I have had a love affair with Philadelphia for as long as I can remember. My first memories in my life can be recalled back to playing on the banks of the Schuylkill River during many rowing regattas. I would watch boats coast along the muggy river while fall leaves would colorize its shores. It’s an unpolished city and perhaps that’s why I like it; unpolished like myself. Somehow I feel comfortable in my own skin here. In my times here, I always feel like I somehow just missed it, only touching on the very surface that has caught my eye. Pockets of the city echo its colorful past and vibrant future. As a city, it manages to seamlessly integrate the old and the new, never boring it’s dwellers with mundane cookie cutter architecture. Rather, every turn even invites you to open your eyes and take in something exciting. More than it larger New York rival, Philadelphia welcomes art in every nook and cranny. Somehow it becomes a less formidable and more inviting place. More than 3000 massive murals grace the facades of its buildings and it has no social prejudice in deciding where the art belongs. No matter how wealthy or poor the neighborhood may be, art becomes it. Once again we came here for a sporting event. Rather than sitting on the banks of the river, today I observed from Kelly Drive, a Parisian like road emitting drama and majesty. It was designed to feel like the France’s Champs Elysees. What better a way to see this beautiful city than by running its marathon? The lucky thousands would run by the Liberty Bell and pound the pavement along streets storied in history. Each runner would witness grand statues along the way, view the famed Boathouse Row, awe over the decorated Victorian gates of America’s first zoo and finish along the formidable and gorgeous steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The miles would tick by because of a course that would mesmerize the senses. My hours here are limited to the blink of an eye. I must soon come back and scratch deeper into the surface. I leave desperately wanting to capture more. This city is the miracle of America at it’s very best. Ben Franklin Watches from High AboveWilliam Penn looks below.
4 Comments
Liz McCoy
11/21/2011 12:12:02 pm
We just went to Philly for the first time in October, and we really liked it too! We will definitely return. It is nice to see the streets crowded with runners instead of the wall to wall cars when we were there!! Love the pictures!
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11/21/2011 11:29:28 pm
As usual, great shots Jen. You certainly are a student of history. Sounds like you had a great time visiting with Ben and Betsy.
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11/22/2011 08:50:23 am
Loved old Ben with a boom box! Philly is great. We have a niece who lives there and works at the Union Club. Our oldest son lives in south Jersey about 30 minutes away so it will be an increasing part of our lives, and a nice one too!
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Ben Stully
11/25/2011 01:19:02 am
Thousands of people live in Philly, many of them have been there for years. It's a city in Pennsylvania that will be remembered in recent history. If any of you every find yourself there, send a post card to your loved ones. I think they sell them in some of the gift shops - not sure. Ask around.
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