Philly Stay-cation, 2017

Jackie went to a convention in Dallas, Texas. I went Karen's house. So began Philly Stay-cation July 2017! My tenure as a flip phone owner is over. I have a new Android with a camera that takes selfies. My grandchildren were there for the first three days. My children visited. This stay-cation was different from last year's. This year Karen was off for the summer, and I didn't fix anything. I played!

The activities were plentiful. The kids painted birdhouses, and Karen was the last to finish. Brian visited that day. Jeffrey listened to music just like his Grandpop! We went to a park with floor fountains. Of course, there was a skyline in the distance. Everything was good!

We visited Spruce Street Harbor Park at Penn's Landing. There were hammocks to try, giant toys to play with, history, and beautiful scenery to look at. Across the river you could see where the 76ers practice. The USS Olympia and the Moshulu were there. Its been years since I've seen them.

Karen thought it would be fun to see a movie at City Hall. The film would be Beauty and the Beast. We got there and brought chairs and blankets and parked ourselves. After a few minutes, the heat was unbearable. After a few more minutes, there were people in front of us sitting on tall chairs. People were talking, and there was faint sound from the projector. Long story short, There would not be a movie for us. What we did was go over to the floor fountains. The kids loved it and it was cool enough to enjoy standing and seeing the lights on the trees and seeing City Hall. Everyone had a blast!

Sunday brunch was delicious. Eggs, pancakes, potatoes, bacon, and everything! The family was there! After the meal, it was time for the little munchkins to go home. It was sad to see them go, but what memories!

On Mifflin Street, there is a building called Bok. It used to be a vocational school. Now it is a bar on the top floor of the building. You can see the city and Camden from the bar. I was mesmerized looking at the skylines and the tops of the houses. It behooved me to take a selfie on my new phone!

Jackie was delayed in a layover in Chicago due to the weather. The stay-cation was supposed to end on Sunday evening. Jackie arrived Tuesday morning. A bonus Sunday evening and Monday for me! Tiring day for Jackie...

 Passyunk Avenue has been revived in parts with restaurants and stores, and the sides of the buildings beautified with murals.

It was the next morning. I got up at six o'clock and made some coffee and sat at the table and chairs on the front of the house.  Peaceful! Reading, drinking my coffee, and not ready for the day!

There is a bench and coffee table in the backyard built by Karen for me to relax after I am finished with the front! 

The fog was terrible in the morning. The skyscrapers looked like they were a smoking mess until the sun peered.

Finally, we went to Independence Mall and looked around. The Liberty Bell is one my favorite attractions. I have a new phone and it behooved me to take a selfie, again!

Where do all the hippest meet?

We finished with Independence Mall and went to South Street.

We strolled and looked at all the markets, shops, and Jim's Steaks. Huge Cheese Steaks with onions and mushrooms - the diet will have to wait. Wow! Surrounding the place were autographs of hundreds of stars that were there over the years, like Tony Bennett, Halls and Oates, Billy Joel, Peter Paul and Mary, James Taylor, and Pat Sajak. 

In 1963, the song South Street was a hit. The record and cover were on display. I remember it from that time, but I haven't been to South Street until now.

Where do all the hippest meet?

South Street, South Street!

Off South Street, there was a thrift store named Philly AIDS Thrift. There were thousands of CD's! I have to go back and look at all the CD's I haven't looked at! Evening Scrabble was a nice way to end the day and unfortunately, the Philly Stay-cation...

Family, food, selfies, pictures, music, activity.

Another Stay-cation, please!