Philadelphia

FRI July 30

Today I went to Independence Square and saw the birth of our nation.

I drove in from the KOA campground because they wanted $75.00 for a tour and I knew I could do it for less, Philly Cheesesteak and local micro-brew for lunch included. I researched on the web where it suggested the parking garage at the Visitors Center and then everything I wanted to see would be in walking distance.

I started by getting a free ticket to tour Independence Hall; I picked up the ticket at 10:15 AM for the next open tour which started at 1:30 PM but that was no problem because I had other things I wanted to do in the meanwhile.

I then went to see the original Liberty Bell and they had several exhibits that displayed the Bell’s meaning around the world and pictures of lots of dignitaries at the Bell; I particularly liked the picture of the Dalai Lama at the Bell giving the peace “V” sign, but my picture of that picture didn’t turn out.

I then went over to Christ Church Burial ground where Ben Franklin is buried and then to the Portrait Gallery in the Second Bank of the United States. The bank is home to an extraordinary gallery of portraits of revolutionary heroes and statesman. Those painted represent a Who's Who of the 18th century America. There are signers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution in addition to military men and foreign emissaries. Many of the works were painted by Charles Willson Peale, the foremost portraitist of his day.

Lunch and when in Rome etc. so a Cheesesteak and local beer. And I don’t know how many of you seen “Parking Wars” about the Philadelphia Parking Authority, well while I was sitting outside eating my Cheesesteak along came a PPA lady and gave out a ticket and then a lady from the second floor yelled down to a friend wanting to know in which direction the PPA was moving.

After lunch it was my time to get in line for Independence Hall and to see where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were discussed and modified, approved and ratified and to see an original of the broadside paper of the Declaration that was read to the people of Philadelphia on July 4, 1776. The chair in the Hall is the actual chair George Washington sat in when he presided over the Convention.