Much of the dockside in NJ and Philadelphia is derelict,including this building with the tower boasting a stained glass window showing the HMV dog and phonogram.
Monday, December 25, 2006
NJ Waterfront looking back at Philadelphia
And then we crossed to New Jersey and the wonderful Aquarium, this is the view looking back to Philadelphia, our hotel is probably by my left shoulder.
Phili_shipbuilders
The maritime museum also has and active ship repair section, used to repair and rebuild historic craft, it is possible to stand on a vistitors gallery and watch real craftsman at work.
liberty bell
And of course a lot of American history was formed here, so a great deal is made of the constitution and the 'Libert y Bell'. A shame that is was made in England and then cracked.
not_our_hotel
The waterfront had an excellent maritime museum with the history of shipping around Philadelphia. There are also a couple of historic ships, we thought the narrowboaters amongst you would like this bathroom.
typical transport
We didn't actually use one of these, but on our last day here (saturday) they had all come out on the streets looking for the xmas shoppers to take a ride.
street of narrow houses
Many of the original house of this historic place were built around 1800 and as houses were taxed by width, they are built narrow and tall, imagine this street 200 hundred years ago, with coaches down the middle., today it is just wide enough for one car (american) between the posts.
Benjamin Franklin Bridge
And so on to Philadelphia.
To a hotel right on the waterfront - between the I95 highway and Christopher Columbas Blvd. With the Benjamin Franklin bridge and railroad just feet away! Very interesting, we got used to the noise after the first night, and it was certainly in a very convenient place
To a hotel right on the waterfront - between the I95 highway and Christopher Columbas Blvd. With the Benjamin Franklin bridge and railroad just feet away! Very interesting, we got used to the noise after the first night, and it was certainly in a very convenient place
Monday, December 18, 2006
xmas police horse
And just to show there is a lighter side to Washington, this was one of the many varieties of policeman we saw.
In cars, on sidecar motorcycles, and on pedal bike (going like the wind).
In cars, on sidecar motorcycles, and on pedal bike (going like the wind).
Jefferson Memorial
The whole of washington seems to be a memorial to something, great people who shaped the nation, or those who fought defending it.
The words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, have shaped American ideals. Today, many of these impressive, stirring words adorn the interior walls of his memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all citizens of the United States and the world.
The words of Thomas Jefferson, some written more than 200 years ago, have shaped American ideals. Today, many of these impressive, stirring words adorn the interior walls of his memorial. The Thomas Jefferson Memorial stands as a symbol of liberty and endures as a site for reflection and inspiration for all citizens of the United States and the world.
north american native mask
Exhausted from the science we went to look at the Museum of the American Indian, a startling new building full of thousands of old and new artifacts. Assembled at the turn of the twentieth century by wealthy New Yorker George Gustav Heye (1874–1957).
1903 wright brothers plane
This day December 17th is a very significant day in the history of aviation.
In 1903 - The Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard, and here we were looking at the actual machine!
Not a replica but the 'real thing' - slightly mended of course after all these years.
In 1903 - The Wright Flyer became the first powered, heavier-than-air machine to achieve controlled, sustained flight with a pilot aboard, and here we were looking at the actual machine!
Not a replica but the 'real thing' - slightly mended of course after all these years.
as landed on the moon
We did the recommended 'bus' tour on Saturday taking all the sights including more museums than I care to think about, memorial to everything the US have dabbled in over the years and Arlington Cemetery.
Sunday we braved the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Very interesting to get a feel for the actual size of the rockets, space capsules and Lunar Lander, seeing pictures never really gives the real idea of the scale of things. Makes you realise how brave these people are.
Sunday we braved the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum.
Very interesting to get a feel for the actual size of the rockets, space capsules and Lunar Lander, seeing pictures never really gives the real idea of the scale of things. Makes you realise how brave these people are.
white house
Friday saw us on the road for six hours travelling up the Interstate 95 to Washington DC, excellent if boring road.
Thanks to superb map reding by Mary we only had to drive twice around the one way system in the friday night rush hour, before reaching our hotel.
Very centrally placed only two blocks from the White House.
Thanks to superb map reding by Mary we only had to drive twice around the one way system in the friday night rush hour, before reaching our hotel.
Very centrally placed only two blocks from the White House.
Fire Department
The most exciting happening during our short stay (apart from the train that is) was the local fire engine out to get coffee!
AMTRAK
Strange place, apart from a short rush hour it’s a bit like St Albans on a wet Sunday - no signs of life. I thought I saw a train, but shortly after I took its photo it backed away from the station again, perhaps it was shy?
The street is lit by thousands of bulbs in the trees at night, just all life has moved out to the 'Mall' which as with all such out of town developments has done nothing for the centre of town shops.
The street is lit by thousands of bulbs in the trees at night, just all life has moved out to the 'Mall' which as with all such out of town developments has done nothing for the centre of town shops.
Fayetteville Market House
And so we landed in the USA on 13th, Alison collected us and left us in a downtown Fayetteville Hotel, right opposite the City Hall and Police Station! The Market House was built in 1832 on the site of the old State House, which was destroyed by fire in 1831.
It was within the walls of the State House that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1789 and chartered the University of North Carolina. Also here North Carolina ceded her western lands to form the state of Tennessee. Built on traditional 'English' lines.
It was within the walls of the State House that North Carolina had ratified the Constitution of the United States in 1789 and chartered the University of North Carolina. Also here North Carolina ceded her western lands to form the state of Tennessee. Built on traditional 'English' lines.
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