Back to Philadelphia and settled into our room for the next few days. This was the view from our room of downtown Philadelphia. The trees are turning an it is chilly, but beautiful. Can't wait to discover all the history here!
Here comes our bus! We purchased 48 hour tickets for the Hop-on-Hop-off Big Red Bus belonging to Philadelphia Sightseeing Tours. This was a good choice, for the most part. The bad part was waiting for the bus - the good part was the guides that were on each bus. We stayed on the bus the first time for the entire 90 minute tour.
Our first guide was Eric - yes it was chilly up on top of the bus! Eric was very entertaining and full of fun facts about Philadelphia. Over the course of the 48 hours we had several guides - all were terrific even though they each had some different slants of the facts. We had a great time for sure!
This is the entrance to "China Town". The gate was a gift to the city of Philadelphia - there are no nails and no glue or anything other than gravity holding this giant gateway together - amazing. Unfortunately we didn't have time to make it back to explore - according to our guide it is an awesome place.... next time?
The famous "Rocky Steps" - are actually the back entrance to the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The bleachers were for the marathon that took place the day before we arrived. Apparantly there are many people who make this a destination just so they can run up the stairs like Rocky did in the movie. The second day we went past this point there were many many people running up the steps. We didn't even get off the bus!
A very low bridge indeed! Made us duck up on top of the bus - a tall person would really have to duck!!!
Our first real Philly Cheesesteak! This one is from Sonny's and recommended by our bus guide. Very good indeed!!!!
The Liberty Bell.
We had to endure a very large group of middle school kids in order to see this piece of history. So, we just took extra time to read the exhibits so they could clear out. It was still crowded so it was impossible to get a picture with the bell. In any case, it was very interesting.
Independance Hall
Awesome tour. The guide was very knowledgable and got the crowd involved with the presentation. We had a group of school boys - from a Quaker school I would guess by their dress and hair styles. They got very involved and it was interesting to watch them interact with the guide.
The building next to Independance Hall is Congress Hall. This is the plaque on that building. We didn't get a chance to go inside - the tour was to late for us to be able to get back to the bus on time.
Our next stop was to visit Christ Church.
This Church is still very beautiful. Founded in 1695 with construction beginning in 1727, this Church is very old! Notice the light squares in the isle.
This is one of the light squares - Someone is buried here ... all of the light squares are burial plots for people who died very early in the existance of this Church.
Some of the pews have plaques on them for the families that always sat in those seats. One had a plaque for George and Martha Washington.
The organ looks magnificant! If I remember correctly, this Church is still used for services.
Next stop - the Betsy Ross House.
The Courtyard of the Betsy Ross House. On the side of the wall is a replica of the first flag of the United States of America.
Apparantly, whether or not Betsy Ross actually created the very first American flag is in question. According to this, she was "credited" with making the first flag. During that time, it would have been treason to be supporting a new government while still being held by England, so perhaps the documentation is not quite clear about some of the things that happened.
Here is "Betsy Ross" hard at work creating a flag. She spoke while we were there about the times when she lived - including the old fashioned words and accents. It was entertaining. Betsy was actually a upholster of furniture and perhaps a seamstress for other things - that is why she was asked to create the flag. She could not work on it in her shop, so she worked on it in her bedroom where she was safe from prying eyes.
Betsy Ross is buried in the courtyard.
This looks very interesting ... maybe an option for our next trip - it is obvious to us that 48 hours of sightseeing is not nearly enough to see this city.
To say the least, Benjamin Franklin was probably the most important person in Philadelphia when he was alive ... he still is. Our guide on the bus told us that any thing of importance in Philadelphia history is attributable to Ben Franklin the majority of the time - always answer Ben Franklin and you will be correct most of the time.
Here we see Ben Franklin's grave. Every evening they collect all the change that has been thrown here. I forget the exact amount they collect each year, but it is a sizeable sum. People usually throw pennies, but also throw other change - they think it will bring them good fortune.
As we walk towards the next bus stop, we see the US Mint. It is a very large building and our guide has told us that it is the largest of the US Mints. You can see the line is long and so we don't have time for the tour on this trip ... next time? Looks like we will have to come back, huh? It could be a good stop since our guide also told us that they give each visitor $100.00 ... shreaded of course, but still $100.00!
This is the US Constitution Center. We went inside, but soon found out we didn't have time to see the movie or enjoy any of the exhibits so .... saved for the next time!
While waiting for the bus (again), we took advantage of a street sign to prop the camera on to take a "selfie" with the US Constitution Center in the background - need proof that we were actually where we said we were!!!!
This is the ComCast building .... the world's largest USB drive!!!! It can be seen from almost anywhere in Philadelphia.
Reading Terminal .... Used to be a major train station for the Reading Railroad ... now it is mostly a market place. Anything you could want can probably be found in this market place.
For example......the biggest shrimp I have ever seen!
Just a few examples of what you might find at the Reading Terminal Market Place .... there is much more than this for sure!
OK, now to get back to our "home". We go to the other side of the Reading Terminal to get the Subway/Train back to the Airport. SEPTA is the South East Pennsylvania Transit Authority - it includes local subway, trains and buses ... most all public transportation. The system is very good and we had no problems using it. For us as SENIORS it is especially good. $1.00 for a ticket from downtown to the airport - a wonderful benefit for us!
Early on day two of our Philadelphia adventure, we emerged from the underground at the Suburban Station of the Pennsylvania Railroad - this is the stop one stop closer to the airport than the Reading Terminal station. Not sure there is still a "Pennsylvania Railroad" and "Reading Railroad" inside the city - think it is all part of SEPTA now. Our goal today was to begin our touring part way thru he 90 minute tour - to save some time at the least.
Our first goal this morning is the Eastern State Penitentiary.
The outside walls are very impressive. This was probably one of the first true penitentiary. It was based on the belief that someone who broke the law would benefit from solitude and reflection. This place had flush toilets and running water well before the White House - very progressive for it's time.
The outside of the prison looks like a castle .... the inside walls are basically un-scaleable. It would have been very difficult for a prisoner to escape. The walls weren't the only reason it was difficult. The "windows" on the outside of the walls were just for show - they did not go thru to the inside of the walls.
Not such a nice place? Even with flush toilets and running water ... still not a place to be for sure!
Each cell was very small. The door at the rear goes out to a private exercise area. The opening I am taking the picture thru was not there in the beginning - only a slot to pass food existed. The thought was that if the prisoner was kept in total solitude they would reflect and rehabilitate - they were wrong and everything changed over time. If the prisoner had to be moved from their private space, there head was covered in a bag so they couldn't see anything and nobody could be able to identify them.
Each cell had their own "flush toilet" with running water. The water only ran once a day to flush whatever was in the toilet. Still, way ahead of it's time ... even before anything like this was available at the White House or even the rich people's residences. Notice the radiator along the wall - the prisoner's were kept warm and comfortable ... just in solitary confinment.
As time passes, the penitentary is expanded to be two stories. Additional spokes are added, and the solitary confinement is changed so the inmates have interaction with other prisoners and the guards. Still not a good place to be.....
This is the "spoke" design of the prison. The central hub was where the guards stayed. They could access any prisoner's cell from this central position.
Just a peek thru the door at this point .... needless to say that Al's cell was like no other - he obviously had some connection somewhere...
What you don't hear is the beautiful music from the radio. Very plush for any prison .... very very plush for this prison!
Another "notable" prisoner was Pep. He "allegedly" killed the Governer's Wifes Cat - and was sentenced to life behind bars at the prison!
The gates to the Philadelphia World's Fair.
Philadelphia's own Patti LaBelle!!!! There are these beautiful murals all over the city.
Some of the tree branches on this route need triming!!! We had to duck more than once.....
Cobblestone streets? No, not really, but that is what they advertise. In truth, Cobblestone are rounded river rock - this is actually big rock that has been broken down for "stones" to make streets. These "stones" have been here for a long time for sure. Still, in any case it is hard to walk on these stones - even in tennis shoes, can't imagine in heels!
This is Jims Steaks - the second place that we got a Philly Cheesesteak. This place was recommended by the people at the Fairfield Inn, where we are staying. The Cheesesteak was excellent and very comparable to Sonny's. Can't say either one was the winner - both were fantastic!
More steps means more wealth........
Less steps means less.....
In any case, the streets in the old part of the city are very narrow and tight. There were times I couldn't believe our bus would make it without hitting something - another truck or a tree or something!
Up at o'dark thirty once again, we are taking off and leaving Philadelphia behind. First leg of this trip takes us to Atlanta and then on to Phoenix where we pick up our car and head back to home-sweet-home Yuma. It has been a wonderful trip for sure!
