Living here in Allentown

Well not really, Allentown is about 50 minutes away, but the sign over the road outside my hotel room says Allentown, and the Billy Joel song "Living here in Allentown" is stuck in my head.

Today we traveled across the Keystone state and are situated just outside of Philadelphia for the night. It was anothe long day on the bus, but tomorrow we will really get into the sightseeing part of the trip. 

Today's tour was Valley Forge. Philadelphia was controlled by the British at the time, Valley Forgee (17 miles away) is where George Washington and the troops set up their winter encampment during the winter of 1777-1778. The highlights included Washington's house, the soildiers quarters (you will notice a BIG difference), and the Washington Cathedral. The cathedral was built in the early 20th century as a memorial to Washington and the continental army. Enjoy the following pictures. If you have questions about what we have seen, or are doing please leave them in the comments section below.

Tonight we went to Dave & Busters for fajitas and some arcade time. 

Movies watched so far - 5

Ferris Bueller's Day off, the movie I cannot remember, RV, Parental Guidance, Benchwarmers 

Overheard on the trip today: 

"I never imagined being able to do something like this, this is awesome."

Surprising fact of the day: 

While touring Valley Forge, we were getting off the bus at Valley Firge and way off in the distance was a very impressive looking building in the distance. I asked the guide what that was and her reply was: "That monestary looking building over there." "Yes" I replied, her answer was, "that's a juvenile school for delinquents."  

This is George Washington's House at Valley Forge, army quarters pic coming later. 

 The group in front of the Washingon Cathedral. 

Until next time, this is Big Y signing off. 

Script Ohio

We made it to our hotel in Hudson, Ohio, right off the turnpike. So far the only disappointment is the hotel does not have TRU TV so we are unable to watch the Badger Game, many will be able to watch on their iPads, so all is not lost. 

We hit very little traffic on our way through Chicago, so we made excellent time getting here. At a rest stop in Indiana we encountered a school group from Minnesota, we met up with them again at a rest stop in Ohio, and we're not surprised to find them staying at the same hotel. We have learned that they are also on their way to Philadelphia. 

Overheard on the trip today: 

"This is the first time I've set foot in a state other than Wisconsin" 

We have an early morning tomorrow, as we head through Pennsylvania and make our way to Valley Forge. 

Until next time, ON WISCONSIN!

-Big Y

On our way

We are on our way out east! With the exception of a few pit stops we will be spending a lot of quality time with the bus today. We will be making it to Hudson, Ohio today, which is located just south of Cleveland. The really good news is that we should be to our hotel in time to watch the Badgers play tonight! ON WISCONSIN! 

Make it a GREAT day

Big Y

 

With 5 days before we depart, here are 5 facts about Philadelphia and NYC!

Philadelphia
1. The US Mint in Philadelphia was built in 1792, and the first federal building built under the US Constitution.

2. Philadelphia is considered the Mural Capital of the U.S. with over 2,000 public murals throughout the city

3. The nations first library was founded here in 1731, by Ben Franklin

4. The basement of Independence Hall once served as the dog pound for Philadelphia

5. It was very hot in the summer of 1787 when the founding fathers met to discuss a new Constitution, however the windows of Independence Hall were kept shut, so others could not hear the discussion going on inside. 



New York City
1. New York City is comprised of 5 boroughs: Manhattan, Queens, Bronx, Staten Island, and Brooklyn.

2. New York City has 842 miles of subway track

3. The first Pizzeria was opened in NYC by Gennaro Lombardi in 1895

4. NYC was originally founded in 1625 by the Dutch West India company and called New Amsterdam. The English would gain control of the city in 1664. 

5. Connecting the boroughs of Brooklyn and Manhattan, the Brooklyn Bridge is one of the oldest suspension bridges in the United States. It was completed in 1883, 

Stay tuned for further updates. We depart at 6:30a on Sunday March 22nd, for this adventure!

 

12 Days until we depart on the Social Studies Philadelphia/NYC Trip!!!

Stay tuned for updates...