What?!? It's my PARENTS! I'm so glad they came out to Philadelphia for a visit, and for my graduation ceremony. I think, and they would likely agree, that their visit was FUN, but very exhausting. A couple days in D.C., a couple of days exploring Philadelphia, an entire day of graduation festivities, and a trip to the Jersey shore. Whew! I'm exhausted just recounting all that we accomplished.
They flew in on a Wednesday night, and Thursday morning we drove down to D.C. My parents have never been to the East coast, and they made it clear that they would rather spend time in D.C. than NYC, given the two options. They made a wise choice. Attractions in D.C. are FREE, whereas anything you see/do in NYC is expensive.
Day one in D.C. consisted of walking to all of the monuments, and visiting Arlington National Cemetery.
Clark and I have visited D.C. a number of times, and we've never heard or seen so many helicopters flying overhead. We learned later that evening that Prince Harry had arrived so perhaps all the commotion was due to his arrival?
Clark resting his "dogs" at the Jefferson memorial.
Two things on my Dad's bucket list were to see the Washington Monument and visit JKF's grave. We saw both, but unfortunately BOTH were under construction/renovation. Ugghhh, maybe next time both sites will be completed and unobstructed?!
I love visiting Arlington National Cemetery. Of course it's incredibly heart-breaking to gaze upon rows of white headstones that seemingly never end, wondering about the person each headstone represents. But I feel such humility and peace when I'm there, and each time it makes me appreciate even more the sacrifice of others on my (our) behalf.
DC day two: The National Gallery of Art, National Museum of the American Indian, National Air and Space Museum (Mom and Dad), a walk around the Capitol, terrible traffic, and a yummy BBQ rib dinner the Baltimore Tobler home.
An El Greco piece. I came to love his artwork during Spanish class in high school. I didn't really retain the language, but I can still recall the Spanish artists we learned about.
Another El Greco...Christ cleansing the Temple.
My favorite artist ever: Edgar Degas' Four Dancers and Before the Ballet. Maybe it's because I feel I should have been a dancer that I love his realist paintings of dancers.
Some Van Gogh's.
Taking a break...it was a hot day to be walking around D.C.
Clark had to work Saturday and Sunday, so we explored nearly ALL of the downtown Philadelphia attractions without him, as well as Valley Forge. I didn't take many photos, mainly because I've taken pictures of these sites several times over.
Saturday we took the trolley over to Love Park and Game Pieces plaza. The water in the fountain was dyed purple for some reason. The we walked to Macy's (the old Wanamaker building) to see the world's largest pipe organ. From there we walked through the Reading Terminal market on our way to Chinatown for lunch. Then on to the Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Christ Church, Ben Franklin Court and his grave site, and stopped for a sundae at the Franklin Fountain.
Ben Franklin's grave at the Christ Church Burial Ground.
Walking to Penn's Landing.
Sunday we drove out to Valley Forge. We were able to go into George Washington's house, and we learned that the stair railing is the original from Washington's time.
Monday was graduation. Finally. Rubbed shoulders with the likes of Joe Biden, Denzel Washington, and Laura Bush. Maybe not, but we did have the opportunity to hear talks by Joe Biden and Laura Bush, and saw Denzel who was in the crowd at commencement supporting is son who also graduated.
Clark didn't have his telephoto since we weren't sure exactly how much security would allow through, but Denzel is the guy in the grey suit standing up in the center of the photo.
Joe Biden waving to the crowd, right behind the lady in the red regalia.
Joe Biden speaking. He reassured ALL of us that he could totally relate to the middle class and how hard it will be for some Wharton school graduates to scrape by on $150,000 a year, but that they can persevere and do it. I may or may not have made up that last part.
The dean of the School of Nursing asking its graduates to stand. I'm in there, somewhere in front of the blue caps.
Post commencement. My Dad was freezing. He didn't bring a jacket with him and they sat in the shade in inside the stadium. My Mom barely kept her eyes open in this photo. Thank goodness. We only have this one!
Clark's freezing, too, but at least he has on a longer sleeved shirt. Aww, my husband is so cute!
My friend Andrea and I. As her husband once said, we wouldn't have gotten through the program without each other. True that.
After a reception luncheon at the School of Nursing building, we walked to a different building downtown for the School of Nursing ceremony. On our way we stopped for some photos with the Philly skyline.
At the Kimmel Center, Greta was on her best behavior during the graduate procession.
Walking by and so happy to see that Kyle, Kim, Jan, and the kids had joined my parents and Clark! Thank you all for being there! This photo also reminds me that Clark's photography skills need to be refined.
Laura Bush spoke at the School of Nursing graduation. After her speech, she didn't waste any time and immediately exited out a side door. And her assistant had to come back in and grab some of her essential items that she had forgotten at her seat. Jan got some amazing photos of this ceremony with her telephoto, and I'm pretty sure that Ms. Bush is looking directly at Jan in one. Check them out
here.
Finally...some closure!
We all reconvened back at our apartment after the ceremony for some croissant sandwiches, watermelon, veggies, chips, and Costco's amazing red velvet cake. If you haven't had it, you are missing out.
If only Kyle's feet weren't in the background of this photo. Greta and Georgie were enjoying some quality sister time.
Then Jan made me dress up in full regalia since I hadn't had any photos taken with my cap and gown. I felt a little awkward, since the moment had passed a few hours before. But I obliged because she's such a great mother-in-law.
Tuesday, we drove out to Ocean City, just south of Atlantic City.
Had ourselves some good Kohr's custard and then a mediocre-at-best lunch during senior hour at the Crab Trap Restaurant. It wasn't officially senior hour, but the four of us were the youngest in the restaurant by years.
Driving around, we almost passed Lucy, the World's "largest" elephant. While looking for shells on the beach and wetting our feet in the ice-cold Atlantic, we missed our opportunity to climb up to the top of old Lucy (i.e. the gate was locked). Maybe next time.
I hate to use this cliche, but it was a whirlwind of a visit! I'm so happy my parents came out to Philadelphia to experience a little of what the East coast has to offer. I love you guys so much and do hope you'll make the trip again at some point. And maybe next time, we'll buy Mom her own Red Velvet cake since she liked it so much. Incentive?? I think so.
