Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Our next destination was the City of Brotherly Love, about which we knew very little. Again, we researched and booked a hotel while on the short drive there; it is less than 100 miles between the two cities.

We arrived tired and full of dirty laundry. The hotel was very nice, with a basement rec room / gym / laundry room / computer room that was very homey and comfortable. I spent quite a bit of time down there that night doing laundry. It really wasn't too bad, with a big leather couch right in the middle, and no one else around.

We found the city and its people to be lovely, kind, and clean. We really loved downtown Philadelphia and I would go back for another visit any time. In fact, it was one of my two favorite cities of the summer.

We slept well that night and had a relaxing morning. Finally, we checked out and got ready to see some history. But first, we had to make a stop for Franz, who had been remembering an episode on the Food Network for a year now and waiting patiently to arrive in Philly. We headed straight for The Franklin Fountain, its famous sundaes, and its homemade marshmallow cream.

Between the four of us, we couldn't finish two sundaes. (Poor Jackson and his dairy problems had to have a different snack.)

From there we went to Independence Square and saw the Independence Hall under renovation, which was a bit of a letdown in appearance, being nothing but a scaffolding and banner.

Just across the street in the building that houses the Liberty Bell, attached to the president's house, which was used by both Washington and Adams while Philadelphia was the nation's temporary capital.

This is the foundation of the original building.

The Liberty Bell was separated from us by thick glass windows and another lengthy line. Again, we chose the "road less traveled" and opted for photos and viewing through the windows, knowing the girls wouldn't get much more out of the wait to see it close-up, and Jackson would get even less.

Inside the Italian consulate, around the corner, was this very old statue of Benjamin Franklin and its interesting plaque, which I've included below.

We bookended our day in Philadelphia with another of Franz's anticipated culinary adventures, the pitting of two famous Philly Cheesesteak joints - right across the road from each other but separated by decades of competition.

You can order a cheesesteak with provolone or cheese whiz. I'm not kidding. Sounds weird to order cheese whiz, right? Well, we tried one of each, actually one provolone from the first place, and one each of provolone and cheese whiz from the second (split all around - they are huge). The cheese whiz, of which I am not typically a fan, really made the sandwich, I have to tell you. Shocking, delicious, results.

There is not much else to say about our time in Philadelphia, except to reiterate that I'd love to go back sometime, so if you're headed that way and looking for a companion, give me a call!