In October 2007, my friend from back home (WA), Michelle, came to visit me. It was her 25th birthday celebration, so we decided to hit a couple of hotspots on the East side of the country. First, we went up in the Washington Monument because she has wanted to do that the last 3 times she has visited me. So that was fun. We also went out to the Dulles air & space museum. It was amazing. Tons of different planes, helicopters, etc. There was a full-size fighter jet and a full size space shuttle.
Pretty dang cool. We also got to go up in a tower where we could hear air traffic control direct the planes when they could land, and then we could look out the window and watch the planes come in. It was fun.Our next stop was NYC. We flew in to Long Island, since we had buddy passes from Michelle's mom. Southwest only flies in to Long Island -- no other part of NY. So we rented a car and drove a little over an hour to our FABULOUS Super 8 hotel. Ha. It was pretty gross. But a pretty good location. We took the subway in to the city, and it worked out great. We hit all the big things: Statu
e of Liberty, Ellis Island, Empire State Building, Times Square, Chinatown, Brooklyn Bridge, Phantom of the Opera on Broadway, etc. It certainly was a good time!!
Next stop: Philadelphia!! We did a lot of cool things in Philly. We visited the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, City Hall, Franklin Square -- where Benjamin Franklin lived the last years of his life and had all his business surrounding him, Ben Franklin's Grave. We also saw the room where the Declaration of Independence was signed, which had the original chair that George Washington sat in, and Thomas Jefferson's original walking stick on one of the tables. It was really cool. Of course we had to experience a Philly Cheese Steak, so we broke for lunch and ordered. Mine was chicken, but it was still good. :) When we were done in old town, we headed to down town. We visited the "Rocky steps"
and also toured the Eastern State Penetintiary. That was spooky. We saw the jail cell that Al Capone lived in for a year. Pretty crazy.
and also toured the Eastern State Penetintiary. That was spooky. We saw the jail cell that Al Capone lived in for a year. Pretty crazy.
Once we were d
one with Philly, we headed on over to Gettysburg. But on the way, we saw signs for Valley Forge, so we took a detour and visited a statue of George Washington on his horse praying. I believe that the story is that he went in to the woods on the back of his horse and prayed for guidance in the war.
one with Philly, we headed on over to Gettysburg. But on the way, we saw signs for Valley Forge, so we took a detour and visited a statue of George Washington on his horse praying. I believe that the story is that he went in to the woods on the back of his horse and prayed for guidance in the war. It was such a beautiful day. Perfect weather to have the windows and sunroof open. When we finally arrived at Gettysburg, we purchased the auto tour and listened to the stories on the CD as we drove to designated spots along the way. It was really neat, and we enjoyed ourselves. The views were just amazing and we kept marveling at the beauty of the autumn leaves and vast landscape. Crazy to imagine all the fighting that went on there. Anyway, all in all, we enjoyed ourselves immensely and thought the entire trip was a complete success!!
