Taking a Break...

Today I've taken a break from the sewing machine, but it wasn't until AFTER I finished all the churn dashes for my new quilt. This evening I plan to cut the alternate squares and get going on piecing the rows. This morning I took my daughters and one of my older daughter's friends into Philadelphia. This was a huge accomplishment for me. I'm not comfortable in the city, although over the past few months, as we've gone there more often, I'm getting better. Except for a few times between high school and college (I worked at a hotel in Philly as a temp then, and went in under great duress!), I've NEVER gone into the city by myself. Now, I know that Philly is not nearly as imposing as New York City (you should have seen the wreck I was when I had to go there myself! Hail a cab??? I had to have a native do it for me!), but to me a city is a city. They're all intimidating.

So, today we headed to the Speedline Station and got on the train to go to 8th and Market Streets. We came out of the train station and walked over to the stop for the Philly Phlash, which is a trolley which takes you to various points around the city. We took that to the Rodin Museum (second picture). After going through the museum (which is small, but so interesting!) I went out front to take a picture of "The Thinker", his famous statue. Of course, the trolley was getting ready to leave, so I didn't get the picture, just got on the trolley.

We took the trolley to Christ Church, which is the oldest Episcopal Church in the country and was the seat of the Episcopal religion in the colonies and as the country grew.

It was our national cathedral until they built THE National Cathedral in Washington DC. After hearing a little of the history, we wandered through the church and grounds. The we walked up Market Street to the Bourse building for lunch. From there we walked past Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell and made it back to the train station to head home. I was so proud of myself for overcoming my fears (which my family just laughs at!) and going into the city with the girls...it was such fun.

I had such a good time that my youngest and I are thinking about taking the train to the city, then the trolley to the Art Museum where we can pick up a trolley to the Philadelphia Zoo. We both want to see the new big cat exhibit...maybe next week!