Monday, May 30, 2016

Philadelphia Freedom

Yesterday, on the Sunday of Memorial Day weekend we took a road trip!

For the last 5 years or so we've gone to NYC for Fleet Week but we decided to switch it up a little this time.

First, we stopped at the U.S.S. New Jersey, in Camden, NJ.  This ship is the most decorated battleship  in U.S. History. It's service encompassed 48 years and now visitors can tour the decommissioned battleship's 887-ft.-long deck & sailors’ living quarters.

We enjoyed the audio device with narration that gave us useful information and made it more interesting for all of us.  Here are the kids learning about the happenings in the Admiral's quarters.



We toured for about 2 hours and surprisingly we all enjoyed it with no complaining!  Here are some of the interesting things we saw.



Bunk beds--you can tell he doesn't have to sleep there.

The Brig...aka jail.



Chapel



Transfer chair that takes you from one ship to another.

Barbershop



  It was very interesting; a great place to visit.


Next, we went over to Philadelphia.  We parked and visited Dad's office.  Here's his view from his window.  Not too shabby.

View of  Independence Hall

Ben Franklin Bridge
We ate lunch at the Bourse Building.

Source
Then we went to see the Liberty Bell.



After that, a horse and carriage ride through Old City Philadelphia.







And last, Independence Hall, where both the United States Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution were debated and adopted. It is now the centerpiece of the Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.


That about wraps up our fun-filled day.  Needless to say, some of us were pooped by the end.


Mary and I had a little fun with those who fell asleep on the ride home.



Wishing you and your families a Blessed Memorial Day!

5 comments:

  1. You guys are the best!
    What a wonderful experience!!!
    Love your family, my friend.
    And love your hair!

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  2. How fun!! Now that is a weekend! Love the sleeping pictures..🙂

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  3. Wow! This is a great way to remember Memorial Day. You know, the older I get, the more I love history. Being able to actually touch and feel it just really brings it home. (Love the carriage ride picture of ;)

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  4. Hello Kathleen,

    What a fun road trip!

    Last year, my husband and I, along with our youngest son, met up in San Diego with my sister and her husband (they are from Minnesota). We spent 5 hours touring the USS Midway Museum. I could not believe that I could spend so many hours there without getting tired of it. Part of the fun was that my sister and I went at our own pace and left the fellas to their own much slower pace. (That is where cell phones come in extra handy.) My son said that the aircraft carrier was his favorite part of our week in San Diego.

    Happy Saturday!
    ♥Hope

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