Return to the Motherland

We've just returned from long weekend in the States--New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and a very brief stint in New York (long enough to pay $8 toll to cross a bridge into NY then Oh Crap! Wrong rental car drop-off lot! and back over to NJ).

We arrived Thursday night, had a yummy dinner of chicken wings, BBQ chicken pizza, and more wings at UNO's then crashed out at the hotel. Adam loves chicken wings in the US as do I, the hotter the better!

Friday we took Grandma to New Hope, Pennsylvania, where sadly the mules had gone south for the winter so no barge ride. While we woke to snow (I'm noticing a trend whenever I travel) it melted off quickly and we had sun and blue skies most of the afternoon. There's a nice blend of museums, tchotchke shops, cafes and such. We stopped for a cuppa (2xEarl Grey, 1 almond for me) and Grandma educated Adam on local history, including Washington's crossing. Oh and I had my first attempt at parallel parking--although I've been corrected that my method does not meet the definition. MY definition is 'I parked parallel to the curb.' I also say why bother, anywhere worth going has valet!

Saturday we went to Princeton for lunch and the afternoon with the extended fam and Sunday we went into Philadelphia to meet my parents, in town for a conference. We did a quick historical walk including the Liberty Bell which I was just telling Luke about before we left.



I remember the bell being outside on Indepedence Mall when I was little, and oh yeah, you could touch it then too. Must be something Homeland Security-related, so glad they all searched my purse at each monument. I was impressed how they were able to pause in their conversations with each other long enough to rifle through my bag. I feel so much better knowing they, and the overweight, post-middle age guard in front of Independence Hall, are on the case. I guess it's a matter of doing something, no matter how useless and wasteful of taxpayer dollars, than doing nothing.

Ok enough this is not a political blog :)

Hope everyone is warm and well and has a Snuggie like me! Keep an eye out, I'm still working on editing the photos from the West Midlands Safari Park trip and will post soon.

XX