Philadelphia, PA, Wednesday, June 11

Independence Hall in Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia is the birth place of the Declaration of Independence.

We get input from several people as to the best way to visit the historic city. We decide that we prefer not to drive and waste time finding a parking lot hoping for an available parking space. We consider parking at the aquarium and taking the ferry across the Delaware. One of the campers near us tells us that is what he did, but the lady in the office informs us that we have to drive through a very rough area to get to the aquarium and that parking is $10.00. She advises us to take the commuter train. We decide to take the train.

It is a 20 minute drive to the station, parking is free, a round trip ticket is $4.80. This is very inexpensive and easier than driving. As usual we ask the locals for directions and a woman, who is on her way to work in Philly, says she'll help us with the system. We follow her to the first car and sit at the front where she greets the driver and tells him that we are vacationers. She introduces herself, her name is Susan, and points out all of the interesting areas and tells us about them as we pass by. This made the trip interesting and pleasant. She invites us to join her family the next evening for diner, but we tell her we do not want to impose on her and her family. We hope she was not offended. The trip on the PATCO Orange Line takes about 25 minutes.

The PATCO stop where we disembark is two blocks from the Visitors' Center where we head to start our tour of the city. The workers in the center are all dressed in period clothing demonstrating crafts of the late 1700's. We first meet a citizen playing music on the dulcimer, the one we now refer to as the hammered dulcimer. This instrument's sound is mellow and soothing. There is a gentleman in fine clothing greeting the visitors and a woman making little dolls from shaped pieces of wood.
We stop to watch ye olde book binder preparing blank books for use as personal journals or note books. He is skeptical of the ability of my tiny silver box to produce adequate photographs.

We pick up a map of the city and head out to walk the streets of old Philadelphia.

We pass these horse drawn carts that await to take visitors on tours of the city. We stop to visit with one of the horses by the name of Wizard who seems to take a liking to us. Wizard was given this name because of the lightning shaped markings on his ears. We prefer walking so we pass on the buggy tour.

Our first stop is the Liberty Bell Center. Display in the Center telling the symbolism of the Bell.

It took some waiting, but we finally had an opportunity to get an unobstructed view of the Liberty Bell. The arm behind Linda's head belongs to the security guard who's job it is to make sure no one goes beyond the ropes surrounding the bell.

Of course there is a security check as we enter the building. All bags and purses are searched.

As we exit the Liberty Bell Center we meet a young security guard and ask him where he prefers to have lunch. He directs us to Benny's Place just a block and a half up the street. Who is Benny? Aha, it is clear when we see the sign for the place.

We would have never thought to refer to Benjamin Franklin as "Benny", it seems far too familiar. The choice for lunch has to be a Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, naturally. We have been waiting to eat one of these and Philly must be the place to get the best. The menu has several variations of the sandwich. We ask the waitress for her recommendation and order two versions to share.

Ah, our order has arrived and we are more than ready to dig in. These sandwiches are delicious!

Carpenters Hall where the meetings among the founders of our country took place.

The hall sits back from the street.

Mosaic tile inlay on the floor.

This is the place where the signing of the Declaration of Independence took place. This display is of the furniture styles in the Hall at that time.

This is one of the fireplaces, there is one exactly like it across the room.

A closer look at the banner displayed above the fire place.

Rounding up volunteers to join the fight for freedom. The promise of weekly income, ale and food, and to those who stay the full course of service $40.00 and 100 acres of land when the war is over, is an incentive to join troops. The soldier out in front is giving a very arousing speech and garnering many volunteers for the cause, the children lined up beside the fife player and drummer. After many volunteers have joined the line a procession is lead out of the yard and into the street.

A monument to the signers of the Declaration of Independence in this yard.

Workers filling a trench on Market street. We pass by this scene on our way to the landing on the Delaware River. History meeting the present Internet age as lines are laid to bring in more Internet service.

Penn's Landing.

Bridge over the river to New Jersey.

Looking across the river to New Jersey, we can see the aquarium and a baseball stadium.

Looking back at Philadelphia from Penn's Landing. There is a stage at the water's edge and tape marks on the brick work here for performances.

Across the rive is the old Campbell's building. Susan, our friend from the commuter train, has informed us that this building is no longer owned by Campbell's Soup Company, but the sign has been maintained.

Irish Memorial

Christ's Church: Benjamin Franklin. Pioneer Alice. William Penn. Betsy Ross. George Washington. Absalom Jones. William White. Fanny Kemble. They, and so many more, come to life in the living history of a truly American church. More than 300 years of vision, faith and courage at Christ Church in Philadelphia! Benjamin Franklin is buried here. The church is place of worship still today.

Interesting old buildings.

First United States Post Office.