Visit to Philadelphia

The Liberty Bell

The line to go inside was way long - but we did manage to get a couple pictures from the outside.

United States Mint

They also make the Purple Heart Medals here.

Benjamin Franklin

Arch Street Meetinghouse

Besty Ross House

It was built over 250 years ago. The front portion was built around 1740, with the stair hall and the rear section added 10 to 20 years later. It has one room on each floor and a winding staircase from the cellar to the upper levels.
They told us that most of the homes were only 16 feet wide then longer and several floors because they were taxed by the amount of feet that faced the street.

Not sure if you can see it - but in the window is a mirror so that they could see who was at the door.

Elfreth's Alley

Popularly known as "Our nation's oldest residential street." Thirty-two houses built between 1728 and 1836 line the alley

The Philadelphia Exchange

The Philadelphia’s (Merchants’) Exchange opened in 1834. Merchants, manufacturers, brokers, and shipmasters all gathered here to trade stocks and commodities, and to learn the latest business news. The building has been restored only on the exterior and is not open to the public.

This kind of looks like gravel - but is a stone road.

Carpenter's Hall

Benjamin Franklin's house was torn down in the early 1800s. They have marked where the home would have been and have stones marked (as above) where different parts of the house would have been as close as they can estimate.

The frame represents where the original print shop would have been.

This area is called Franklin Court. This is a working post office where you can send letters hand-stamped with Franklin's original postmark.

General Advertiser - Ben Franklin Publisher

We decided that we should visit Philadelphia and check out some of the history there. We went on a walking tour. It was very informational and fun. These are some of the places we went to.

Elder Ibisagba's Birthday

Elder McMullin and Elder Fotu

Elder Raymond, Fotu and McMullin

Sister Walker

Elder Raymond, Sister Chatfield

Elder Ibisagba - checking out his brownies with frosting!

George Washington Bridge

We decided to take a walk across the George Washington Bridge - after driving around for a bit - and then asking a few people - we finally found where you go to walk across the bridge. It seems a lot higher up than it looks in the pictures when you are actually there. We actually only made it about half way across - but the views were great!

September 11 Memorial

We had meetings the morning of September 11th so we went down to Ground Zero later in the afternoon

There are actually two blue beams shooting up to the sky where the Twin Towers stood - but it is hard to tell that in our picture

The following is on a plague close to this:

"This steel t-beam was one of several found within the rubble of Building Six of the World Trade Center two days after September 11, 2001. Almost immediately, it became a symbol of hope, faith and healing for many rescue and recovery workers searching the World Trade Center site for the remains of thousands who perished in the terrorist attacks."

"The World Trade Center cross will be housed in the National September 11 Memorial Museum, as a testament to spiritual renewal in the face of tragedy and loss."

We are certainly grateful for all those who serve our country - home and abroad - to make it a better place! It was quite humbling to walk through here and feel the great loss that so many people suffered that day.

Road Trip Labor Day Weekend

Trying to show how high up we were on this bridge - but didn't work.

Look there - another "old" car for sale! :) I have to admit it is kind of cute though!

House just out of Plymouth

Another house just out of Plymouth - think they probably have a great view of the ocean when they go up on the roof!!

If you look hard you can see the swimmers - Mayflower II Triathlon.

Around "Plymouth Rock"

Plymouth Rock

You can't see it very well but it is a cannon gun.

It would be interesting traveling across the Atlantic in this! Ya -- don't think I could do it. :)

Looks kind of hard!

Inside the Mayflower II

Mayflower II

A Mishoon (boat of Wampanoag)

We were wondering if this is an Estate or Hotel??

Houses across the way.

I was trying to get a good picture of the Lighthouse - Oh well.

To buy or not to buy????

We just happened to find this car again -- Elder Ashton did take it for a spin. :)

Labor Day weekend – the Employment office was closed on Monday so we decided to take a road trip. We headed out toward Boston. We planned on seeing the Excell’s and checking out the new Employment Center they have been setting up, but we didn’t get a hold of them so we just kept on driving. We took the road down the coast line so it was a pretty drive. We stayed in Plymouth. The next day we went through the Mayflower II. The Mayflower II is a replica of the 17th century ship Mayflower, celebrated for transporting the Pilgrims to the New World. On April 20, 1957, recreating the original voyage, Mayflower II was sailed across the Atlantic Ocean. We drove for quite awhile along the coast and then caught the freeway back to New York.