Friday, September 16, 2016

Raleigh, North Carolina 9/16/2016

Raleigh was a good stop over point on our way home.  We are planning to be home around Sunday. This is our last post for our summer 2016 travels.  While a little up in the air at the moment, right now we expect we will be traveling and blogging again around April 2017.  This has been an incredibly fun trip and Newfoundland was especially fun.  To our regular followers, and those that are new too, thanks for sharing in our adventures and travels and we hope you join us again next year.

Our last post is short - The North Carolina State Capitol in Raleigh,North Carolina. The capitol building was completed in 1840 at a cost of $533,000 (3 times the state gross income at the time). Included in the capitol building is Antonio Canova's statue of George Washington (Not your typical George Washington Statue for sure). We also visited within the capitol the General Assembly, The State Legislature, the State Library and the State Geologist's office.  Compared to the many capitols we have visited, this one was somewhat simple.  That said, we were still glad to have had the opportunity to visit it and we had an incredible Creole lunch close by.

North Carolina State Capitol
Statue of George Washington by Canova
North Carolina State Capitol
General Assembly
North Carolina State Capitol
State Library
North Carolina State Capitol
State Legislature
North Carolina State Capitol
State Geologist's office
North Carolina State Capitol



Richmond, Virginia 9/14/2016

We began our exploration of Richmond Virginia at their state Capitol.  The Capitol Building was designed by Thomas Jefferson and stands as the oldest operating legislator in the Western Hemisphere - The General Assembly, first established as the house of Burgesses in 1619. House of Burgesses  Completed in 1788, Jefferson modeled his design after the ancient Roman Temple, Maison Carree in Southern France. Roman Temple  It is one of only 12 capitols in the United States without an external dome. On our tour we learned how money was not readily available to build what was envisioned.  Because of this, the building is actually Virginia bricks covered in smooth stucco. To handle their growing needs, today one enters the capitol through an extension building built at the bottom of the stairs.  There is a very large extension, built entirely underground that after walking through this extension one is at the base of the front door of the old Capitol. We thought this was a creative extension, and this link shows the entrance to that extension. Extension Entrance This was really a beautiful Capitol and well maintained.

Next to the Capitol is the old City Hall, completed in 1894.  It is a beautiful building and quite unusual inside. Not open to tours, it was still a fun building to peek into the entryway.

One block from the Capitol we visited the St. Paul's Episcopal Church (completed 1845).  Both Robert E. Lee and Jefferson Davis worshiped here. The Tiffany Stained glass windows are incredibly beautiful and when we visited the sanctuary it was filled with the organist's creations. 

We also stop for a quick visit to Cathedral of Sacred Heart, completed in 1905.  This was yet another beautiful church.

We finished up the day by visiting the the 100 acre Victorian estate, the Maymont.  James and Sally Dooley completed their mansion in 1893.  Named the Maymont after Sally's maiden name May, and Mont for Mountain.  The Dooleys lived in the home for 30 years, had no children, and all the furnishings are original and beautiful. The grounds are beautiful as well.  The grounds include an Italian Garden with pergola and water fountains and a most beautiful Japanese garden with a 100 year old Japanese Maple tree, a 45 foot waterfall, torii gate and rock gardens.  More on the Dooleys can be read at : Dooley

Virginia State Capitol
Marble Statue of George Washington
1785-1792 by Jean Antoine Houdon
Virginia State Capitol
The House of Representatives
Virginia State Capitol
The Senate
Virginia State Capitol
Old City Hall
Richmond, Virginia
Old City Hall
Richmond, Virginia
Old City Hall
Richmond, Virginia
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
St. Paul's Episcopal Church
Richmond, Virginia
Cathedral of Sacred Heart
Richmond, Virginia
Cathedral of Sacred Heart
Richmond, Virginia
Sled in Carriage House
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Butler Quarters
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont
Richmond, Virginia
Maymont Japanese Gardens
Richmond, Virginia


Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 9/11-12/2016

We are less than 1000 miles from home, and we are looking forward to our arrival. We enjoyed a couple of days in Philadelphia.  Our first observation was that one has really never had a Philly Cheese Steak until they have had one in Philly.  Not 100% sure how they do this so much better, but guessing it is the seeded bun, toasted, and the cheese melted prior to adding anything else. Just a personal opinion.

Our first stop, was somewhat of a downer, but, we believe in seeing life as it has happened, so bear with us.  We began our first day at the Eastern State Penitentiary. This penitentiary first opened in 1829. It is one of the first confinements that recommended solitary confinement in order to accomplish 'reflection'. The prison closed in 1971.  Interestingly enough, at it's closure, isolation was later used as a punishment. They have done a good job of showing what it was like at different points in time while also allowing a natural aging/deterioration of the rest. While a bit of a downer, it is well recommended if you visit this area.  

We walked our toes off our first day but saw a lot.

We began our US History tour by first picking up tickets to visit Independence Hall followed by taking a short walk through the grave yard where Benjamin Franklin is buried. There seems to have become a tradition of throwing coins on his grave. 

Independence Hall is where both the Declaration of Independence and the US Constitution were debated. The building was completed in 1753 and is original.  On our tour we saw the Assembly Room which contains the actual chair that George Washington sat in, the Supreme Court Room (note the cage for the defendant to stand in), and also the Senate. We also visited Congress Hall, a few steps away. Congress Hall is where the Congress met from 1790 - 1800 (prior to Washington D.C. being the Capitol) and it is also where both Presidents Washington and Adams were inaugurated.

We finished off our first day by visiting the Liberty Bell.  The Liberty Bell summoned the Pennsylvania Assembly to meetings.  While there is no evidence that it actually rang on July 4, 1776,  it was and continues to be held up as an important symbol proclaiming freedom in our country including ending slavery and giving Women the right to vote.

Our second day was mainly dedicated to touring the Philadelphia City Hall.  This City Hall was planned by William Penn 200 years prior to completion in 1901.  The construction of the buildings took 30 years, and because of that, we noticed some changes in the architectural styles used  in various locations in the various buildings.   At completion, the buildings cost almost 25 million dollars in 1901. The building also includes over 250 sculptures and the detail at every turn is quite impressive.  Our 2 hour tour was fascinating.

With 14.5 acres of floor space and 700 rooms, this city hall remains the largest municipal building in the United States.  It is also the World's largest Masonry structure, something I could have gone without knowing as we headed up over 7 stories to the top of its tower.  Being told that the walls were bowing in the very early 1900's and that they built wider concrete bases (Not reinforced), did not help at setting my mind at ease either.  But I really wanted to see the city from a view that just is not possible on the ground. So, even though I really hate heights, I  pushed my limits and was glad that I did.  The view was spectacular. 

Across the street is a HUGE Macy's store.  but what is most unique about this Macy's is that it is the home for the Wanamaker Organ.  This organ with 28,500 pipes is the largest playable instrument in the world and play it they do, every day at noon.  It is really quite impressive and for those interested, more information on this beautiful instrument can be read at: wanamakerorgan We were told that at Christmas time not only do they do large concerts but that these are accompanied by an impressive light show too.

We finished off our second day in Philadelphia's China Town.  We watched as our cook 'pulled' our noodles with ease, by hand, from a clump of dough and yes, if you are wondering, the noodles do taste a whole lot better!  Our visit to Philadelphia was so much more than we ever imagined.

Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary Model
Note from the central guard station, the guard could
see down all of the cooridors
Tunnel One
Eastern State Penitentiary
Eastern State Penitentiary
Refurbished Cell
Eastern State Penitentiary
Al Capone's Cell
Eastern State Penitentiary
Famous 'Rocky Steps'
Rocky
 Benjamin Franklin Grave
 Independence Hall
Assembly Room
Independence Hall
Chair George Washington sat in for the signing
of the Declaration of Independence.
Assembly Room
Independence Hall
Supreme Court Room
Independence Hall
The Senate
Independence Hall (Second Floor)
Congress Hall
The Liberty Bell
Fountains outside City Hall In Philadelphia
Loved the Reflections
Having Fun
Fountains outside City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
City Hall In Philadelphia
Philadelphia as seen from the top of the City Hall Tower
in Philadelphia (Over 500 feet in the air)
Philadelphia as seen from the top of the City Hall Tower
in Philadelphia (Over 500 feet in the air)
Wanamaker Organ inside the Macy's Store
Noodle Pulling
China Town Philadelphia
Wow this was good!
Our Fresh Pulled Noodles.
China Town Philadelphia