6:15 am flight (flight 1776 how appropriate)
left DFW with no issues until we got into Philly as we ended it with the ride being a little bumpy due to partly cloudy skies. temps cudnt be any better with a high of 71 degrees. tho I do say, the stewards really got a kick outta me when they ask "Can I get you anything?" & I responded:
" Yes... 3 Dr Peppers please."
(He literally did a double take but said "Coming right up!"
Had fun during the flight watching (on my portable dvd player) the
National Geographic's dvd on the White House. What a wonderful way to kick off this adventure and I would highly recommend doing this.
Anywho -
Arrived at the Hyatt in style (11:30am)- a limo
. I never expected this. that was a nice touch by ABD. I was met at the airport by this very nice young lady as she escorted me to the limo. She had no idea it was me on that name card she was holding up - thus she was pleasently surprised by me taking her pic (I asked first) THEN saying, "Are you ready?" Anywho, here is her pic:
My hotel during this part of the trip is the Hyatt at Penn's Landing - very cool hotel...you will not be disappointed:
(exterior shot of the hotel)
Just part of my view from the window of my hotel room:
...and an interior shot of my room:
So, after getting checked into the hotel, I was off to see the sights. I exited the hotel, walked 1 street up and turned right and there (after a few streets) was Penn's Landing:
and....
...Market Street was pretty fun to see as well:
Initially, should you have a little trouble orienting yourself to the area, there's plenty of help around to assist:
From 11:30 - 1:30pm: Ate lunch at Campos (I HAD THE "HEATER" WOW!! - IT TASTED GREAT!) and toured the Liberty Bell / Colonial Philly area.
********* WOW *********
Here are a few pics from the exterior of Campos:
While walking aroung colonial Philly, I can tell it really helps to have watched HBO's miniseries "John Adams and to have watched the Disney Film "National Treasure" cuz just like going to WDW, it pays to pay attention & know exactly where what is when u go there and not be confused when you arrived. But, when I saw this building, I reacted the same way to seeing it in the same way when I first saw Cinderella's Castle.... I cried.
(Pic of Constitution Hall; Philadelphia)
- Anywho -
From 1:30pm to 2:45pm; spend unpacking my OnE sUiTcAsE. WOW! Great view of the city from the 20th floor. Great view also of the Delaware river.
At three pm: I went downstairs to meet the 2 ABD guides but we had a scheduling problem so I will meet them Friday pm.
3:30pm to 5pm: Saw more of Colonial Philly.
One really neat place to check out is the Independence Living Center (the place where you first meet for the beginning of the Tipplers Tour). There, I got a chance to see some of the artifacts they have been able to find in and around colonial Philly:
this is what is first brought to them (look in the foreground):
and they in turn, turn it into:
I also had fun there learning about our great seals on our US currency. From above the eagle, there are 13 stars in the constellation to 13 letters in "E Pluribus Unum (and even which way the eagle is facing), it sure was fun getting my fill of "I didn't know that."
From there, it was on to my Tippler's tour.
5-8 pm - "Tippler's Tour."
Now the question has been raised of "Just what in the heck is a Tippler's Tour? Ok....the name Tippler's have to do with ale and how (careful....information overload.......)
anywho -
You visit 4 Taverns and learn more about Colonial customs, Ale toasts, songs and what not from the period...all while downing some spirits and munching on some food.
TIPPLER'S TOUR REVIEW:
This was a fun way to kick off my trip and I highly recommend it.
Now....back to the fun
.
Ok ...this was a blast
cuz I was with 3 ladies (part of out group) who work for a Federal magistrate judge and oh my!! The stories they cud tell! Esp about one of them receiving the 911 call from Mrs. Dupont's wife explaining that John had killed someone
. WHOAH! ..and the person heading up the tour? totally hilarious! Esp when I replied to him that I am from the republic of Texas....he looked at me a little funny....then I replied that it's "just a little left of the Georgia's".....then he smiled and nodded as if he understood.
Here are some pics from the Tippler's Tour:
"Our Tippler's Tour Guide"
(My Tippler's Tour comprades)
We nibbled on our fair share of:
and downed our fair share of:
Though, I hadn't had anything to eat since 11am that morning so the effect of my 2 beers per stop really had it's effect but I managed without acting too Goofy.
8-10pm: Went swimming at the Hyatt pool. beautiful view of the skyline.
yes...they do also have a sauna (steamroom as some of you may call it) and it is just Fantastic!
From there, I went back to my room, took a wonderul hot bubblebath (I am in with housekeeping and they are keeping me WELL STOCKED WITH SUPPLIES)
& finally went off to Nerverland around 11
m to catch some much dererved zzzzzzz's.
UP NEXT:
Got yer walking shoes on?? Cuz from the Betsy Ross house (tour the inside of her house) and to Franklin Square (to play putt-putt golf) ....I am heading off to Genos this afternoon to catch me a CHEESESTEAK! YYUUMM