Day 9 and 10: Mission Accomplished

Day 9: Our last stop was in Colonial Williamsburg. But before I go off about the blacksmith and public gaol I thought I'd rewind a bit about our car trip to Niagara.

My son, Owen, spent a good portion of the car ride explaining an Ipad game to his sister. I know to the casual fan this may seem unremarkable.  But somewhere I once heard that love was patient and kind. And Owen was both patient and kind.... with his sister... for a considerable period of time. The little things.

So we arrived in Williamsburg and were quickly reminded that it was still summer in the South. Not appeased we went straight for the blacksmith. If you want to know what its like to be a Blacksmith in the summer do I have a picture for you.

The kids were fascinated by the process and got to test out tools that were made "black" by the process of heating and cooling the iron.

Gracie wanted to go to the gaol next, and so we did. There was a "home" attached for the gaol keeper and after we went inside I wanted to shut the door- this was an air-conditioned gaol. Gracie was having none of that.  Spooky indeed. So we stuck to the outside-- we had more fun there, anyway.

That night we ate at a local tavern where we played games and ate ribs... was that how the colonists ate?  The evening was special though because the kids decided they'd rather do another day in Williamsburg than head to Busch Gardens. Odd.

Day 10: The highlight of our last day was the excavation site where the kids played archaeologist. They wanted to stay all day as they cleaned porcelain plates and chicken bones with toothbrushes. They sat next to real archaeologists as they happily worked and learned about the culture of the 18th century colonist. It was a good reminder of how fun an education can be.

I think the rest of the day was filled with Owen asking me if he could purchase a toy gun. So there was only one option left.

Mission accomplished.

Day 7 and 8: A Natural Wonder

There is some unique excitement about going into a foreign county for the first time. Maybe its the healthcare system, or maybe just the unknown, but the anticipation is palpable... even waiting in a line of cars.

Day 7 was mostly full of travel, but it ended as all days should, with cool Canadian air, a surly border agent, and fire works. The kids were the best they've ever been during the long car ride, and took to the late evening with a sense of joy. Sure, maybe we had to buy them a glow in the dark ball made in China, but isn't that just part of the Canadian experience?

The French and Indian War was a crucial antecedent to the American Revolution, without which British taxes on American colonies would not have been necessary. The battle of Niagara was pivotal for the British victory, but that's probably not why we are here.  Niagara Falls is simply a wonder to behold. So on day 8, we clipped some photos at all the crucial spots. I almost can't believe the one below comes from my own camera.

The highlight of the trip was the cruise up the Niagara river. There is something pure about approaching the falls: the wind, the cool rushing mist, and the physical beauty all come together to create a memorable moment. 

What an amazing adventure. We head back to Maryland tomorrow before ending the trip in Williamsburg 

Day 6: Iconic images

Our last full day in New York started slowly, as we did not get back from the game until very late the previous night. We finally made it to the Museum of Modern Art- and it took the kids a little bit of time to warm-up to the idea. So we started with an image with which they were familiar: The Starry Night. Yeah I snapped that one, but this is my blog so I'll leave you with my personal favorite-- iconic indeed-- from Andy Warhol.

After MOMA, Owen and I had a chance to ride bikes in Central Park while the ladies hit up the largest American Girl Doll store in the United States... so said Gracie.

From there we finished our bus tour package by circling Central Park. We stopped at the set of Night at the Museum- or should I say the Natural History Museum. We saw big things there: like bones and meteorites and whales- but found the layout a bit of a maze. 

 I had never been to Harlem and wish I had more time than the fleeting bus tour. But our tour guide was awesome- and I got what any good tourist comes for. I believe the kids were face down in our laps at this point- so this was a tougher photo than it may seem. 

Before the apex of the day, our first trip to Shake Shack, I was able to get one last photo. I think it captures New York pretty darn well- and will surely be one of the many images we take with us on our future travels.  

Day 5: "Mo Salah"

The crowd chanted, "Mo Salah, Mo Salah" as they waived Egyptian flags and raised Liverpool scarves as he prepared to enter the game. Three minutes later Mohamed Salah would deliver as he tied the game with a beautiful header over the defenseless keeper; 55 thousand fans at the Meadowlands would rise to their feet in appreciation: Manchester City and Liverpool fans alike. It was a fitting end to our day.

It began with a poignant reminder of our American values as we visited Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty. Here we learned about the 12 million immigrants who came to the New World from 1892 to 1954 seeking a better life. With the clothes in their suitcases and whatever money they had in their pockets, they sought liberty and opportunity. They didn't have much, but in America, they had a chance.

From there we explored a tenement home on the Lower East Side, where Italian, German and Jewish immigrants found their first homes and jobs. It was cool for a July day, but hot on the third floor where the air had a hard time circulating- maybe now the kids will not complain about the temperature in our house. The life of a garment worker wasn't easy-- but immigrants didn't come to America because it would be easy-- and they didn't come because they had lots of money.

Day 4: Hello, New York

We left Philadelphia today, but not before visiting one last Philadelphia landmark, the Liberty Bell. The Liberty Bell made for a good reminder of all that the city symbolizes, and all that our country has become. The statehouse bell that once rang as a call to attend a reading of the Declaration of Independence, will forever remind us of how important it is to fight for and keep the freedom earned by those who came before us.

After managing the white-knuckled drive into New York City, we found our hotel and hopped on a bus to see some of the city. We traversed some of the famous streets of New York and earned some sore necks searching for the horizon.

Not to be outdone, we splurged for an elevator ride to the top of the iconic Empire State Building. We found the Brooklyn Bridge, Lady Liberty, One World Trade Center (pictured), and yes, the coveted horizon.  It maybe hard to tell, but Katie was not thrilled with our distance from street level.

Tomorrow calls for rain, but here's hoping it is not a washout.

Day 3: We the People

During day 3, the family dodged rain showers while hitting some of the remaining must sees for any self-respecting teacher of government and economics.  Neither the U.S. Mint nor the Philadelphia Federal Reserve allow for pictures, so any of you pondering a life of crime will be sorely disappointed by this post. Instead, my children learned that a penny saved is a penny earned by giving a penny away at the tombstone of Benjamin Franklin.

We stopped by Franklin Court, next. Here we saw a working printing press (not to mention his privy).  Franklin apparently had his own publication that required printing.  We learned about the origin of upper and lower case letters, and marveled at the dedication and detail needed to use movable type. I’d tell you a little secret about Franklin, now, but apparently the only way for 3 people to keep a secret is if two of them are dead.

In the afternoon we wondered over to the National Constitution Center where we thought about the meaning of the first 3 words of the preamble of the Constitution: “We the People.”   The kids loved learning about Alexander Hamilton.  His propensity for a strong national government was largely lost on them— but the necessity of turning sideways during a duel really hit home.

The 1904 Float from Franklin Fountain capped a busy day.  Sore feet were the rule, but a float big enough for 4 seemed to turn the frowns upside down.

Day 2: Franklin was a big Deal

The family took a tour bus to get an overview of the city.  It was chock full of good bits of history and wonderful weather-- overcast but relatively cool for a July summer day. From the bus I grabbed this photo of the Chinese Friendship Gate.

As we transitioned from bus to bus, the family was able to stop at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. I'm positive there is some great art there-- but we were more concerned with taking selfies from the famous steps-- where Rocky finishes his training montage.

Finally, we made it to the Ben Franklin Institute. Apparently, Franklin was more than just a political theorist. He was also an inventor, and the Franklin Institute captures this side of his spirit. This hands on museum proved very interactive, and brought one of America's most vivid founders to life.  Thanks, Ben.