Philadelpiha, Pennsylvania
Today there is the Benjamin Franklin Museum where once stood his house.
Some of the buildings surrounding where his house once stood are still there,
so it gives us an idea of what his neighborhood was like.
Month: September 2016
Benjamin Franklin’s Neighborhood
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
I found the prefect place to put my feet up and RELAX in the neighborhood where Benjamin Franklin once lived. I asked my son; if Benjamin Franklin was alive today would he be a printer, an inventor, a developer, a statesman, a politician, what would he be? It’s a good question, because he was all of the above in the 1700’s and more.
Cabins at Valley Forge
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
From December 19, 1777 – June 18, 1778, General George Washington and his troops stayed at Valley Forge, which today, is a large national park preserved for our enjoyment. Reconstructed structures such as theses cabins and other buildings as well as statues remind us of that devastation winter that created the soldiers General George Washington needed to defeat the British.
Valley Forge National Park
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Valley Forge National Historical Park encompasses 3,500 acres and is beautifully preserved with restored historic structures, reconstructed log cabins, farm homes, and monuments erected by the states from which the Continental Soldiers came. There is a great driving tour thru this nationally protected area!
General Washington’s Residence
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
At Valley Forge from December 19, 1777 – June 18, 1778, General George Washington spent the winter with his troops, the Continental Army, until roads were passable and they were ready for the fight against the British. Out of this terrible winter emerged a new Army, confident and ready to do battle. On June 19, 1778 the British abandoned Philadelphia. Though the Revolutionary War lasted another five years, a major victory of the spirit had been won during the winter at Valley Forge.
Artillery Park
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
We did a driving tour thru Valley Forge National Historical Park. Valley Forge was a turning point in the Revolutionary War. General George Washington decided to have his troops spend the winter at Valley Forge, a day’s march from Philadelphia, which had been taken by the British. That winter the troops were trained and prepared for the fight ahead, though it was a very difficult winter and supplies were low, as Private Joseph Plumb Martin wrote, “We were determined to persevere.” How grateful I am that they did persevere!!
California Pizza Kitchen
I love going to California Pizza Kitchen, so when our son suggested it, I was all in! There was one in Philadelphia, (they are all over the country) not far from our hotel and we were actually able to walk to it. Being a vegetarian, I am limited with what I can eat, but there are a few dishes there that I really, really like!
One of my all time favorites is their Quinoa & Arugula Salad. It contains asparagus, sun-dried tomatoes, red onions, toasted pine nuts, feta and of course, quinoa & arugula tossed in their house dressing at Champagne Vinaigrette.
I really like their Roasted Veggie Salad with warm artichoke hearts, asparagus, eggplant, red and yellow peppers, corn and sun-dried tomatoes served over some cool Romaine Lettuce, with avocado and a house-made Dijon Balsamic Vinaigrette. Yummy!
They have some very good pizzas, one of my favorites is their Wild Mushroom Pizza with shaved Cremini, Shiitake, Portobello and white mushrooms with slivered scallions, cracked black pepper, Romano & Mozzarella Cheese and topped with Parmesan. We got the extra White Truffle Oil. This one is to die for!!
Next time you are looking for a healthy, yummy dinner or lunch try California Pizza Kitchen!
Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaOne Liberty Observation Deck
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
After a delicious dinner in Philly we went to One Liberty Observation Deck and had a wonderful view of Philadelphia. The sun was just going down, which added another touch! I didn’t realize how big Philadelphia was until I saw it from 883′ up or on the 57th floor, it was breath taking!
View From The Top
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
We had a wonderful time visiting Philadelphia and seeing it from One Liberty Observation Deck. Philadelphia was the nation’s capital off and on from 1774 – 1800. It was founded in 1682 by William Penn and is known as the City of Brotherly Love because in Greek, Philadelphia means ‘Brotherly Love’.
City of Brotherly Love
Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will be dedicated on September 18, 2016. We had the opportunity to go thru the open house. It is a beautiful Temple built with reminders of the city where it sits, Philadelphia. As you enter the foyer there is a beautiful painting of our Savior Jesus Christ, in the frame, above the Savior are two gills, reminding us of the sacred and important papers that were signed in this great city! To the right is another painting of Benjamin Franklin signing the Declaration of Independence.
Waving in the Wind
Sailing on Chesapeake Bay
Baltimore, MarylandFort McHenry
Baltimore, Maryland
On the morning of September 14, 1814 our flag was still flying over Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland, after a bloody night of shelling from the British. Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, spent the night on Chesapeake Bay and was delighted when he saw our flag flying in the morning light. From that experience he penned the words to our National Anthem and what later was named The Star-Spangled Banner. We had the privilege of going thru Fort McHenry where we thought of those who fought & died for us and of those who watched as our flag still flew, THANK YOU!
The Star-Spangled Banner
—Francis Scott Key, 1814
O say, can you see, by the dawn’s early light,
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming?
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro’ the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watch’d, were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof thro’ the night that our flag was still there.
O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?On the shore dimly seen thro’ the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In full glory reflected, now shines on the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner: O, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion,
A home and a country should leave us no more?
Their blood has wash’d out their foul footsteps’ pollution.
No refuge could save the hireling and slave
From the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.O thus be it ever when free-men shall stand
Between their lov’d home and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserv’d us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust!”
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
Delicious Mediterranean Dinner
We had one of the best Mediterranean dinners I have had!
It started with red lentil soup, that was so yummy!
We ordered two dishes so Chelsea and I could share, we got the Spinach Pie with salad and…
…the Veggie Kebab with salad & rice. All we had to do was put a Kebab on one plate with some rice and some Spinach Pie on the other and we were set. Absolutely, delicious, we definitely want to go back here again!
RUDY’S MEDITERRANEAN GRILL ~ (First Turkish Restaurant in Howard County) ~ 7185 Columbia Gateway Drive ~ Columbia, Maryland ~ 410-290-2004
Salt Lake City, Utah
