Atlantic City and Philadelphia

We headed into New Jersey with a stop at Rutgers University in New Brunswick.  We ate lunch at "R U Hungry" and had great sandwiches.  I had the Vastardi, which consisted of gyros and white sauce, french fries, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, lettuce, and tomato all on a roll.  Rebekah had the Darrell, which was chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks, marinara sauce, and french fries on a roll.  They were delicious!

the Vastardi

the Darrell

After such a filling lunch, we spent some time in Atlantic City.  First we stopped to see the Absecon Lighthouse. . . .

. . . . . then we strolled along the boardwalk, walked through Trump's Taj Majal Casino, and ate some salt water taffy.  Atlantic City is just like Las Vegas. only smaller and on the beach.

Atlantic City beach and pier

We next went to Margate to see Lucy, the elephant building, which is 6 stories tall.  It was quite a sight!

We spent a couple of days in Philadelphia next.  There was so much to see!  We started off with the famous Geno's Steaks vs. Pat's King of Steaks dispute over who makes the best Philly cheese steak sandwich.  We decided we liked them both the best!

Geno's Cheese Steak wit onions

Pat's Cheese Steak wit onions

We toured Independence Hall and had a history lesson review of the beginning of our country. 

where the Continental Congress met

We saw the Liberty Bell.

We went to the Philadelphia Mint to see how coins are made.  They also make medals (like the purple heart) and collectible coins.  It was a great tour!

We saw Benjamin Franklin's grave in the graveyard right next to the mint.  It was a plain site where people had thrown money on it. 

We went to Magic Gardens, an artistic tiled mosaic and folk art area covering half a city block.

We had an Italian hoagie at Sarcone's Deli, in the Italian Market area, made on their freshly baked bread, so delicious. 

We toured Edgar Allen Poe's house where he lived with his wife and mother-in-law.  He wrote a couple of his famous works in this house.

We had Bassetts Philly style Vanilla Ice Cream, and DiNic's famous Roast Pork, Sharp Provolone, and Broccoli Rabe Sandwich in the Reading Terminal Market.  Both are fantastic!  The ice cream was creamy and wonderful, and the sandwich was so good we almost forgot to take a picture of it!  We also got a sticky bun with nuts and raisins.  It was sticky, but full of cinnamon flavor, and yummy.

We headed to the Art Museum to see the Rocky statue and the famous steps, but we didn't run up them!

We finished our tour of Philadelphia at the Mutter Museum, which is located at the College of Physicians of Philadelphia.  There were many eerie displays of medical wonders there, and many physicians touring there.  It was quite interesting, and an unusual place to visit.

Next we headed to Valley Forge to see Washington's encampment there, and the huts where his troops stayed.

 We went to the Lancaster (which they pronounce Lancuster) area to take an Amish buggy ride.  We rode on a carriage through the farm area and learned about the Brethren, Mennonites, and Amish who live there.   

We went on a tour of Herr Foods next.  We saw pretzels, corn chips, tortilla chips, and potato chips being made, then got to taste warm, fresh from the machine, potato chips.  They were delicious!  At the gift store we bought several of their "oops bags" of chips in different flavors, and got a large bagful for only $4.  It was a great stop on our journey don't you think?