Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Thursday Thirteen...13 Things I Enjoyed About Philadelphia


13 Things I Enjoyed about our trip to Philadelphia



1. Seeing Independence Hall....the actual building where the delegates sat and eventually signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution . There is a story about the Constitutional Convention which founded the United States. Benjamin Franklin was looking at the back of the chair that the chairman of the convention used. Upon the back of the chair was carved a picture of the sun on the horizon. Franklin was heard to say, to John Adams, "I have always wondered if that sun was rising or setting. I am beginning to think that the sun is actually rising." It actually was a very moving experience.


2. Actually seeing the Liberty Bell in it's new home right across from Independence Hall. It is much smaller than I always thought it would be. It was interesting to hear the story about it's casting, cracking and it's sound. The Bell was created to commemorate the golden anniversary of Penn's Charter, the quotation "Proclaim Liberty throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof," from Leviticus 25:10, was particularly apt. For the line in the Bible immediately preceding "proclaim liberty" is, "And ye shall hallow the fiftieth year." What better way to pay homage to Penn and hallow the 50th year than with a bell proclaiming liberty?





3. Seeing the names and occupations of the men that signed the Constitution imprinted on the sidewalk around the National Constitution Center.





4. Actually watching my "Mr. Wonderful" sign his name in front of the the bronze castings of the delegates to the Constitution. His name wasn't as big as John Hancock's though. It was a proud moment and I thought to myself he would have been a signer if he had been alive at that moment in time.







5. The National Constitution Center dramatically tells the story of the Constitution from Revolutionary times to the present through more than 100 interactive, multimedia exhibits, film, photographs, text and artifacts. The center also features a powerful theatrical performance, "Freedom Rising."




6. Touring the City on top of a Double Decker Bus. The tour was interesting and it was fun to be able to hop on and off the bus and not have to worry about parking or how to get around the city. We developed "favorites" among the tour guides and they would often wave at us while passing us on the street.




7. The Franklin Institute of Science Museum and Planetarium . Oh wow, we could have easily spent all our time here. My Mr. Wonderful is definitely a science geek and loved every minute of the exhibits and the hands on approach. I love planetariums so especially enjoyed the program "Tonight's sky". They also have an IMAX theater .





8. For those of you who always thought I was Big Hearted...let me tell you, this is one big heart. I've had my heart walked on before but this heart you can actually walk through.



9. My fascination with Ben Franklin is still intact. Franklin is everywhere in Philly. From the bridge to New Jersey named for him to the parkway lined with the flags of many nations to the money at the U.S. Mint to the Franklin Institute science museum and its large statue of its namesake to the bronze statue sitting on a park bench on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania, Franklin pervades the city. This 9 foot statue is by the fire house. The sculptor asked the pupils to bring old keys from home — and they responded by filling buckets with more than 1,000. Casts of the keys were incorporated into the surface of the piece. Many more schools participated in a penny drive organized by the city's fire department, donating 1.8 million pennies — some $18,000 — toward the project. The pennies and keys will allow a generation of Philly kids to point to the sculpture and say, "I helped make that!"


10. Elfreth's Alley, built in 1728-1836, is one of only three persevered 18th Century streetscapes in the country. The museum tells how ordinary Philadelphians lived and worked over the last 3 centuries.






11. Independence Seaport Museum....this was a happy but accidental find. We were waiting for the ferry to go to the aquarium and it was really hot. I dashed in looking for a restroom and found out the museum is free on Sunday's till noon.
This was amazing...you can explore the region's maritime heritage through exhibits, a wooden boat workshop, the 1892 cruiser Olympia, the World War 2 submarine Becuna, and lots of hands on exhibits. Do you like my recreation of a masthead? We were sorry to have to leave when the ferry returned. The ferry ride was lots of fun too and gave us amazing views of Philadelphia.







12. Adventure Aquarium....located in Camden, New Jersey.
The moment you enter the new 40-foot shark tunnel, you’ll feel it. Dozens of hungry eyes following your every move. Over 20 sharks and 850 animals live in the 550,000-gallon shark realm. So you can find yourself completely surrounded by some of the fiercest creatures in the ocean. Like sandtiger sharks, sandbar sharks, green sawfish, and more. It was really fun.







13. The best part of our trip to Philadelphia was seeing it with Mr. Wonderful my hubby, friend, lover and playmate for the last 35 years.
He makes life so much more fun. Here's to another 35 years with you babe!







Get the Thursday Thirteen code here!


The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It’s easy, and fun! Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!




21 comments:

Lori said...

It sounds and looks like you had a wonderful time. Happy TT and thanks for stopping by:)

Anonymous said...

Oh, how I would love to go! You're so lucky. :) Great list.

storyteller said...

Thanks for sharing the photos and your experiences with us today … brings back memories from my visit to Philadelphia in 1966.
Hugs and blessings,

Melli said...

WOW! I never knew that being a Gentleman was an occupation! I wonder how much it paid? I'm sure Dennis would have liked that job! ... well... then again... maybe not! What were the other choices? Did they have Biker? :p

Maisie said...

It looks like the weather cooperated nicely for your trip. I've never been to Philadelphia before. When we went to PA, we went to Lancaster County and Gettysburg.

Ladybug Crossing said...

Okay, so now I want to go there. I think it would be great to go with the kids sometime - but they are NEVER home!!!
xo
LBC

Hootin Anni said...

Philadelphia!!! Awwwww, yes, great city. Your photos are great. Love you posing in front of the statue! Cute!!!

My T-13 is posted. Come by for a visit if you can find time.

Ramblins of a middle-aged goddess said...

GREAT pictures and you actually have a TT 13 idea!! I just never can seem to come up with the ideas!! What great pictures. i am so happy that you two had such a great time. Bet you want to go back again someday...and you will..Sandy

PamelaMKramer said...

I love the photo for #11!!! Happy TT and thanks for stopping by. I can't wait until we can vacation again.

Anonymous said...

I've never been there but once saw a real pizza in New York bigger than that heart!

Baba said...

What a great Thursday Thirteen..I love the cool pictures with all of the places you have visited and had fun with Mr. Wonderful....I can not think of anything to post on Thursday....I visited Emma and saw her big girl bed and met Jack...so cute.... have a good day. Hugs, Baba

Anonymous said...

I've never been north of TN (well, except for ID, but I think of that as Northwest rather than North), but if I were to travel to PA, those are some sights I would like to see.

SandyCarlson said...

What fun! You make a beautiful figurehead!

Crystal's Elite Dance Studio said...

Philly's a great city full of history isn't it?!? We love going there, and are actually going there in about 2 weeks! Happy t13!!

~Christy~

Unknown said...

Sounds like you had a great trip. I'm a big Ben Franklin fan too.

Lisa G said...

Happy TT! Your post made me want to visit Philly (I've never been). Glad you had such a great time.

Carole Burant said...

I'm thinking that was a perfect trip:-) It was so much fun for me to see your pictures and remember seeing the same sights a few years ago when I was there. xoxo

Jane said...

OK, just so you know....that statue ain't got nothing on you babe!!!!
I loved all your pictures. What a great trip.

YellowRose said...

You two had a wonderful time!! I love the photos! I would love to go there sometime and see the historical sites, D has been, on business...we need to go for fun! So glad you had a good time!!

Linda said...

Of all the places you mentioned, the Franklin Museum is my favorite. I could have spent an entire day there.

Susan said...

Well...it looks like your trip was 100% fun! I love it that you are wearing your "daisy glasses" while there. Actually this list made me want to go visit. I'm thinking I'd like to take the guys to D.C. and Philly. Fun!

:-) Susan

 
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