This past memorial day weekend Pat and I visited my life long friend, Jenny Wolf
Isom, in Delaware. You may be thinking..."Who lives in Delaware?" or "I forgot that was even a state!" We had the same reaction, but this weekend was full of education, laughs, and fun.
Pat and I took the "Chinatown" bus to Wilmington,
Delaware late
Friday night, where my friend Jenny and her adorable daughter, Annabelle picked us up. The next day happened to be Jenny's 26
th birthday. We celebrated all throughout the day, but started with a yummy breakfast from
Panera. I think this is my new favorite
restaurant.
Then after breakfast we headed to Philadelphia, which is only about an hour away. The east coast is full of history and Philadelphia has a lot of it. We only explored a few blocks but each block held a valuable piece of history for us to appreciate.
Our first stop–the
Liberty Bell, which is a symbol of independence within the United States and has been described as an icon of liberty and justice. The bell was ordered in 1751 from London. When the bell was hung, the following March, to the dismay of onlookers, the bell cracked during testing. Isaac Norris, speaker of the Pennsylvania Assembly, wrote "I had the mortification to hear that it was cracked by a stroke of the clapper without any other violence as it was hung up to try the sound."
Right across the way from where the bell is currently hung, stands Independence Hall Philadelphia, where the
Declaration of
Independence was signed. The windows on the right side of the building is the actual room where this document was signed by 56 men. Also, the bell
tower steeple of Independence Hall was the original home of the "Liberty Bell."
Then just a block or so away is Benjamin
Franklin's grave, who was one of the Founding Fathers of the United States of America. Franklin is also known for his discoveries and theories regarding
electricity.
For some reason it is tradition to throw
pennies on the Benjamin Franklin's grave, which I later discovered is it due an ancient superstition that says that if you drop a coin and make a wish, the dead person can help you. However, Pat thought is was actually to keep the lid on for when Benjamin Franklin turns over in his grave because of what has happened to this country.
Next stop, Betsy Ross' house. Betsy Ross is known for the making of the first American flag. George Washington, himself, asked her to make the flag. If she had been caught she would have been put to death.
At many of the
historical landmarks, were actors
reenacting the times.
You can't go to Philly without getting a Philly Cheese Steak. We went to the world's first cheese Steak Restaurant. In 1933, one of the brothers, of a family that owned a hot dog stand, were working their stand when they decided to try something different for lunch. Pat Olivieri sent Harry Olivieri to the market for some inexpensive steak. The brothers thinly sliced the steak, then grilled it along with some chopped onions. The aroma attracted a cabdriver who was a regular customer; he asked to try the dish which the brothers called a steak sandwhich. Pat sold him the sandwich for ten cents.
The line wrapped around the block.
But the line went surprisingly fast due to the formulaic way you need to order. It reminds me much of the "Soup Nazi" on Seinfeld. It was very scary to order, because if you mess up you they get angry and can send you to the back of the line.
I thought the steak sandwhiches were really good, but the general concensus of our group is that it isn't worth all the hype.
(Left to Right: Annabelle, Jenny, Jed, and Avery)
The Rival of Pat's Steaks is actually right across the street, where the lines are just as long. Each restaruant has fans that swear by either Gino's or Pat's as the best cheese steaks.
That day was hot and fun filled, which wore the "kids" out.
Turkey Point in Baltimore, Maryland.
That evening, the Isom's got a babysitter and we went to a beautiful look out point called Turkey Point on the Chesapeake Bay.
I absolutely LOVED Turkey Point. Being in New York City has really made me appreciate nature and all that is associated with it. I couldn't get over how good everything smells, how good the breeze from the bay felt, and the overall peace that comes from being in nature.
We ended the night with dinner at Applebee's and dessert with a Cold Stone ice cream cake to all celebrate Jenny's birthday.
It was such a fun weekend being with the Isoms in, of all places, Delaware!
Pat testin' out how bacon tastes with peanut butter.
If you are a Seinfeld fan, you might have known that is the famous diner where the gang always meets and eats at in the show. This place "Tom's Restaurant" was right across the street from where we got dessert.
