U.S Roadtrip: PA is for Pennsylvania (Philadelphia)

Leaving DC heading to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Just for a couple-of-hours-stop since it was on the way and we wanted to reach New York before bedtime. Philadelphia has so much history and I have learned so much during our stops on this road trip. The challenge now is to remember it...

Our first encounter with a Double-Decker bridge

Our first stop in Philadelphia was the Liberty Bell, which is an iconic symbol of American independence, located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Once placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell today is located in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park. The bell was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from the London firm of Lester and Pack, and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof", a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10). The bell first cracked when rung after its arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell. In its early years, the bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens about public meetings and proclamations. [text taken from Wikipedia]

The Liberty Bell... and the crack :-)

Next stop Independence Hall, one of the most important historical building in America. This is where the Declaration of Independence and the U.S Constitution were debated and adopted.

Independence Hall

From the other side of the building

And from a distance...

Marlee, Noah and Benjamin Franklin :-)

Last historical stop the grave of Benjamin Franklin.

And a cultural, or maybe gastronomical, stop - a traditional Philly Cheese steak sandwich!!! One of Alex's absolute favorite foods!!

U.S. Roadtrip: Washington D.C.

The Capital!!! We actually stayed at a camping ground in Virginia since D.C. is so small, but we spent most of our time in the capital.

DAY 1

Alex had work in the morning so we dropped him off at a Mc Donald's downtown while we visited the Capitol Building where congress sits, which includes house of representatives and the senate. After that we picked Alex up and did more tourist stuff :-)

The ducks had their own entrance and exit to the fountain/pond in front of the capitol building

Some cute kids I found in front of the Capitol building. Lol!

The Capitol Building

Same building :-)

The bible museum was our next stop.

They had a copy of bibles in all printed languages. Find the Swedish one!

Kids' corner. Daniel in the Lions den.

Just a nice building :-) Probably important but I don't know.

The Washington monument which unfortunately was closed so we could not go in and up. 

Washington Monument

Outside the Lincoln Memorial

And inside :-)

In front of one of his speeches (I think :-)

Outside again. The Washington Monument can be seen in the little water that is left in the "pond"

In front of the National World War II Monument

DAY2
More monuments and one estate!

The Jefferson Memorial

Let's learn about President George Washington!

The home

Nowadays people do business while playing golf...

Gives you an idea how well the Americans fought

DAY3

So fun - Spy museum and money printing!!

The spy museum was a lot of fun but not much to take photos of.

Hanging above the city for at least 60sec. He did it!!!

Noah did good but did not reach the 60sec

Just another family picture...

Jefferson memorial in the background

Marlee's favorite place, the money printing press - Bureau of Engraving and Printing. We were not allowed to take any pictures inside, during the guided tour, so we don't have many pictures from this either.

Non cut bills for sale. Real money but more like a poster. Marlee wanted it so badly!!

Our last day in Washington, or more correctly Gainesville, VA, we actually just stayed at the campground and got some things done. There were several kids living in campers at this campground and our kids played with them every minute we spent there. They rode their bikes and explored the woods. Just like kids used to do. 

"Decorating" the back of our trailer

[This note has been added later because i forgot and I wanted to have this here "for the record". The Sunday (June 2) we were in Virginia/D.C. we decided to go to McLean Bible Church where David Platt is one of the pastors. I have listened to him online and like what he has to say so it was exciting to be able to go to his church. It was the biggest church I have ever been to! We were very late so we almost decided to go to the service after the one we planned to go to. However, we finally decided to be late and not to go later, to give us more time in D.C. after. Later that day we heard that Trump had come to the same church, the service after ours, the one we almost went to. He doesn't normally go there so that was a coincidence :-) ]

U.S. Roadtrip: Richmond, VA

Going north again and a new speech for Alex in Richmond. We stayed in a house outside in a beautiful neighborhood with a great playground.

You need a big pencil to document big ideas!!

The next day we headed towards the capital, Washington D.C. but before leaving Richmond we drove downtown to see Saint John's Episcopal Church which has an important role in the American history (see below).

Pretty bridge we passed on the way downtown

Inside the church where Patrick Henry held his speech

The church in the background

U.S. Roadtrip: VA is for Virginia (Chesapeake)

Our first and longest stop in Virginia was in Chesapeake, a place with lots of history. It was the first English Settlement in the U.S., named Jamestown. We stayed with a very nice family with several grand children so lots and lots of toys, too :-)

The first day we were all taken to Jamestown settlement which is a build up replica of the original settlement but not at the exact same spot. We had a guided tour and learned a lot about the settlers but also the Indians and Pocahontas.

Gabriel found a bug/friend, a potato beetle

All the states' flags outside the entrance

Notice the Swedish settlers!!

Unfortunately, Marlee got a really bad tooth ache during our stay here and I took him to the dentist. He ended up having to pull his tooth. Luckily it was a baby tooth. It will not be his last health issue during this trip...