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Today was a day for Philadelphia and Bucks county, so we arose and were out of our hotel at 10 AM with the plan to zoom over to Independence Hall for our 11:00 appointment for our tour. We got there, and as expected it was busy, busy with the average tourists and the all too familiar school groups of annoying youngsters. We got our tickets and rushed over to get in line. IMPORTANT POINT TO NOTE: If you have tickets for the 11:00 tour, but you’re stuck in line…you’re not getting in. That’s right. No go. We waited in line while countless school groups were rushed in ahead of us and when the Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey finally got up to security (I had bailed because I was going to hold the pocket knife that SPNM had brought with him), security was apparently even better than your standard airport fare. Even after a security check, they were told, “Sorry, you’re late by like 10 minutes.” 10 minutes? There’s no room at the inn after 10 minutes? We can’t just join the 11:15 tour? Are you serious? Yes, they were. Fab. So after a minute or so of grumbling, we decided to check out the Liberty Bell (through the glass), and then walked around the Independence Hall area where we saw Benjamin Franklin’s tomb (I actually didn’t realize he was buried here), and then called it a wrap. Next step…automobile.
We got in the car and headed to the yummiest place on earth…PAT’S KING OF STEAKS. It was time for the obligatory philly cheese steak of joy. I’m a hard core Pat’s girl…not into Geno’s at all but when I did live up here the first time I ate at either one/or both I did a taste comparison so I can proudly say it’s Pat’s all the way without being bigoted without experience. I got my standard cheese steak whiz wit’ out. YUM. Then we headed over to South Street which is looking pretty good these days – or perhaps everything looks a tad less seedy in the daylight. Sir PirateNinjaMonkey scored a sweet pork-pie hat (I still don’t know why they’re called that), from the aptly named “Hats in the Belfry”. After walking the strip, we then drove through Germantown, Mt. Airy, Chestnut Hill and Willow Grove with the full intention to get to the place that I lived 10 years ago.
NEW HOPE. No, this isn’t going to be a blog about Star Wars #4. We blessedly were able to to get to New Hope before a lot of the shops closed, although with it being Tuesday, all the shops weren’t open (it’s such a weekeneder town). We enjoyed one of the dog-good stores, Jake and Elwood Blues Dog Emporium (I think), where I got some goodies to take back to the 4 legged children. However, the find of this trip was a new tea shop called CUPTEAVITY. The Jim and Sir PirateNinjaMonkey are quick on their way to being conissours of fine teas and we ended up with a bag of Ice Wine tea and Blue Lagoon tea. I got some blooming teas because I think they’re cute. We then went to Mother’s restaurant on Main Street and had a lovely dinner. Afterwards, it was back in the car and after a wonderful ride on river road and 611 we were back in Easton, which was a good thing because I was exhausted and we have a full day ahead of us tomorrow in NYC.
All in all, another beautiful day – say a little prayer for us that the weather holds up for NY.
Hello followers and apparent fans of the Jonas Brothers (stay tuned you wacky kids, there’s a contest coming up for you scamps), yesterday we packed up the car, the Jim, Sir PirateNinjaMonkey and Me…situated the pups (our fantastic Easton Boone and Uli Bear), with Lord and Lady Dotson (aka Chris Dotson and Our Mate, Maria), and their wacky pups Ginny the bearer of liquid evil and the sassy lassy Trixie Pup. We arranged for our house sitter the lovely, Mrs. Nelly herself to check in on Iris Pants and Kira Dottie. We hit the road and started the journey around 8 AM – destination, NORTH…specifically, Easton, Pennsylvania (my hometown).
En-route, we ate breakfast at Flapjacks which is where sadly the low-carb game plan ended so far. We stopped in Greenville/Staunton, Virginia at one of my favorite gems of a restaurant, Edelweiss where we noshed on some fantabulous German Food. I highly recommend the following items if you venture there:
- Brochen (which is so close to the real thing it’s funny)
- Soft Preztel (appetizer)
- Vienerschnitzel with Spaetzel,
- Rice Pudding with Merangue Topping
IN a word, DELICIOUS. Then back in the car and back on the road. We headed into Easton, PA around 8:00 PM and I, for one, was happy to be home. While coming home is never the same since my Mom’s passing (obviously), but it’s where I feel closest to her these days. I miss her so. Anyway, we rolled in kissed and hugged the Daddy and Dolores and ran out to my FAVORITE pizza place, Colonial for some late night grubbery. I had left a voicemail for my best friend, the Perfectly Marvelous JennStoc and texted my first sis-in-love, Mrs. Patrick Star to see if they wanted to join us or I could bum-rush them but sadly, no. Still, we ordered the antipasta (must have), and a traditional Colonial Pizza and one with some toppings (blasphemous). It was so scrummy that I was in heaven. Ah…food can truly transport you back to your childhood.
Then it was back to Clover Court and home. After some good converation with the Dad and Dolores, we called it a night. All in all, day one was marvelous if not a lot of traveling (10 hours in the car). Still we arrived happy and ready for an adventure tonight.
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If heaven were an ice cream place, I think Bruster’s would be in the running for heavenly places. Apparently, as all or most good things do it was started by a man in Pennsylvania and now is in 21 states. Why are they wonderful? Well, the focus on good quality handcrafted ice cream that is just more luscious than it ought to be. My favorites are Cotton Candy Explosion and the new addition that I had yesterday that I will go to time and again, Peanut Butter Puddles (which is a name I found funny saying or at least silly). The Jim had Blueberry Cobbler Ice Cream yesterday and he said it was wonderful. Truth is, Bruster’s ice cream is wonderful and if you haven’t tried it – go forth and nosh. You won’t be sorry you did. Unless, of course you are overly concerned about your weight (life is too short, enjoy).
Okay, so it sounds more elaborate than it really is right? This is our little slice of internet nonsense, which basically is our on-going effort to keep our friends and family up-to-date on our lives, our love and our continuing pursuit of pomegranates. In this modern age of movement, we’ve realized that distance is not an excuse to not keep everyone posted, so please - stop by anytime - in person or internet-ly and know that you are all never far from our thoughts.
