Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

July 4 & 5, 2008

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

After a rainy 280-mile ride, we arrived at my sister Deb's house in Kennett Square, PA, just outside of Philadelphia. After an afternoon swim and a quick trip to the stables, we headed into the big city for Philly Cheese Steaks and Independence Day Festivities.

Here's Grace riding my niece Megan's horse, Maxamillion. Check out Max's Eyes Of Fire!

This is my niece Mindy's house in South Philly. Russell and I are coming back next summer because the house is only a 3 minute walk from the Phillie's ballpark. Mindy lives here with Uncle Caid. Cousin Morgan was visiting too.

Speaking of Cousin Morgan, here she is with Grace and Rupert. Rupert is the one on the leash.

After cheese steaks for dinner (I had mine with Whiz), we headed downtown for music and fireworks. Here we all are at the Love sculpture in The Love Park!

Heather started feeling feisty in Love Park. Who am I to deny her?

Then we waited in the rain until August 16th for this year's July 4th fireworks. At least we had glo-sticks and James (?) Legend to keep us entertained. The fireworks were great but started WAY TOO LATE. Maybe that's how they always do things in Philly.

The next morning, we all went down to Independence Hall. Russell spotted a Gatorade bottle left in the gutter by none other than Thom. Jefferson. Hard to believe, huh? Jefferson was a great man but his weak spots - slave owning and littering - leave quite a stain on his legacy.

Here's a shot of Morgan and Grace next to The Liberty Bell.

 
Independence Hall.

Tired sightseers resting on Benjamin Franklin's grave. Now, George Washington may have disapproved but I don't think Ben would care. After all, he is dead.

Loading Mindy and Morgan aboard The Big Rig for a quick trip to Washington DC on July 6 & 7. 'Til next post.

your non-founding father,

California John