Benjamin Franklin in Philadelphia

Yes, it's true. Benjamin Franklin yet walks the streets--he has his fellows. I saw them, and it is true!

Lilytopia at Longwood Gardens, DE

Covered Bridges of Bucks County, PA

One of my life goals has been to visit the covered bridges of Buck's County Pennsylvania. We were able to visit 6 covered bridges. Each was a little different, but each was a glimpse of history. I always thought covered bridges were built to protect the drivers from storms, but they also served primarily to protect the bridge so it wouldn't have to be rebuilt so often. Some bridges have been burned by arsons...shame on them!

Our car going through a bridge.

Each bridge had the name and length and height on it.

Flowers at the side of the road.

Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, DE

We've never been to Longwood Gardens before. It was the creation of Pierre du Ponte. This place was amazing! He bought the property when it was in danger of having all its trees cut down for development. Then he started to plan his garden here. This place is sensational. He traveled all over the world and gleaned ideas from places and palaces he'd visited in Europe. This man had a wonderful vision for beauty and for many years these gardens were open to the public without admission. This place was lovely!

Byer's Choice, Chalfont, PA

You know those wonderfully quirky little caroling dolls I collect? Well, we went to their birthplace in Chalfont, PA. We arrived there at five minutes to 5:00 p.m. (closing time) and I told the lady inside we had raced to get here before closing and could we just look around for a few minutes as we'd come from Virginia, and had been all over the countryside that day visiting covered bridges. She was soooooo nice! Of course, come in and look around. She showed us the video of Joyce Byers who started the company out of necessity to feed her family during the recession in the early 1980's and boy did it take off! This creation center/display place was so cool! It had room after room of displays of all the dolls they have made. There was a street inside that looked just like Merry Olde England. In my book, this place was like Disneyland...a very happy place! It's Christmas every day here!

Old Swedes Church

This is the Old Swedes Church in Philadelphia. So many of the headstones were completely unreadable. This is the oldest church in Philadelphia and quite an interesting place.

This was at the foot of the church just before walking inside the door.

Old Swedes Church, Philadelphia PA at the close of the day.

Mark and his dinner at City Tavern.

Jacque and her dinner. Oh, the breads were so good! They had Sally Lunn (yum) and Anadamma (cornmeal and molasses--exceptional and our favorite), and pumpkin muffins. We split a meal of roast duck, barley, asparagus with hollandaise and squash. How phun in Philly!

Meeting with the Signers of the Declaration

Mark is meeting with the one the Signers and was lucky enough to get hands on with him.

I'm feeling a little casual in my dress meeting with these great men!

These eyes can bore a hole through one's soul.

And Benjamin Franklin tells it as he sees it in his city!

Ancient Rome and America Exhibit, Constitution Center

On Thursday, Mark and I drove to Philadelphia. We stayed at the Renaissance Airport hotel and spent the first day in Philadelphia. We visited the Constitution Center and had a visit with the signers of the Declaration of Independence and saw an exhibit called Ancient Rome and America. I don't have any pictures since they didn't allow any photos in the exhibit, but it was very interesting comparing the rise and power of Rome, its leadership, architecture, entertainment, etc. to our America. There are a great many similarities....and of the course the question to ponder is....is the fate of America to be just like Rome?

Philly Cheesesteaks in Phillydelphia!