Since we are actually early birds at home we seem to be keeping up the practice on the road. It certainly is not Lucky's doing. I think if he had it in his way he would sleep until at least 10:00 every morning. After yesterday he probably does not want to get up at all. It makes you wonder how a dog can process all the new experiences he has had in the last week. I read an article lately that said a dog does not remember anything from one day to the next - are they nuts? They must not have had a dog.
It was a beautiful day again yesterday, at least in the morning. We headed off a few miles north to the charger in Hamilton Township just to top off the battery pack. Then headed for the beautiful. historical and exciting city of Philadelphia. Marshell is having fun himself trying to process all the experiences. In school everyone studied Philadelphia because of Independence Hall and the founding fathers but unless you were interested in history or got the bug later in life you don't pay much attention to the city. Exception, of course, is that if you were pre-teen or teenage in the late 1950's or the early 1960's, you knew EVERYTHING about Philadelphia because that is where American Bandstand was broadcast from. Girls especially rushed home from school to see who was going to be on, learn how to dance and of course, keep up with good old Justine and Bob.
A very brief history of Philadelpha
It was founded in 1682 as the capital of Penn Colony on the banks of the Delaware River to serve as the capital of Penn Colony. William Penn was an English nobleman who became a Quaker against the English rule that every citizen had to attend the Church of England. In effect he was banished from England and came to the colonies for freedom of religion.
Philadelphia, The City of Brotherly Love. served as the meeting place of the founding fathers during the American Revolution. Also the site where the Declaration of Independence was written in 1776, the Constitution in 1787, was the capital during the American Revolution and the temporary Capital while Washington was under construction during the terms of George Washington and President Adams. Also, the home of Ben Franklin who opened the first post office, the first insurance company, was an inventor and on and on. Need to get out a good history book as this is the place where America became the first Democratic country in the world.
Besides the history lesson, the architecture is astounding. There is a nine block area that houses not only Independence Hall but the Liberty Bell, the first and second banks in America, the Bourse which was where the goods coming in on the ships were sold before they even docked (breathtakingly beautiful), Ben Franklin's Post Office and Printing Company, Betsy Ross's House, Dolly Madison's House and on and on. It is really hard to believe so many of the structures have survived and been restored in this one area.
Many things have changed since I lived here thirty years ago. In 2000 they began construction on a new Liberty Bell Center. In the process of excavating for the foundation the remains of the President's house foundation was discovered. They have created a neat display, much like the one of Ben Franklin's house where they show the excavated parts of the foundation thru glass. It is amazing to look at the foundations and explanation of the houses of that era. The National Park Service operates all the historical sites and does a wonderful job. Don't begrudge them your tax money - this is our history and without a history - there is no future.
Ben Franklin Museum
Independence Hall
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First Post Office and Ben Franklin's Printing Company
After the Ben Franklin Museum and several other sights, the architecture and a carriage ride with more history Marshell was on overload. Lucky was mind boggled especially with the horses pulling the carriages. After Market Square we took a pretty good stroll with a storm approaching down to Penn's landing. I could not let Marshell miss whatever ships they had on display. Luckily there was an old battleship, a tall ship and a Navy battleship across the river. After all, Marshell was a Navy guy. When we lived here twenty tall ships came up the river and it was a sight I will never forget.
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By this time the approaching storm was getting closer so we dashed for the car just in time to get there before the sprinkles started. Marshell was getting a bit grumpy by this time so I knew it was time to go to Pat's. Grumpy usually means hunger and he had been anticipating a Pat's Cheesesteak sandwich for a week.
A neat drive down ten blocks of narrow streets lined with row houses. The streets in most of Philadelphia are three narrow lanes wide in most of the city. On most of the commercial streets there is pasking on one side, a driving lane in the middle and a bus lane. I have to say Marshell did a wonderful job of navigating throught the streets. I never heard any bad words about traffic as the streets are so fascinating. Best part is to watch the people whip into the parking spaces. Needless to say this is where the auto parking thing on cars would come in handy but most of the people could whip in the spot in one quick move. Cool. Marshell passed the driving test and will be ready for New York City on our next adventure.
Pat's is one an island in the middle of one of these narrow little streets. It has been there since 1938 and although some people will tell you other places are better, like Gino's across the street, Pat's is the place to go. They only make cheesesteak sandwiches that you can order with or without onions and with or with out whiz. Whiz being Cheese Whiz. They are open 24 hours a day and you either get one to eat in your car or sit down at tables in the middle of the street. No place like it as it is in the heart of the Italian section of town and two blocks from where American Bandstand was broadcast from. Marshell agreed it lived up to the legend and I must confess the vegetarian gave in because even I can't pass up a Pat's.
View from our table at Pat's
See that happy face!
After lunch we drove through the Italian Market.in the rain. Hard to take pictures but there is one lane of traffic this time of the year for three blocks. The street is closed off in the summer and for the weekend this time of year.It is lines with little shops and tables in the street selling fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, chicken and turkey. This all lays on iced lined tables in the street. If you saw the movie Rocky, he runs thru a street where there are fires burning in 55 gallons drums. This is winter in the Italian Market. Don't go to Philly without a trip there.
The last on the list due to the rain was to drive by the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Remember the steps Rocky runs up and down. That was the art museum. The movie does not do it justice and you have to see it to believe it. Marshell is ready to come back to Philadelphia and stay several days just to try to see everything. I am so tickled that I have not only hooked hime on the shore but also Philadelphia. He was one of those who made faces when I talked about all these places.
It was late in the afternoon and we headed south on the 95. Think we will stop for the night in Baltimore and decide what to go see tomorrow. There are lots of choices of places to go, but I have an idea that I think he will like. Tune in tomorrow to see where we ended up.
I have to say here before I close that we have seen more Tesla's at the charging stops than we have ever seen on our trips in Oklahoma and Texas. All the owners praise the car just like us.
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