In West Philadelphia Born and Raised...

This past weekend we took a little trip down to Philadelphia, seeing it was Brett's spring break.  The city of Brotherly Love is located about 3 hrs from where we live, so we thought it would make for a good little trip.

Day 1

We drove down Thursday afternoon and got to the city about 1730.  We decided to do a little reconnoitering and make a game plan for the next day.  We wondered about for a few hours including a debacle on where/when to eat, for we wanted to experience a true Philly meal but after finding pretty much everything closed we settled on some Five Guys Burger and Fries.  We then returned to our hotel and listened to the Aggie game basketball game, it was a heartbreaker.

Day 2

This day was spent going through the historic sites in downtown Philly.  Here is an chronological itinerary of our travels: Liberty bell, Independence Hall/City Hall, Second Bank of US (large portrait gallery), Carpenters Hall, First Bank of US, A bunch of old famous houses, Christ Church, Elfreths Alley, First Post Office, Market Street House, Benjamin Franklin Printing Shoppe, Ben Franklin Grave, Free Quaker Meeting House, US Mint, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier of the American Revolution.  

Following the historic tour we went over to the Philadelphia Museum of Art (aka Rocky Stairs).  Below are pictures with commentaries of the different sites

Liberty Bell with Independence Hall behind

Independence Hall - where the Declaration of Independence
and Constitution were debated and signed

Standing in the room where our forefathers helped create our independent nation was an extraordinary feeling. There is something about seeing it all that makes it real and helps you to appreciate how hard they worked to create what we have.

George Washington's Chair (original)

Original Cobblestone street

First Bank of the United States

Bell at Christ's Church where many of the founding father's worshiped.
This bell was cast at White Castle Forge in 1702.

Elreth's Ally, the oldest consecutively lived-in street in America
1703 - present (most are private residence)

Betsy Ross Home

Ben Franklin's Grave

Free Quaker Meetinghouse
Yes - we saw Amish in the Quaker Meetinghouse

Independence Hall

Grave of the Unknown Solider of the Revolutionary War

Rocky Statue

Brett got a little winded hiking the stairs...

Adrian! (well its actually Chels)

Day 3

Since we were able to get Philly knocked out in one day we decided to check out some of the other historic sites in the area.  We first went to Brandywine, which is where the Revolutionaries lost a major battle which resulted in Philadelphia being captured by the British.

George Washington's Headquarters at Brandywine

Following the Brandywine area, we headed up to Valley Forge.  This area is where the Continental Army spent its second winter (1777-1778), it was a very rough winter but one that led to the army coming out stronger and more resolved.  This is a large National Park now.

Cabin Replicas

Great Re-enactment

Looking down the barrel

National Memorial Arch

Throughout the entire park there are random cabins every where,
much like it would have been during 1777.

Pott's House
Washington's Headquarter's during the winter

What would have been Washington's bedroom

Inner line defense
Embankments on left are original

Cool painting done in 1883 depicting the march to Valley Forge

We had good intentions of going to the area where Washington and the troops had crossed the Delaware river on Christmas night of 1776 then on to Trenton and Princeton where the Continentals had their first major victories; however by the time we got done milling around Valley Forge it was too late....guess we'll just have to do another trip.

Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!

A few things have happened in the last few weeks that I could just hear the Utah State Aggie Basketball Fans chanting "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" in the background of my life so I thought I would share.
First: our beloved space heater died. We have had this thing since we got married and has been my lifesaver. I have used it pretty much non-stop in the fall/winter/early spring for the past 4 years. I turned it on one day, it made a funny popping noise and the fan refuses to spin. Bummer! So I was stuck without a heater - but not for long and I made sure of it! That night I went to Walmart and bought a new, bigger, better one. But I still thought it was stupid that my heater died!
Second: we started working out at the gym and "Stupid, Stupid, Stupid" me decided that it would be fun to run a half marathon. So I have been training for my first ever, and let's be honest, probably my last ever, half marathon. What was I thinkin'?? I have actually enjoyed training for the most part so far but I have only ran for 6 miles consecutively so far - which I might add is the longest I have ever ran without stopping my entire life. I know, I know - it's pitiful. I used to play 90 minutes soccer games like it was no body's business but it's an entirely different training, I think I prefer a 90 minute soccer game but what can a girl do when there is no other option at the moment?
Third: speaking of the gym, I just have to vent my udder disdain for girls who go to the gym reeking of perfume! I was minding my own business, just running of the treadmill and this girl gets on the one next to me. I seriously couldn't breath because her overpowering perfume was choking me to death! I was saying in my head "STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!" I mean, I like smelling nice too but really?!?! Isn't a little deodorant good enough?? Maybe girls should try going to the gym to actually take care of themselves instead of trolling for dudes??
Forth: and most embarrassing.... The other day I was in a really big hurry browning some hamburger before I left for Young Women's. I usually am very careful about the grease going down the drain but totally spaced it this time. Sure enough - 8 lbs of meat later my kitchen sink drain plugged right up! "Stupid! Stupid! Stupid!" I couldn't take care of the mess then, so I left, did Young Women's, and then came home with Brett. Boy am I glad that I married a patient man. I know he was probably swearing at me in his head but all he was doing was laughing it off. We discovered that boiling water, baking soda and salt do the trick and do it fast! Worked like a champ - so if anyone feels like plugging their drain, there are some really simple solutions. I also found out that it's a good way to clean all of your drains instead of using harsh chemicals and it helps them smell fresh. :)
Fifth: Insurance companies are "STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!" I think I have done something minor to either a really deep muscle in the back of my thigh or my Sciatic nerve. I really need to go to a Physical Therapist. You would think that I could just walk into a company that is one of my insurance company's providers and be seen but NO! I must have a referral from my primary care physician! That's the most ridiculous thing I have ever heard! My PCP isn't going to be able to do a thing for me except tell me to go see a PT, which is all I want to do in the first place! Like I said: "STUPID! STUPID! STUPID!"

On a happier note: we are going to Philly this weekend! Yahoo! Another post with a much happier tone is on the horizon! :)