Philadelphia, PA...Liberty Bell, US Mint, Old Supreme Court

I really need to write down these memories shortly after returning from a trip so I can remember all the little nuances that happened on a vacation trip and record them. I'm sitting here...about 2 months after the trip to Pennsylvania...trying to recall if the kids said anything, did something funny or if we learned something really cool that would be nice to always remember. I'm sure there is something that I've now forgotten, so at least there are some pictures to look back on and recall some good times.

While visiting Brooke and Todd in PA, we took the short drive to Philadelphia to check out the sites. This is the line to get into the building to see the Liberty Bell. Crazy to have such a pile up for one little inanimate bell with a crack in it.

Independence Hall. Both the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution were signed in this historic building. Bunch of traitorous men doing some illegal stuff against their government happened in this hall....and made for a more free nation because of their illicit deeds. Good for them.

Handsome, friendly looking people. The Washingtons and Adams. Martha, George, Abigail and John.

All she really knows right now is that she's with her Mom and Dad, outside where it's not freezing cold or sticky humid, and chowin' down on some goldfish crackers.....life is pretty darn good right about now.

Boys conversing. Trent, B and Todd.

I was 4 months pregnant or so here. Kyleigh has always been real sweet and excited about a new, upcoming baby. (It may be just because it hasn't had his chance to scream, spit up on her or otherwise bother her life as she now knows it....so we'll see if the love keeps up once baby boy gets here. She's naturally very nurturing, so it's a good possibility).

For you literary, 'culturized' types...here's a little light reading about the storied Liberty Bell. (There's a reason a huge building has been built to house one chime maker.)

Frederick Douglass quote:

Chief Little Bear of the Blackfoot tribe.

The first few halls of description, relics and photos were of the making of the bell and initial use, then it passed to the Blacks and Women using the Liberty Bell to signal their desire for the same rights and liberties that its initial use was intended to bring.

Then we finally got to the Bell!!! (B is probably wondering....'All this waiting and standing around in lines was for this? Don't you people have anything better to look at?')

Kyleigh was so excited to see the Bell! No, she was just excited to have another excuse to tackle/hug Brenden.

After seeing Liberty Bell, we walked a couple blocks to the US Mint (click here for their website. It's cool).








 
They don't allow any photos (so i copied some google images for the ones above), and it's a shame because you walk above the factory where they actually make the money and you can see the rolls of copper and silver, then the blanks punched out, etc. It was really cool. I think the kids actually did like this one. (But they never complained at the previous Liberty Bell experience either, so who really knows.) If you've always wanted to know how coins are made, but never knew, click here for the website/info.  B would push a button to watch some of the videos about what/how they make the money below. Kinda wish we would have bought the kids the giant pennies they were reaching for and giggling over its size, but it was Sunday... :( so we couldn't.

After US Mint, we walked over to the Old City Hall

Couple of famous historic dudes sat in this hall.

Kyleigh and William Penn getting acquainted.

The Historic District is really cool to walk around and well maintained.
'Specially so if you have a free ride like the kids...

Do you know why this undergound group of bricks have been preserved, with a giant hole in the ground and glass to protect it and for viewers to gawk at? I was curious, so I read the sign next to it and looks like Washington needed a house besides Mount Vernon. Was this where our first Nation's capital was? Anyway, lots of meetings and visitors to entertain, so Washington needed a house in Philly and here's part of it:

Brenden represents his country well. Fine, strapping boy. :)

Captain Fun walking the kids back to the car.

A sampling of all there is to see in Historic Philly. We only saw a few of them.

If there is a ledge, these kids will climb up and walk along it. Doesn't matter if it belongs to the Federal Reserve.

After the Mint we let the kids run around the grounds before loading the car to go home, eat dinner that was pipping hot and ready for us right when we walked in the door....Brooke had to stay home to do homework and offered to have dinner ready when we returned. Excellent service by these Waldie-Cook Pennsylvanians.

PA is a fun place to visit. Even with small kids.