Day 135 (Sep 28) – Reading, PA

Today we got to see my long time friend Tacy (Dubach) Rutherford and her husband Scott (whom I’ve known since college).  Tacy and I were friends in San Antonio in elementary school.  She moved away in middle school and we always kept in touch and then ended up at Harding together - on the same wing!  It was fun to meet her 9 children and catch up for a few hours.  Among her brood, she has a 12 year old daughter, Isabelle, whom Audra enjoyed visiting with and a 9 year old son, Tucker who built legos with Carmen.  I love all sweet, homeschooling families, but this one has a special place in my heart.  So good, once again, to see friends.

Day 134 (Sep 27) – Independence

We drove about 30 min to a train station (Lansdale) and parked for $1.  Bought a family pass for $28 – unlimited SEPTA transportation for one day!  And barely made the train. The ride in to Philly took about 45 min.  Then we walked a few blocks to the Independence VC.  We picked up tickets for Independence Hall (free, same day tickets, but you must have a time slot – ours were for 11 AM) and had about 25 min to spare.  We walked on over to Ind. Hall to go through security and get in line and got to go in with the 10:45 group.  I love the off-season!  We had a brief intro by the park ranger while seated in the newer (1900) east wing before entering the original portion.  Then he took us into the PA Supreme Court Room and finally into the legislative room where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were both born.  Then we popped next door to see the Liberty Bell.  Audra said she had no idea when she got up this morning that she would see the Liberty Bell today.  She really is so easy going.  Carmen is a little more concerned with our itinerary and if ice cream will be involved in any way.  No ice cream today, but we did find some Philly Cheesesteaks at the Reading Terminal Market.  Also stopped at a bakery for cookies and a pumpkin whoopie!  We did all that and were finished by 2:00.  We went back to camp and breathed some fresh air.  It rained last night and this evening, but our day in Philly was perfect weather.

*Fact of the day:  The Liberty Bell was so named by anti-slavery groups in the 1830’s.  I always assumed it had been named during the revolutionary period.
Independence Pics

Day 133 (Sep 26) – Not Worth Blogging

Really.  We drove.  We set up camp.  We did school.  We watched Brady Bunch.  We planned for Philly.  That’s it.

Day 132 (Sep 25) – Regroup

The cousins skipped school to hang out with us.  Brad stayed at the house to reorganize and clean the truck and camper.  Deidre and I and the kids all went to Stroudsburg.  They had a couple errands to run and I had to take Carmen to a clinic.  She has had a rash on her face – and a bit on her arms for about 5 days.  It hasn’t gotten worse, but it hasn’t gotten better.  I was afraid it was staph.  But it was poison ivy!  Which I had also considered, but got worried about it.  We got prednisone and caladryl and are trying to dry it up.  We ate lunch at a Chinese buffet and then went touring around Delaware Water Gap.  They live in the Poconos.  The trees are starting to turn.  We even walked a little on the AT.  We will definitely be hitting that in some other spots.  It’s been a nice day.  We are tired.  Ready for a rest, but not sure when that will come.  I’m looking forward to working on my schedule.   
Cousins Pics

Day 131 (Sep 24) – Last Day

Thankful for an earlier night last night, although Brad and I watched football till later than we should.  This morning we slept in a little and leisurely packed up and got ready to leave.  We didn’t have a lot left to do today.  Our schedule has gone so smoothly.

We checked our bags and walked the block to the Empire State building.  We didn’t have time or money to go inside, so we just looked and took pics.  Then we walked to Macy’s.  I think the girls were pretty impressed with the “world’s largest store.”  Then we walked to Tic Toc diner by Madison Square Garden to meet my high school friend Maria!  Her first name is Carmen.  See the link?  So my Carmen got to meet my friend Carmen who she is named after!  Sweet!  And so much fun to get to hang out with Maria and catch up a bit.

And that was that.  We went back to the hotel to grab our luggage and walked to Penn Station to catch our train.  That was simple and Ben met us and took us back to their house where our little camper was waiting.  We visited some more with them and tried to get reorganized, but we were in great disarray.  Brad took care of all that the next day.

NYC Day 3 Pics