Teresa was up before six to go running and I got up shortly after to finish packing and getting the unit cleaned up and ready to leave. We had it all done and the car packed by 9:30 and we on the road to go see mom one last time.
She was sleeping when we got there but was quick to get up since she did remember we were leaving today. She was having fun with the kids as they have been telling her about selfies and dances. She thought it was really funny that she was in her first selfie with them while we were here. We were there a little over a half hour when she said she was tired and needed to lay down again. It was sad even for the kids to leave her. They said they wished she lived closer to us so they could visit her after school. I was grateful to be able to spend this time with her....even if it was for short periods of time each day. We hit the road towards Philly about 10:30.
The day is sunny with beautiful blue skies and it is getting warmer as the day goes on. The plan was to have an afternoon of history for the kids before flying back to Atlanta. The twins are studying the documents at Independence Hall so that was a focus as well as the Liberty Bell, Art Museum and Prison. Since the Pope is going to be in Philly arriving Friday night, major road and bridge closure are advised on the electronic boards as we drive north. We really have no clue what is the best way to get where we want to go although we do have a map. Teresa has been known to be the "blessed child" and this trip was no exception. We wind up going over the Ben Franklin Bridge and really are just a few blocks from Independence Mall area. We find parking on the first level we enter of this garage and it is directly across the street from Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell Center. We had to walk to the Visitor Center to get tickets and the next tickets available were for 12:30....it was 12:05! We had time to make a restroom pit stop and then head over to the next block. Of course this whole area is under construction of stages and big screens as the Pope will be making a speech here. Roads are closed, police and security are everywhere but the excitement and energy is contagious here. We go through security and get in line for our tour, The park ranger told us we had a few minutes and if we wanted to visit the "West Wing", the original documents of the Declaration of Independence, Articles of Confederation and the original stamp they used. We went there and the kids enjoyed getting to see all of that. When we returned our tour was ready to start. I know I was here as a child but don't really remember anything about it. Being here now really gives a sense of awe at what took place here....we are governed the same way today as they set it up over two hundred years ago. The kids were surprisingly interested in everything the ranger told them. The only item in the room that was an original piece was the chair Ben Franklin sat in. It is a beautiful building and in has been well cared for. After the tour was over 30 minutes later, we went to see the Liberty Bell then back to the Visitor's Center to have their passports stamped. By this time the kids were hungry and Teresa wanted to go to Jim's on South Street....interesting area. We quickly find that Philly drivers are on a short fuse...I'm sure even shorter with all the road closures and no parking because they were blowing their horns every time Teresa didn't move out quickly enough. She found South Street and it is packed and only street parking. She lucks into someone pulling out of an end spot a block from where we need to be so we pull in. We are gathering our things and this man walks up to Teresa's window. We were hesitant to put the window down but the guy asks if we are parking. Teresa says yes and he hands her his parking ticket good until 3 PM. He had paid for more time than he needed and he said he didn't want it to go to waste. Amazing! We walked the block and talk to them about Lindsay's issues and determine she can eat there. We eat and then head in the direction of the Art Museum since the kids want to run the "Rocky Steps". This was the first time we actually had difficulty getting around and drivers tempers were getting very short. We actually pass in front of the Cathedral where the Pope will say mass and there were tons of people leaving messages all over the outside of the church. The kids wanted to go and do it but we looked and really there was no place to park so we went on and even the Art Museum was blocked off so we had to go past it but the kids got to see Boathouse Row from the car as we drove trying to find a way to get to the back entrance to the Art Museum. After a short period of not knowing where we were, we actually did find a way to get in through the Fairmount Park Waterworks area. Teresa and the kids walked around to the front so she could film them running up the steps. I stayed with the van (I wasn't going to run up the steps anyway) in case the police ousted us from the area. I did walk around the statues of the generals on the back side of the museum and watched two ice cream vendors in trucks get into a fight and one ran into the back of the other...then the police came. Teresa got back before I found out what the outcome was of the two vendors. Oh and while we were sitting at a light in front of the museum, a car ran a red light and almost got broadsided by a city bus...yikes. Driving here is scary! We took off to find the prison. We do find it but there is no time to do the tour so that will be for another trip. Paige is disappointed because she really wanted to go in although I don't really know why. We did drive around and took pictures of it from the outside. It is hard to believe that this prison was right in the middle of a residential area. I must admit after looking at it, I doubt anyone could have escaped...there were no windows and it was solid stone walls that appeared to be several stories high.
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| The "Blessed Child" being her usual smug self! |
It is time to get gas and turn the car back in. It is getting towards rush hour time but we were only 7 miles away from the airport and get there without having to go back through the messy closures. It took us awhile to reorganize and get everything out of the van and Teresa had to put some additional things in her luggage. We boarded the flight and backed away from the gate early but then were told that we were twenty something in line for take off. This seems to happen every time I leave from this airport. We finally got to our turn and had a smooth flight into Atlanta. We were off the plane and got the luggage in record time and went to get the shuttle to the parking. We were in the car and heading home at 10:30. Sadly, Teresa has to work for straight 12 hours shifts beginning in the morning so she won't get much sleep tonight.
It was an action packed trip but anytime Teresa is on the trip, everyone is constantly on the go. We did a lot and got to spend some good time with mom which was the purpose of the trip. It all worked out great and the kids had a good fall break.
