Category: Explore

Haverford Nature Reserve, Pennsylvania

I recently enjoyed a springtime stroll down Meadow Trail in the Haverford Reserve, near Havertown, Pennsylvania. My brother lives there with his wife and their three beautiful girls. On this particular day we spent the morning playing at the coolest park I’ve ever been to (Nice one Haverford!), before crossing the street to enjoy the wilderness for a while.
Haverford Reserve is a huge swath of land right outside of Philadelphia.  I was told by my sister-in-law that it used to be a private estate, but the owner gave it to the city to be used for recreational purposes. Some of the land was turned into a city park, some into sports fields, and some into well maintained hiking trails.

Continue reading “Haverford Nature Reserve, Pennsylvania”

Independence National Historical Park: Liberty Bell

One of the most well known symbols of freedom is the Liberty Bell. This is the real thing, crack and all.
The Independence National Historical Park does a good job of making history come to life. The museum exhibits in the Liberty Bell Center told story after story of people who used the Liberty Bell as a rallying symbol.  In addition to revolutionaries, the Liberty Bell became an icon for freedom from slavery, women’s rights and democratic movements the world over.
Being there reminded me of this quote from Thomas Paine, one of the revolutionary thinkers of the time.

 
“What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as freedom should not be highly rated.” 
― Thomas Paine, The American Crisis
It struck me that the feelings of patriotism that I felt while at the Liberty Bell Center and Independence Hall were actually gratitude for all the people who came before me and fought for the “highly rated article of freedom.” I’m grateful to them and to those who fight for it now. Thank you.
Unfortunately Big E was more concerned with riding in little g’s stroller than appreciating national history. Here he is throwing a fit with Independence Hall in the background.  Before taking this picture I had carried him, talked to him, begged, bribed and threatened him, but alas there was nothing that I could do to make him happy. At one point I even walked away, assuming he would stop pouting and follow me.  It didn’t work.
Eventually, to the relief of the other visitors annoyed with my four-year-old’s cries, I just put him in little g’s stroller, pushed with one hand and carried little g at the same time. Thankfully the Liberty Bell Center was a short walk.

 

Independence Hall: National Historical Park

Independence Hall, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The highlight of taking the tots back east, aside from visiting family, was touring the Independence National Historical Park.  This National Park is unlike any other in that its purpose is to preserve the birthplace of our nation. The biggest draw for me was a tour of Independence Hall, the location of the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

 

Now, I’m no historian but I did have a great US history teacher in high school. I know the founding fathers met here in the Pennsylvania state house to discuss the radical ideas of representative government. It was heart warming to tour the building where this great nation began and to consider the cost the founding fathers were willing to pay for their their idealistic democracy.
I mean, if King George had come out on top in the revolutionary war there would’ve been a lot of smart guys killed for treason. Luckily for the USA, the crazy democratic experiment continued against the odds.

 

Independence Hall has two main meeting rooms, both set up in the way it would’ve been in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. In order to tour Independence Hall you must pick up tickets at the visitors center on the day of your visit.  Tickets are free and are available starting at 8:30 in the morning. On busy days they suggest having someone in your group pick up tickets for whatever tour is available and planning your visit from there.

 

Being in the same room where our nation began gave me a powerful feeling of national pride. I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the sacrifices of those founding families and I was awed by their courage to try such a bold endeavor.
Unfortunately little g was more concerned with pushing her stroller around than staying quiet for the tour. Whenever I tried to park the stroller to the side she went over to it and cried until I undid the brake.
Big E was also upset with life and wanted to be held by me constantly, making the stroller controlling even more difficult. Thankfully my brother and his family were there to help and thankfully the tour was only about twenty minutes.

 

After the tour we had snacks outside, which was probably the tots favorite part of the experience. They ran around the garden area watching birds sneak in to steal our spilled food. It was a great tour and I was glad to have gone there, but next time I’ll make sure to have snack time BEFORE the tour.

Good Morning Baltimore!

Our first stop on our trip back east was the great city of Baltimore, Maryland. At least we were told that Baltimore is great by our brother-in-law who attends Johns Hopkins University.  The merits of the city have been a long standing debate in our family and I was there to decide once and for all if Baltimore was all it’s been purported to be.

Our first stop was Druid Hill Park for my niece Eden’s third birthday.  We enjoyed tasty food in the sunny spring weather. The tots loved playing with their cousin and her little friends.


After the park Big E and I explored Johns Hopkins University with my brother-in-law. He took care to point out all the interesting facts about the history of the university and I have to say it was impressive. The colonial style brick buildings surround a beautiful central lawn.  Here Big E and I are standing outside the admissions building by a sign that says Johns Hopkins University. I know you can’t see it in the photo, but trust me, that’s what it says.
The weather was delightful, the city lovely, although we avoided the boarded off section of town.  I especially liked the green spaces, the parks and old world forests that we saw everywhere. Over all I have to say Baltimore was fun and worth the trip. The family naysayers (my husband included) were wrong. Baltimore was great and I’m glad I got a chance to explore it a little.
My one question is why Maryland is so obsessed with their state flag? Any thoughts?