Philadelphia

We drove to Philadelphia from Washington D.C.  Traffic is something Garmin and I don't like.  So when we ended up right next to the sports complex just as a game was ending traffic was everywhere.  Eventually about 11:30 at night we pull into our hotel in downtown Philly.  The girls were excited to see how high up we were.

The next morning we headed to the Independence Hall center.  Our first visit was the Liberty Bell.

It was very interesting to read the history of all those who call it their Liberty Bell.  It is a hope for many who don't share in the same rights as others.

This view was a little disappointing.  The top floors of Independence Hall are being remodeled due to a proper drain never being installed causing some rot.  They did put up a mesh hanging at least that gives you an image of what it might look like.

Our tour of the inside of Independence Hall was full of great history.  The chair at the top to the right of Marissa's head is the actual chair George Washington used during the writing of the constitution.  It was so exciting to be where so much of our history took place.

 We took in the gallery of portraits.  These were amazing to see of pictures I've used in my lessons.  Above is Martha Washington.

Marissa conned the park rangers to do a portrait of her to add to the gallery.  

She will add a whole new dimension to the gallery.

Next to Independence Hall is the old Congress building.  This room housed the first meetings of the House of Representatives.  Where the ranger is standing is close to where John Adams took the oath for president.  History!!!!

Upstairs is where the Senate held their meetings, decorated much nicer.  Most of these chairs were the originals.

Our next stop was a true Philadelpia steak sandwich.  We were told to go to Jim's Steaks.  Quite colorful, busy and loud.

The girls had theirs with Whiz, Dale and I stuck with Provolone.  Both were pretty good.  (I'm sorry Philadelphia, but I'm an Italian Place girl through and through.)

A very popular place.

The girls had some places they wanted to see.  They took their dad, I took my tired feet to the hotel.

The girls went out by themselves to a cafe, but worried a little since there was a curfew at nine for teens due to the flash mob problems.  One cop did look long and hard at them but they got back okay.

Goodbye Philly.

Yorktown/Washington D.C.

After Jamestown we headed to Yorktown - a quartet of tired soldiers.

Some of us took our fatigue to new levels.

As you can tell Yorktown didn't like us too much.

I did learn the uniform trim color tells where the soldier is from, if we could only remember where each color was from.

The girls have a lot of their father in them.

It just doesn't seem right to have a weapon taller than yourself.

They had been getting along so well.

We left the perils of war behind and headed to Washington, D.C., on a new kind of war - traffic and an annoying Garmin who kept taking us far from our intended destination.

Lincoln proved very calming to our nerves and the girls also got a little excited with the cute guard standing nearby.

Enjoying being together!

It looked close enough to walk, but we went to the war memorials instead.
Vietnam War Memorial

It's a more reverent atmosphere here and way too many names.  It sure hits you how much death occurred during this time.

Korean War Memorial

This memorial evoked many emotions, many of those emotions shown on the faces of these statues.

Beautiful water feature at this memorial.

A great statement to start a Veteran's Day lesson.

National Law Enforcement Memorial

This memorial was set more in the city, but worth the effort to get there.

They make it very easy to find names of those you knew or loved ones of those you know.

We did a few etchings and just enjoyed the peace of this memorial.

Washington was a great stop.  We really could have stayed longer, but Philadelphia is calling us.

Jamestown

Today was Jamestown, but we hit a roadblock when we decided we needed a local experience in the ER.  We enjoyed the cushy chairs in the waiting room while Lindsea and Travis enjoyed the peace and quiet to themselves.  Luckily Lindsea got some pain relief and was sporting enough to spend a few minutes at Jamestown.

Whitni enjoying the hospital art.

Marissa, never to be outdone by anyone.

Did I say she was a trooper!!!  It was great to have them both with us.

I Spy - Pocahontas

Pocahontas

Whitni's feet have actually stood where Pocahontas once walked.

As I was taking a picture this face showed up.  I guess I was neglecting her, but I thought it turned out  pretty well.

I don't know who thought this would be a good idea.  Luckily, she doesn't have a clue what to really do.

Sadly, we had to say goodbye to the fun couple.  Thanks for joining us!!!

Day 2 of Jamestown.

Dale, inwardly, is showing his excitement.

A bandolier, a skunk and a willing helper.

Do you think they were born in the wrong century?

Enjoying the costume or the young man helping them?

The Susan Constant

Marissa has taught her dad all she learned about cannons.

We had a great time in the villages, the ships and watching many demonstrations.  It has left me with great resources for school and many memories.