Sunday - June 19, 2011

Our friends Mitch and Carol from Serendipity came over this morning and we decided to go to Philadelphia to visit the Liberty Bell and other historical places. When we drove into Philadelphia, it was lunch time so we went to South Philly and partook of a Philly Cheese sandwich at Geno’s which you purchased at a corner stand. The line extended into the street on both sides as there was another curbside restaurant across the street. We then ate the sandwiches at an outside table beside the restaurant. The sandwiches were delicious! The owner is Geno's has posted an number of politically incorrect signs on his storefront, some quite humorous depending upon your point of view. South Philly was apparently the Italian area for years, but in recent years new immigrants have moved into the area so it is now a mixed neighbourhood, not without some tension.

We then went over to Independence National Historical Park where we spent the rest of the afternoon walking around looking at the historical plaques, buildings and Liberty Bell. It is described as "America's most historical square mile" and correctly so with all the history related to the Declaration of Independence etc. One of the buildings called the 2nd Federal bank contained a huge number of paintings of various men and women that were key to the creation of the USA. Most of them were painted by one man - Charles Wilson Peale. Discussions were included on the various philosophies under which the new country should be governed. Lots of roll players around, the streets were paved with old stone which apparently came from the ballast of the old sailing ships when filled with cargo. The Liberty Bell is located in a beautiful building with lots of information leading up to the actual viewing of the bell.

On the way back Mitch and Carol took us over to see their house which is rented but which sits on a beautiful piece of wooded land. As went down the gravel road to the house, it was very similar to property other friends of ours have near Burke’s Falls – long entrance way into the property, lots of forest and water. We then had dinner at local pub in Newcastle. I had the most delicious Shepard’s Pie – deep dish with lots of filling and potatoes, covered in gravy.

We will post more pictures when we get better connectivity than we have here.