I was so tired, but I was able to write my blog on the 2nd day in New York. We made it to Philadelphia on time (yes, on time) and I saw that this train station was the nicest I had been in yet (well, Union Station in LA is very nice, so the nicest on this trip that I've used...excluding Grand Central in NY). I checked my baggage (thank God the only place I'll need it, they have it!). Then I went to the traveler's aid station to ask some questions about getting to Independence Park. The man there was so unhelpful. First he basically said I couldn't do it and get back for the train to Harrisburg. I asked taxi transportation versus taking the subway. Taxi would be expensive. But then the subway is really crowded, there are lines and they hold people back. I should just go to the art museum. So, I said I had heard about that and looked at it but had been told there were not tickets left to get it. Did he know? "How should I know? I'm sitting here, not at the art gallery." Realizing this guy would be of absolutely no help, I just said thank you and walked off. Funny he was titled traveler's aid. I'm not sure what kind of aid he would be able to give.
I asked some other people for help and got on the subway (which was not crowded at all...empty seats each time). The subway did seem to run every 10 minutes or so. I made it out to 5th Street which brought me up right in the middle of the historic park. There were a lot of people milling around and in the lawn area. Everything said to start at the Visitor's Center, so I did. The tickets into Independence Hall are free, but the only time available was 2:30 and it lasted about an hour. I looked at the train times to Harrisburg and realized that wouldn't work. So, I walked looked around a bit at the Underground Railroad information and then walked out to the house Washington lived in while there as president. Most of the information was on the slaves and their stories. It was very interesting on Washington's involvement on slavery.
Washington's wife, Martha, had inherited a few hundred slaves. Some of those slaves he brought with him to Pennsylvania, but the problem was that if they lived there more than six months, they were free according to state law. He would have to send them back, which he did by rotating slaves, every six months. Two escaped while there. When he died, he left in his will the freedom of the slaves that he could free at the death of his wife.
I looked at the line for the liberty bell and thought about it, and asked some people who said the line was moving fast. I decided to not do it then, maybe later if I had time. I was able to see it through a window, and I figured that would be good enough. I walked around Independence hall and down the streets. That area of the city is very charming with it's brick homes and cobblestone streets. The buildings around are all very lovely as well as beautiful trees and flowerbeds.
I walked over to the Carpenter's Hall where the First Continental Congress met. I walked passed the house where Dolly Madison (before she was married to the president) had lived. There was a lovely garden area next to it to show that of a 18th century garden. I walked past the 2nd Bank of the United States, a large impressive Greek Revival building.
I came upon the City Tavern, the tavern established in the late 1700's where the great founding fathers ate. I decided it looked like a good place with lots of character and I liked the history of it. I am so glad I did! The workers were all dressed in the time period. The dining rooms were great with metal water goblets and beautiful blue and white plates to help set the mood.
I was brought bread on a little metal dish and was told that the biscuit was from Jefferson's recipe for sweet potato and pecan (my favorite!), a cornmeal bread that was not my favorite, and sweet tea bread named after Sally Lund (wasn't really clear if it was her recipe or based on her recipes). I chose the turkey pot pie from Martha Washington's recipes. After my tasty meal, I walked upstairs to see the personal dining room of George Washington. The larger room had held his inaugural ball.
After lunch, I continued my trek around the city, walking by the location for the first national bank. It was a very cute area, but there were a few spots that looked very run down. I walked over to the row houses that Benjamin Franklin had, with the post office and printing office, etc.
At this time, I knew I had better get back to the train station for my 2:45 train, for which I had not yet purchased tickets. I went down the right sub station, but thought I hadn't so I went up, crossed the street and was glad I asked because I found out I needed to be back on the other side. I think I had missed the train doing that, so I ended up waiting nervously because it seemed to take so long, and I was sitting thinking about how I needed to pick up my baggage yet.
The train finally came and I made it to the station, with a bit of trouble figuring out what the best way out was. I saw an exit for the amtrak station, and saw a turnstile that said exit in between the two booths to come in. The other turnstile said it was for emergency exit, so I went through the one that was marked. At the same time a lady was coming from the other side, but I was closer and I assumed the turnstile I was going through was only an exit. She came to the turnstile as I was coming out and muttered about hating "these white people". I think she was upset because I realized that it was also an entrance for her and she thought I was cutting her off. I'm not sure, but it certainly helps me realize how frustrating it is when people make racist remarks about you. It doesn't feel good. I get why people might feel a lot of anger if they hear those kinds of remarks frequently. Of course, why then do it back to people? It does not improve the problem by doing so.
I made my way upstairs and outside to the amtrak station but then could not find my baggage claim. The line to buy tickets was not real, long, but I had only twenty minutes until the train was to come and if they went slowly, I was afraid I would miss is. I searched frantically for it, but could not find it. Luckily the nice baggage lady asked me to describe the baggage, which I easily could, and she retrieved it for me.
The line had actually almost disappeared, luckily, and the ticket lady gave me a ticket for the Keystone (I had taken the Regional down to Philly). I went directly to the line to wait a few minutes before we were loaded on the train. I had a seat to myself and finished my blog for the last day in New York. I saw absolutely lovely countryside, green and lush. Large fields with large farmhouses and silos dotted the hills along with horses here and there. I knew I was going to love this area! I did see a large Amish trading store just outside of Lancaster.
I was at Harrisburg within and hour and forty-five minutes after purchasing a diet Coke and a little piece of fudge, I hired a taxi to drive me out to the airport to pick up my rental car. I was surprised there was an airport here and was trying to figure out if there was a major university out here. Until I realized seeing road signs that this was the capitol of Pennsylvania. Oh...that's embarrassing for a history teacher!
I got my red Ford Focus hatchback and drove out of the airport and to Pheasant Field B&B. I drove through such cute countryside and little towns with their old fashioned homes. I drove up and was ecstatic that I had chosen this location. It is the perfect idyllic setting.
The owner came out and helped me with my bags and showed me my lovely room with a private bath. My bed is a queen with a beautiful heavy oak colored headboard and footboard. The house is large and built somewhere around 1805. I took the suggested walk out the front, across the street to a short path to a white bridge over a little mossy stream.
That led to a little sitting area in front of a large pond that has a fountain in the middle of it. There is a nice meditative walk nearby. Geese fed on the grass and small areas of flowerbeds added pops of color.
I walked back to the house and saw the female owner, Dee, and she told me a little more about the house and the barn The barn behind was built in the late 1700's and the stone front of the has slats that allow for guns to come out, since this area required protection from the natives. She took me inside where the horse stalls are, although the horses were out grazing. We climbed upstairs where I could see up close the slats as well as a big hole in the back. Chances are that during the battle of Gettysburg (not that actual battle but one led by a general nearby) a cannonball created the hole (they had a grad student that looked it up putting it at the right location and an engineer who said that the hole was made from the outside). The barn is built into the hillside. Such fascinating information!
My hosts recommended Cafe Bruges, a Belgian cafe in the town of Carlisle. I drove in and it is yet another historic and adorable town. I walked a short distance and then ate a a burger and frites (fries) with a home-made curry-ketchup sauce. It was quite tasty. I could smell the belgian waffles they were bringing for dessert but was too full to eat.
I returned to the B&B, where I went to my room to watch some TV and finish this blog. I'm pretty excited because they have walking trail directions, one of which is a part of the Appalachian trail (which I had said this last fall I wanted to hike!).
Tomorrow starts my Civil War Battlefield journey at nearby Gettysburg! Tonight it's going to be a peaceful slumber in this perfect room in a farmhouse!
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