Philly, Valley Forge & Movin' North . . .

Now, where were we?  Oh, yes, after our great scootin' time in Lancaster County, we were ready for - - - Philadelphia!!

Crossing the Schuylkill River, coming into the city!

We only had a few hours to spend here as we'd left Trixie "home" in the RV, parked at Valley Forge.  We drove the truck into the city center and headed straight for Independence Hall!!

A dramatic and entertaining National Park Service tour guide showed us around - stately old building, gorgeous woodwork - all restored to the original colors of the early days.  He called this the true birthplace of our nation because it's where  the Declaration of Independence was signed . . .

. . . and here's the room where the signing actually took place!

Just to the right of my head there?
The very chair used by George Washington!

Independence Hall

 And - what trip to Philly would be complete without stopping in to see  . . .

. . .  of course - The Liberty Bell!

We walked around the central part of the city there - narrow cobblestone streets, row houses and magnificent old buildings, much like in D.C., but many unfortunately now just sitting apparently unused.  Guess the city doesn't have the money the feds do for preserving history!

Delicious dinner at this historic place -
waiters & waitresses in "period" costume!

One of many little gardens in the city.

And Harold - peering into the cemetery

 for a look at Ben Franklin's final resting place!

Next day, Valley Forge!  We'd heard there was lots to see there and great bike paths!!  Unfortunately, after a quick but educational visit to the Visitor Center, Harold started feeling "poorly".

Leaving him in the RV to sleep off his bug, I pedaled off solo . . . . .

George Washington Memorial Chapel

Isaac Potts' House - Washington's Headquarters

during the 1977-1978 encampment of the Continental Army

Washington used this room for his office there.

It was actually a long, hot ride but I enjoyed every minute of it - even after I'd drank all my water and my camera battery went dead!!!  No more pictures of this place!

So the next day - today - another "four state day"!!  Woke up in Pennsylvania, destination . . . somewhere in Connecticut on our way to Boston!

Leaving Pennsylvania behind as we crossed the Delaware . . .

And on the other side . . .

"Welcome to New Jersey"

Rode the New Jersey Turnpike from one end of the state to the other.  Along the way we saw a huge oil refinery and the Newark skyline off to our left and then, on our right?  Staten Island with the Manhattan skyline behind! 

And we could see the Empire State Building! 

Looking across the Hudson River to Manhattan 

The traffic?  Not too bad, really, but pretty weird!!  Below you can see, we are moving up the Interstate 95 and on both sides of us, multiple lanes of high speed traffic moving past us in the opposite direction!!

And finally, here we go, crossing the Hudson on the George Washington Bridge into New York City!

This is a fake sign that I got off the internet.

There WAS NO "Welcome to New York" sign!

What does that mean?   IDK

When we got in to the actual City, OMG, the traffic picked up and, I swear, all the lanes got narrower!  But my old honey just rolled on through like it's something he does every day!  Just look at that smile . . .

And just as we were about to exit New York
the scenery suddenly changed!

Welcome to Connecticut!

Zipping along on I-95 in Connecticut - lots of beautiful scenes like the two here.

We came to rest tonight in picturesque Old Saybrook on the Connecticut coast - Camp Walmart!  This was one long day on Turnpikes and Interstates and we're ready to slow it down a bit.  Not exactly certain of the route we'll follow, but tomorrow night should find us at Wompatuck State Park, just a little south of Boston.