Historic Philadelphia

Today we had to fit as much in as possible as we could since we are driving to New York as early as possible tomorrow, (that equals 11:00am-12:00pm). Therefore we worked out the must see stuff and went from there.

We got on a scenic bus that first dropped us off at the building which houses the Liberty Bell, an iconic symbol of American independence that has meant so much to so many in this country ever since it was made in 1752 and now tourists from all over the world come to see what is now an international symbol of freedom. It resided in the Pennsylvania State House (later renamed Independence Hall) from this period up until 1976 when it was moved across the road to its current location overlooking Independence Hall.

Liberty Bell and its trademark crack which prevented it from being used for virtually all of its life

Independence Hall is known primarily as the location where both the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. We were fortunate enough to be standing in this historic room today where 225 years earlier, the likes of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin set about building an independent country to be able to flourish going forward. This place was very inspirational.

Inside Independence Hall (half of it). The chair at the main table (top left of picture) is the actual chair used for these famous occasions. It was George Washington who sat in this chair as President of the Convention for the signing of the US Constitution on September 17, 1787

Lunch was different, as we had it at the Reading Terminal Market. Established in 1892, it is the USA's longest continually running farmer's market, where you can have anything from Indian food, to Thai, to American, to Italian, to French food as well as all the farm fresh fruit & vegetables you could imagine - they had everything!

We couldn't leave town without running up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. Why, you ask? These are the steps that are used in all but one of the Rocky movies. I couldn't leave Philly without racing to the top of those steps and parading around at the top like I had just won a world title! After 15 minutes of Bailey & I making complete idiots of ourselves, we went and took some photos with the Rocky statue and we were back on the bus again.

At the top of all the steps - don't worry, everyone was doing this!

For those that couldn't tell us apart, I am in front in the red singlet

The view from the top of the Rocky steps back down into the city of Philly 

Once back in town, we had a little shop, before Gena and Bailey went back to the hotel, whilst Bluey and I went to see the Phillies play the Colorado Rockies.

We paid $10 for nosebleed seats in a sell-out game, but we were only there for a couple of innings. By the 5th innings we were front row on ground level, right next to where the cute ball-girl sat - unfortunately she couldn't get a ball for me. The night got even better though as it was tied going into the bottom of the 9th when Philadelphia hit the winning runs.

The Phillies mascot - The Phillie Phanatic was nuts - he was flying around the field on a Quad at what seemed like every break in play. He also did a lot of entertaining from the roof of the Phillies dugout.

Cliff Lee putting everything into this pitch

Chase Utley making a routine play at 2nd base

Can't believe I'm going to New York tomorrow.
~Riley.