Bicycling from Washington DC
Through:
Maryland, West Virginia,
Pennsylvania, New Jersey,
Delaware & Virginia
2007 - August - September
August 23 & 24, 2007
Philadelphia PA
Sightseeing
The venerable Lathim Hotel is a couple of blocks from the awesome, dramatic Kimmel Center (though no shows are planned until September), a few blocks from the City Hall, the Central Reading Market, Chinatown, and dozens of shops… but most importantly, in the midst of hundreds of eating establishments. We ate many times a day and were well pleased with all the samplings: the 4-star Brasserie Perrier (named one of the 5 best restaurants in Philly by Zagat) delighted us with exquisite tastes and styling; the city market stunned us with choices - George and I finally chose polenta cakes buried in mushroom ragout from Everyday Gourmet, then ice cream from Barrets (100 years plus making ice cream right there); skulked through the kitchen to pick lunch at the historic South Street Souvlaki (classic Greek standby for 45 years); cheese trays at the Philadelphia Art Gallery listening to modern jazz; late night crepes at the tiny French Creperie around the corner; and several tasty and substantial breakfasts at Pete's Grill (Zagat's best 24 hour eatery). You might also know that there seem to be more Starbucks per acre here in Philly than there are in Seattle! Good thing we will be back on the road soon.
Well, we did see some of the sights when we were not eating. The weather was warm and overcast most of the time, pretty good for the lots of walking around we needed to do. On Thursday, we began with a tour of the Independence Hall and the associated buildings, then the Benjamin Franklin museum, Audubon House, then the US Mint. Luckily, the walking was interspersed with short informational films/movies that let us rest our feet. Most impressive for me was the breadth of historical background displayed by the US Rangers and other guides in presentations and responding to questions about US history, the people and the assessment of the 'temper' of the times in the 1700's.
On Friday, a hot and humid day, Mary Kay and I marched around doing laundry and moseying along the very trendy South Street while George and Jim toured the Philly Masonic Temple, an impressive structure. Later that afternoon we went to the Philly Art Museum to tour, then enjoy some jazz at "Friday night Art" with tours, a bar, and ambiance like a busy city bar.
I was most impressed with the life and contributions of Benjamin Franklin - one of those Renaissance men who appear every generation or two. Talk about a 'can-do' fellow: invented flippers and kite boarding as a kid (didn't become popular for many years), started a newspaper at 23, started the Philly fire dept, the lightening rods, a hospital, … made enough money to retire to do politics and science in his 40's .. and on and on.
Lots of bicycles in use here, people apparently using them for work and for fun - with all the one way streets and so much inner city traffic, bikes get you around about as quickly as a car, without the parking problems.
Great city, Philly. I could live here, but I'd need to buy one of the inner city condos and buy a membership in a local car-share-system (we saw several lots with these cars parked there, all the cars cute, clean, and pretty new). Then I'd mostly walk or bicycle, drive a couple of days a month just to keep my skills up.
Weather forecast is HOT and HUMID. We'll be out in it tomorrow.
Regards, Jane
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