 7PM. We pulled away from the gate and were taxiing to take off when the plane turned around. The captain came on the speaker and said that a red light had come on in the cockpit, so they were going back to the gate to have it checked and it would take about a half hour. About an hour later he said that they had changed the fuel filter and were waiting for the...

Oct 25, 2012 - Sussex, NJ and Philadelphia, PA

Prester and I traveled to my brother's house in Sussex, New Jersey. He lives in a beautiful home and has trees all around the house changing colors everyday! Yesterday he took us on a drive to the Pocono's. The next day we took a walk on the Appalachian Trail looking for bears! We say lots of fresh bear prints but no bears, only frogs. It was so nice spending time with my younger brother Stephen, my sister-in-law Sharon and my 8 yr. old niece Kimberly. We stayed three days and it was hard to say good-bye! We then headed to Philadelphia to...

Oct 19, 2012 - Day Fourteen Still in Philadelphia

Not much to report today. Medical meetings this am. Back in room at 2, lunch at Reading Terminal Markets again. Planned to do a bus tour but it rained. Tour of National Constitution Center, Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall tonight and back in room at 10. Sorry about the pictures. Obviously liked the Libery Bell. Trivia Question of the day: The inscription on the Liberty Bell is from what? Joi, Skeeter and Mike were right. William Penn's ship was "Welcome". Should be on the road again tomorrow but plan either horse and buggy tour or...

Oct 18, 2012 - Day Thirteen White Plains NY to Philadelphia, PA

Mike and Joi got it right. The Merritt Parkway is 37 miles long with 69 overhead bridges constructed in early 1930's. Each bridge has a different design and utilized concrete for the first time in bridge construction. There was concern that concrete was not durable. Quite enjoyable trip but too brief. Left this am late at 10:40 am so as to miss NYC traffic. Cloudless skies with temp of 62. Took Interstate (ugh) 287 west around NYC and exited south on Interstate (moan) 95 south to Philadelphia. Arrived at 3:15 and encountered less traffic...

Sep 13, 2012 - Philadelphia, PA

We left Andy's home in Maryland and crossed over the Chesapeake Bay into Delaware. Later we stopped at the Pennsylvania Welcome Center and saw this Jeep (see photo). We drove into Philadelphia, passing by the Philadelphia Eagles football stadium and Camden Yards baseball field. It took us nearly an hour to find a place to park our Roadtrek. All the parking garages had low entrances, only 6' 6". We finally found a metered spot and then walked several blocks to the historical area of Philadelphia. We enjoyed touring the area and seeing the...

Sep 7, 2012 - A Day in Philadelphia

The morning after our Amish Experience, we drove from Gettysburg, past York, and then past Lancaster on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The drive to Philadelphia was our longest of the week—about 125 miles one-way. “Jill,” our invisible but well-spoken travel companion directed us to underground parking beneath Independence National Historical Park. “Jill,” by the way, is the name we’ve given that emits from our Garmin GPS device! After parking the car, we entered the Independence Visitor Center. We got free tickets to take a tour of...

Aug 17, 2012 - 3 Views of Philadelphia

August 15, 16, 17 (Wed/Thurs/Fri) The past 3 days have taken us on very different journeys in the Philadelphia area. On Wednesday we went to the City Archives to do record research, on Thursday we went to "historic" Philadelphia to play tourist, and on Friday we went wandering cemeteries in search of grave markers. So here is a summary of these days: Wednesday (8/15): After a call to determine that we would actually be able to see and copy records, we head out to catch the 10:15 a.m. train. We did NOT sit in a Quiet Car, but Linda had also...

Aug 8, 2012 - Philly

Wow what a full day we had. We started at Valley Forge where we met up with Ryan and Corine and the kids. After seeing the sites at valley Forge we drove into Philly. We visited Independence Square and toured the Philadelphia house of reps and senate from the first capitol days. We also toured Independence Hall and saw the liberty Bell. After that we went to a Philly's game at Citizens Bank Park. The park was beautiful and we were really impressed. After the game we drove the R.V. into south Philly and got Philly Cheese steak sandwiches at...

Jul 18, 2012 - overstap Philadelphia

Zo, nog even gauw iets posten voor we boarden voor de reis naar San Fransisco. Pap en ik hebben naturlijk weer wat leesplezier gekocht zodat we ons niet hoeven te vervelen. Update over het vliegtuig: waren alle luxe gewend van Cathay Pacific met super service, de nieuwste films en series in de hoofdsteunen en het lekkerste dekentie. maar US Airways bied ons minder zonder schermpje, haren die nog in het kussen zitten en krappe stoeltjes. Desalniettemin heb ik goed geslapen en gekletst met de buurvrouw die ons wat mooie tips heeft gegeven...