9/1 - 2 - Feeling a little Philly.

Adam in front of the Second National Bank in Philadelphia, with original cobblestone street beneath his feet (right, & below)





We showed up to our Hampton Inn hotel room, courtesy of Adam's cousin Stephen, on a one-way street near a dark alley where parking, not included, cost us an additional $24; it was about 11:30 or 12 at night. Despite the feeling of insecurity (we had to use our room key to even enter the hotel lobby - another first for us), our room was very clean and comfortable with a huge bed to sprawl out in. We pretty much crashed in it once we were settled.


Trista stands in front of the landmark Independence Hall as it undergoes a bit of construction (right).
The bell tower at its peak was the original helm of the infamously cracked Liberty Bell (right, below).



Trista rose early enough to partake in the complimentary breakfast, which we weren't sure would be any good but surprised us. The night before we were both starving and foolishly decided to stop at a Wendy's to eat dinner - way past dinner time, mind you. Adam, for some reason, thought that the new bleu cheese and bacon burger sounded appetizing, while Trista had a salad and baked potato. Well, Adam felt miserable the next day - too ill to have any of the waffles or cheesy eggs that the hotel provided for breakfast. It took only a few hours for him to come around. Thankfully, it wasn't a legit case of food poisoning.


Once we checked out we were only a couple of miles from Independence National Historic Park, where the uber famous Independence Hall is located, as well as one of America's single greatest symbols of freedom: the Liberty Bell. The bell has quite an extensive history, which is very interesting to learn about, and it used to hang, long ago, in the bell tower of Independence Hall. The Hall itself is famous world-wide for its significance in U.S. History - it is THE building where the Declaration of Independence AND the United States Constitution were both written and signed, and here, in 1776, the U.S.A. was born as a free nation of the world. When visiting these two icons one can feel that sense of origin and power and history. Even a few of the streets are paved in some of their original cobble stone.

Adam couldn't leave Philadelphia without ravaging a trademark cheesesteak sandwich from one of the numerous vendors supplying them. Even Trista, not typically a carnivore, couldn't resist it; totally scrumptious.

ONCE AGAIN, we didn't allow for enough time to explore the inside of the famous Hall because we were facing a two hour drive to New York, with the night looming in soon; plus Trista said she was getting bored. Oh well.

We hopped in the car quickly and anxiously headed for our new home, and the purpose for this whole trip, the one and only New York City. Big Apple, here we come!