A Piece of Philadelphia, PA

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania certainly has a lot to offer tourists from cultural attractions to historical sites.  One or two times is not enough time to grasp all that Philadelphia has to offer, but you can try!  I certainly did by joining up with a Duck Tour in Philadelphia. 

To be honest, when my friend recommended a Duck Tour I thought she had lost her mind.  I know she lives in Oregan and a Ducks fan, but hours following ducks?  Then she gave me the lowdown on the real Duck Tour she was speaking of taking.

$27 gets you admitted on the Ride The Ducks Tour in Philadelphia.  You meet in the Liberty Bell Center and head out.  The Duck Tour is named after the vehicle being used not an actual duck chasing adventure.  The vessel for this tour can drive on roads and take you into water.  I understand this tour is available in other select cities, as well.  http://philadelphia.ridetheducks.com/buy-tickets.aspx

The tour takes you through the Historic District of Philadelphia pointing out sites along the way.  Our Captain was very knowledgable of Philadelphia and had a lot to offer as insight from living in Philadelphia his whole life.  This is a great way to figure out the sites you would like to return to for a more in depth tour.

On the Deleware River in the Duck.  The Benjamin Franklin Bridge is in the background.

A must see in Philadelphia also includes the Liberty Bell.  The Liberty Bell is located in the Liberty Bell Center, which you are conviently dropped off at the end of the Duck Tour.  This is free and just takes some patience while everyone is taking pictures with the Liberty Bell.

The Liberty Bell is the iconic symbol of American Independence.

The Liberty Bell Center boasts many displays featuring the history of the Liberty Bell including its travels around the world.  Previous to this visit, I was oblivious to the fact that the Liberty Bell would have a passport with more stamps than I have in my passport.  It turns out the Liberty Bell has traveled as a symbol of Freedom in many other countries and some consider the Liberty Bell a symbol of freedom available to the world.

Continuing with American history and symbols of freedom, we toured the home of Betsy Ross.  Betsy Ross is credited with the creation of the American Flag.  Her home and the area surrounding her home also contain stories of secret meetings and societies aimed at defeating the Bristish.

The home of Betsy Ross.  British taxation on homes was based on width of the house.  So, many homes were skinny and moved upwards to avoid taxation.  Taxation also included the number of steps leading to a home.

Other historical homes in the area includes Carstairs Row.  This street is also known as Elfreth's Alley.  Philadelphia’s Elfreth’s Alley is hailed as the longest continually occupied street in the country.

Elfreth's Alley is a National Historic Landmark.

Again, the trend within historical Philadelphia has everything to do with building skinny houses that move skyward.  The stairs shown here either indicate a richer area historically or they were added over time.  The first homes on this row were built in 1702.

A trip to Philadelphia would not be historically complete with hearing about Benjamin Franklin and his contributions to the American freedom we live today.

Independence Hall - this room is where the debates and adoption of both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution took place.

If you visit Philadelphia and are interested in touring Independence Hall make sure to get your tickets in advance.  These tickets are reserved ahead of time by hour in order to keep the traffic and wait to a minimum.  Again, the tours offered here are directed by hosts very proficient in interesting and pertinent information.

The gravesite of Benjamin Franklin.

It is thought that while visiting the grave of Benjamin Franklin that tossing a penny on his grave is good luck.  Many will make a wish will donating their penny to the gravesite.

Philadelphia City Hall

Philadelphia City Hall was the tallest building in the US. A statue of William Penn is on the top and it was used as the marker that Philadelphia buildings were not supposed to surpass when building.  In 1984, this building was surpassed by One Liberty Place.  The breaking of the gentleman's agreement not to build above William Penn of the Philadelphia City Hall created great controversy with fear that too many skyscrapers would end the charm of the area.  There is tale that this is also when the Philadelphia Sports teams started a downward spiral.

The "Curse of Billy Penn" was lifted when Comcast Center was built ousting Liberty Place as the tallest building.  Included in the construction is a statue of William Penn at the very top making sure Penn is once again the tallest iconic fugure in Philadelphia.  It is said by locals that the Philadelphia sports teams became more successful at this point.

Love Park at Christmas

JFK Plaza also known as Love Park in Philadelphia houses the famous Love artistic display.  This display represents the City of Brotherly Love as Philadelphia has been nicknamed.  During Christmas the lighting of the Philadelphia Christmas tree resides with the Love structure.

Another cultural phenom in Philadelphia includes the famous scene from Rocky where Sylvester Stallone runs a training marathon that takes him to the top of the steps at the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  The walk there from the historic district is an endurance test itself, but the views and fountains heading up Benjamin Franklin Parkway make it worthwhile.

We went the distance and took the steps to the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

The Rocky statue is now located at the bottom of the museum entrance (along with Rocky water for sale), but you should still travel to the top for an amazing view of Philadelphia and to say you "went the distance".  Granted I did not run, but I did not travel slowly either.  Watch out!

View from the top of the Philadelphia Museum of Art

I plan on visiting Philadelphia many more times.  I am happily charmed and enamored with the Historic District and Benjamin Franklin Parkway.  There are also amazing restaurants including Amada by Jose Garces that has an amazing Sunday brunch.

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

Visiting a historic site is always humbling and is often pretty quiet.  This is exceptionally so when visiting a historic site that was a war zone on American soil.  It is often hard to imagine that the Civil War happened between Americans.  Gettysburg, PA is a national historic site with cute shops and restaurants.  Even with these amenities, it is hard to visit this place and not imagine wartime and the loud boom of cannons.

In 1863, a battle took place in Gettysburg like none other known in American history.  More casualties are counted in the three days of the epic Gettysburg battle than any other American wartime.  A third of the regiments were killed or wounded during this period of the Civil War.

I am both proud and chilled to have walked the battlegrounds of our forefathers who created the reality we live today with great sacrifice.

Eternal Light Peace Memorial

Little Round Top



Pennsylvania Memorial to the Soldiers and Women who Supported the Soldiers



View from inside the Pennsylvania Memorial to the Soldiers and Women who Supported the Soldiers.  This picture was taken by my friend, Linda Carman.

Gettyburg from on top of the Pennsylvania Memorial to the Soldiers and Women who Supported the Soldiers.

Kentucky memorial to Lincoln.

Site of the Gettysburg Address.

Gettysburg at sunset.

If given the opportunity, make time to see historical sites.  Not just for the importance, but for the feeling and empathy that will encompass you at the end of the day...if you open your mind to it.

Nemacolin Woodlands Resort

Every once in a while, (or if you are lucky more often than not) you find yourself in a place you have never heard of, which is magnificant.  I found myself in this position when I was asked to go to Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania.  I had never heard of this place and found it to be both charming and luxurious.

This destination resort is in southwestern Pennsylvania and has so many places to explore in either of the hotel wings, restaurants and outdoor areas, you never have to leave.  Below are a few pictures I took during my brief time at the resort.  Definitely, this is a place I need to return with more time to explore!

The opulent lobby and seating area.

This cherub statue sitting in a corner surrounded by stained glass and foliage is in a corridor of the resort.

An example of pieces that adorn all areas of the resort.  There are so many unique items and books here, you could spend a day just exploring the design.

These impressive statues reside in one of the outdoor courtyards.  Behind this large courtyard, is an airstrip for private, small planes.

I love the striking layers of statue and soft, but strong vegetation.




A pond outside of the Nemacolin Wild Side area.  

 

If you have a chance to experience Nemacolin, I would recommend it.  I am ready to go again!

Fallingwater by Frank Lloyd Wright

Fans of Frank Lloyd Wright understand his views of a clean and efficient home design.  His ability to combine these goals with the beauty and stunning effects of his architecture and design is truly amazing.  Way ahead of his time, Frank Lloyd Wright cared about the environmental impact of his work and brought nature into his artistry.

This home was built for the Kaufmanns who had wanted a cottage in the woods.  The result was more than anticipated at the beginning of the project and definitely created an escape with all of the comforts I would love when "camping" in the woods.

Fallingwater is considered one of the Smithsonian's Life List of 28 places to "visit before you die."  The design was complete in 1935 in Pennsylvania.  The home was built over a waterfall on Bear Run in the Laurel Highlands of the Allegheny Mountains.  Designated a National Historic Landmark in 1966, this is a place to visit.

Viewing this home, knowing it was designed and built in the 1930's, is like looking into a portal to the future.  From the steps taken to have little environmental impact to the streamlined look and feel, as well the open feel of the living area, you see into a mind that redefined American Architecture and remains an inspiration.

Of the 5000 square feet for this project, the Kaufmanns wanted Wright to manage a 50/50 feel of indoor versus outdoor space. He came close with 2900 square feet designated for indoor space.

The "crick" outside of Fallingwater.

This is an early example of understanding the importance of incorporating nature and residence. The house is built over a waterfall and the elements can be seen from every room. In fact, the design of the hallways and rooms is intended to draw you to the outside while inside the "cottage".

Every living area is attached to a terrace or balcony. The staircase leading down from the living room to the stream is accessed via movable horizontal glass panels.

The Western Pennsylvania Conservancy is entrusted to preserve Fallingwater.



The home and guesthouse cost US$155,000: house US$75,000, finishing and furnishing US$22,000, guest house, garage and servants' quarters US$50,000, architect's fee US$8,000 in 1935!



Over 2.7 million people have visited Fallingwater since it opened to the public in 1964. The house is located halfway between the villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle on Pennsylvania Route 381.

 This is a truly inspiring space.  I certainly have not learned to live with so little or in such small rooms, but it is quite incredible.  It made me want to learn more about Frank Lloyd Wright and the Kaufmanns.  I also went home and had a huge purge of excess items.  No amount of house purging will bring me to the level of Frank Lloyd Wright, but it does not hurt to make a little effort every once in a while.

The information located for this post was gathered during the tour, from fallingwater.org and wikipedia.