Philadelphia

Brian is serving as the President of the Utah Public Health Association and was asked to go to Philadelphia to the American Publlic Health Association Conference. It is a hugh group of health officers gathered together all in one place. It is estimated that over 10,500 people are here. As you can imagine we are taking over the place. While Brian is learning how to keep the public safe, I am enjoying the city sights and enjoying some solitued. Yes - I can find solitued in the 5th largest city in the United States.

My first day in Philadelphia has been great. We are walking distance from Old City Culture Center and right across the street from the Convention Center. There is this amazing market called the Reading Terminal Market one block away. It has everything you could imagine. Fresh fish market, cheeses, vegetables, creamery made in Lancaster from the Amish. (I confess I had a ice cream cone from that one) Bakeries etc. I had a French crepe today for lunch with pesto and a cheese I can't even pronounce, but is was so wonderful. I am going to eat lunch there every day and try something new that I have never had before. Here are a few of the places I visited. We went back to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell but did not take the tour because we did that in June when we were here with Garrett so there are no pictures of that and that’s the main tourist stop in Philadelphia, but if you’ve seen "The Bell" once that’s enough.
 
This is the Declaration House. In 1776, while attending the Continental Congress, Thomas Jefferson stayed in this house owned by Jacob Graff. (He was trying to avoid the excessive heat of the city) In this house Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence.
 

This is where the signing of the Constitution happened and they would meet and debate. This served as the Capital of the US for the first 10 years. Do you remember in the movie "National Treasure" Nicolas Cage was climbing around the clock tower when he found Benjamin Franklin's glasses. Not a true fact by the way!!!

Clock Tower on Independance Hall

 

Looking Upward

We were walking over by the US Mint on our way to the cemetery when all these bikers came rolling by. Amazing sight to see. We could not figure out who they were so we decided they must be from the Sherlock Holmes Society out for a little exercise.

Leader of the Pack

Brian's Favorite                                                                           

Having a little smoke on the pipe while getting in a little cardo workout.

Some looked the part better than others. I think this guy is Randy Horreuchi. He is a member of Salt Lake County Council and he was one of my High School teachers. He taught debate at Kearns High before he entered politics. Do you recognize him? What's he doing in Philly with the Sherlock Holmes Society?

I've always wanted a bicycle built for two. I thought it would have been so fun to have when we had the house in Paris. Check out the basket on the front and the green argyle socks.

This is where we were standing when the bikers came rolling by. This is the final resting place of Benjamin Fraklin and his wife Deborah. Christ Church Burial Ground.

Chronology of Benjamin Franklins life.

Christ Church was just a few blocks away. This church was founded in 1695 by members of the Church of England  William Penn  was baptized here and the font that was used is still in use. 15 signers of the Declaration of Independence were members of this church. It is opperating as Episcopal parish.