10:30, July 7th, 2011:
We were in the jeep. Passing by the torn-up buildings, I know we're in the outskirts of Philly. For the past 30 min., I've been reading a book about Jamestown that Mom bought me. It's very good.
We parked into a government building and went walking. The center of Philly had been the same it was the first time: huge, beautiful, and fun. I don't know if I told you this or not, but while at Philly on the fourth, my awesome JVC video camera broke. The frame came off. Now, I video tape with three flips, one having 15 min., the next having 59:39, and the next 1:15. They should be pretty good 'til I get another camera.
Early in the afternoon, we went to the visitor's center, stamped our national park passports, and watched a movie. At 2:30, we were done with the movie on Independence. Dad tells us we have to go to the U.S. Mint, so we try to quickly exit the building. I complain we haven't had lunch yet. Nevertheless, we scramble to the U.S. Mint, go through security (no video/cameras allowed), board an escalator (which I was really scared going on), and then go on another escalator.We saw a long corridor in which there were many displays of coins. There were coins from the 1800's to Present, and colorful coins people made to commemorate a single person. It was cool.
Next, in the same corridor, was a glass observation deck. I saw long strips of metal that were being punched out into little blanks. Next, they stamp the circles of metal, putting the head of a president and the picture on the back - it depends on the coin. After that, they clean the coins and put them all on a conveyor belt. They are then put into sacks of 50 and sucked up a tube. Lastly, they are all shipped to banks and national treasuries. The greatest part about this experience is that we saw it all happening!
We went down yet another escalator and departed into the gift shop. I got a Philly Mint Bookmark! Yea for books!
After we visited The Mint, we went to Independence Hall. It was smaller than I expected, but it was still cool. The two parts of the hall were a courtroom for standing trial, and the actual room they signed The Constitution and The Declaration of Independence. It was cool. On the brochure, a picture showed a room with a blue trim and podium with a chair on it. When I came into the room, I saw that room. I could imagine with my eyes all the men signing the little paper, and a different few 11 years later signing The Constitution. It was breathtaking to see the very room our nation was born in.
Also, on the podium, was a certain chair. It had a sun that was cut off in the middle. The tour guide, as if reading my mind, told the audience that George Washington sat in the chair. After signing the Constitution, Benjamin Franklin told Washington that at the beginning of the revolution, Franklin was wondering if it was a setting or rising sun. Upon signing the Constitution, Franklin said to Washington,"I now know that it is a rising sun." In other words, he believed that America was rising. It's really cool that we live in this country. Most people don't think about it, but, things would not be the same if we didn't live in this country.
If you weren't in America, you wouldn't be free to make your own decisions. You also wouldn't have the freedom of religion, press, or speech. That's why I'm proud to live in the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave.
Later in the day, I was so hungry I couldn't speak. Rebecca was in the same condition. It was like dying. Rebecca and I had had a tiny breakfast and we didn't have lunch for 4 days. I was exhausted by a day of walking and sightseeing.
We stopped at a diner where they're specialty was Philly Cheese Steaks. I vigorously drank 2 waters and one Philly Cheese Steak. It was so meaty, with just the right amount of salt, and a stringy hot cheese that danced in my mouth. It was Paradise.
I arrived at the R.V., kicked off my shoes, turned on History International Channel, and watched a special on the Mysteries of Freemasons. About one week ago, while we were in Gettysburg, my friend Henry sent me an email telling me about the special. I put it on my calendar.
At the halfway point of the program, (10:00) I hit the hay. I didn't mean to go to sleep, but I was so tired it came over me. Oh well.
Right now we're driving to the land of Chocolate, Hershey, PA. It should be a tasty experience.
Down the road,
Andrew (P.S. Rebecca says hi too.)
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