Today is another day where we tried to do it all. We made a valiant effort, and did pretty well, but we could have used a few more hours. We basically made a big triangle today from D.C. to Hershey, Pa. to Philadelphia, Pa.
As excited as we were to go to Philadelphia, we couldn't pass up the chance to go to Hershey. Ben has been dying to go there for the longest time, so we surprised him (and the other boys). It was a "dream come true" for all of them.
CHOCOLATE WORLD--what could be better than that?! It almost felt like Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I think they have little magical pumps to send out the smell of chocolate from the second you get out of your car until you get back in it. Ben swears those people who live in Hershey are the luckiest people in the world.
They had a ride that took you throughout the whole chocolate making process, which was actually very interesting. We were on the ride around 11am, and this is how many candy bars have been made already today at this early hour! The numbers aren't too clear, but at least you get an idea. I think they make 60 million kisses a day!
Overlooking the loot!
Oh, if Ben only had $40!! They each got to pick one thing, though, and as much as Ben wanted the 5 pounder, he scaled it down to the 7oz. bar.
We got some lunch and then headed to Philadelphia. It seems like we hit one traffic jam after another on the way there...on a Saturday! That's why we waited until Saturday to go to these places so we would miss most of the traffic. We got there pretty late in the day, and like everything else at this time of year, everything shuts down at 5pm! I should just send you to Julie's blog from last summer to get the real deal on Philadelphia!!
Daren took the boys, and our baby, I mean the camera, to see the Liberty Bell while I ran to the visitors center to see if they had any tickets left for Independence Hall....sadly, no. :(
The sun was out for a beautiful shot of the spire on Independence Hall.
We got into a tour of the West Wing, where the first Congress met. It was here that John Adams was sworn in as second president of the United States.
Next we went to find Benjamin Franklin's grave, which by that time was also closed!! There is something to be said about traveling in the summer--warmer weather and things stay open later!
This is just a smidgeon of what Ben Franklin did in his life. At least he died on April 17 and not the 15th! ;)
This was the best I could do for a photo of his grave--holding my camera over the top of the high fence to get a picture.
Driving over the Benjamin Franklin Bridge.
Once the boys ate their dinner they were free to eat their chocolate they had gotten earlier.
I said free to eat it, not wear it!!
Both Ben and Will went for the big Hershey bars. Will nibbled his and still has a ton of his left. Ben seriously ate his entire candy bar, and has not yet gotten sick. That's because, in his words, "When you are a chocolate loving person like I am, you don't get sick." The thought of it makes my stomach turn right now.
Thank you to the City of Brotherly Love for a great short time...we'll be back!!
2 comments:
Does anyone get more out of a day than you guys? The "chocolate factory" will be at the top of the boys best memories of the trip. Looks like everyone is well at this point - wonderful!
Another advantage to going there in the winter is your kids have a picture of them only in front of the Liberty bell. When we were there, the room was packed all around the bell! Not good picture taking scenery.
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