Philadelphia and Gettysburg

While we were up in DC, we figured we were close enough to visit just a few more historic sites. So, we made our way up to Philadelphia, as the first capitol of our nation, and Gettysburg, as the site of one of the most famous battles of the Civil War.

On our way up to Philadelphia, we got delayed by a horrible bus accident that closed the interstate. By the time we got to Philadelphia it was lunch time and we stopped for classic Philly Cheesesteaks.

Yum, Yum! Look at that sandwich.

Sissi, waiting in line to see the Liberty Bell. She's working on her Jr. Ranger booklet. She has gotten quite a collection of these and we have been so thankful for her free 4th grade National Park Pass this year.

The Liberty Bell.

The family in front of the Liberty Bell. The kids said they thought it would be larger in size.

Coming up on the Pennsylvania State House, also known as Independence Hall.

The front entrance.

Because we had been running late, we weren't able to get tickets to go inside...they are first come, first serve; but, a ranger said we should go over there and ask anyway; if there was room in a tour, we might be able to add in. I prayed on the walk over and we were so thankful that the Lord allowed us to find favor with the ranger. Even though the tour was full, they let us in, so grateful!

The Pennsylvania Court.

The famous room, where the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were signed.

Where the Senate originally met.

Another view, outside of the Pennsylvania State House.

Just some signs, showing where famous people have stood.

...and John F. Kennedy.

The American Bible Society moved their offices from NYC to Philadelphia. They are working to open a Visitor's Center sometime next year. We passed them as we were headed to the US Mint. We had an incredible tour of the mint, but due to security, there are no photographs allowed inside.

The gift shop at the Benjamin Franklin Museum. Sissi sure likes all the Junior Ranger gear.

Taking her oath after completing her book for the Junior Ranger Program.

Outside the Visitor's Center, with Independence Hall in the background.

Indy and the kids.

After a full day in Philadelphia, we drove over to Gettysburg.

Before we toured the famous battlefield, we took a couple of hours to visit one of our our past President's home. The home of Dwight and Mamie Eisenhower.

The famous portrait of her in pink, in their formal living room that is full of gifts from leaders all over the world.

The tour guide said they only purchased 5 pieces in the whole room, all of the rest including paintings, carpets, knick knacks, and the like were gifts.

The grandkids called this room, "Grandma's Museum."

The famous Lincoln fireplace, a gift from White House Staff when the Eisenhowers left Washington D.C. The painting over the mantle is of Prague and was from the people of that area, thanking him for bringing peace and the end of World War II.

The family's sun room, where they usually spent most of their time. The painting at the end is a copy of the last painting that President Eisenhower was working on when he died.

The dining room.

His afternoon napping room. After his heart attack, he needed daily naps. He painted the picture above the bed of his grandchildren.

Their joint bedroom.

Their kitchen, frozen in time to the 1960's.

His office, where he temporarily set up the "White House" while he was recuperating from his first heart attack while President.

After leaving the Eisenhower's home, we got some lunch and started on our battlefield driving tour.

We saw lots of open fields, read history of the battles that took place, and went up observation towers that were built 130+ years ago.

The lay of the farm land around the Gettysburg Battlefield.

My boys, at Little Round Top.

Sissi, working on her Junior Ranger book.

The view of part of Devil's Den from Little Round Top.

Statue of General Gouverneur Warren at Little Round Top.

My Gwangi at the site. A couple of months ago we watched the movie, "Gettysburg," and so between studying it and seeing the film (done on location) they were pretty familiar with what they were looking at.

My girl, in the warm PA sun.

My oldest boy.

Looking down on Mommy from the New York Infantry Memorial at Little Round Top.

Sissi, ducking under what is left of some of the original breastworks, used to hide soldiers while they were shooting and protect the artillery.

Indy at the New York Infantry Memorial on Little Round Top.

The Pennsylvania Peace Memorial. The small figures at the top, are the three boys.

Getting her Junior Ranger badge in Gettysburg.

She was so excited. She has quite the collection and has learned so many things.

We then took some time to walk through the museum before they closed. We had about an hour.

Outside, with Abraham Lincoln.

Switching out the photographer. We closed the place down, so there were no other visitors to ask to take our picture...we tend to do that. It was an awesome two days up in Pennsylvania, we love it up here, and it was so great to see so many things that we've been studying in school with the children. It also brought back many memories of when we were planning to move here back in 2010. My, how things change.