Leg 6: Philadelphia (Morimoto and Me!!!)

After we left central Pennsylvania, we headed towards the city of brotherly love, Philadelphia. I have never been there and was looking forward to having an "experience."

I think that Philadelphia is one of those unsung cities. Overshadowed by NYC and DC, it isn't talked about or a vacation destination. I totally could have spent more time there.

We ended up booking a pretty nice hotel in a nice location for a nice price. Courtyard Philadelphia City Center. It certainly was in the CENTER. Center of everything. It was pretty harrowing to drive through the streets with my trusty Google Maps. The GPS didn't mess up. I did. I continued to turn to early and then had to loop several blocks to get back. I got it on the third try. -sigh-

The valet is robbery at this location,  but after the trek to the hotel, I was more than happy to surrender my car to the valet guys. Cabs for us!

We immediately hopped a cab and beelined for the famous CHEESESTEAK area. This is the place that you see on the Travel Channel and Food Network. We wanted to try it on our own!

In Philly there are two serious contenders for cheesesteaks. Geno's and Pat's. They are on opposite corners and compete as the BEST in town. We got two cheesesteaks at Geno's, one with "wiz" and one with provolone. We then crossed the street and got two from Pat's. "Wiz" and provolone again. We cut each one up into four pieces and compared.

The winner is.................Geno's!!!! They have a better bread and moister meat product. Geno's was superior with "wiz" and provolone. This was a completely scientific experiment and I count it as "science" for Isabel for the day. Wonderful data collection!

While taking pictures, I looked down and thought this was cute...

Next, we headed back to the hotel and decided to check out the Reading Market. It was wonderful. A mix of different food vendors and deliciousness. I did have to buy some olive oil at The Tubby Olive. We also had to pick up some doughnuts and more beef jerky. YUM!

Huge pumpkin found!!! Guess the weight!

City view outside the market

We headed to the hotel to get the girls settled for the night. Mommy and Daddy dinner tonight!!!

For those of you who know, I am an exteme foodie. I love to cook, make new recipes, and try new restaurants. About a decade ago, when the first version of Iron Chef became popular, I was an avid watcher. I loved Sakai and his French-Asian fusion. Morimoto was the expert in sushi and seafood. Don't forget Kenichi with his Chinese fare!

When I heard about eight years ago that Chef Morimoto was opening a restaurant in Philadelphia, I was excited, but had no reason to go there... sad.

I wasn't giving up now! I was able to book a reservation to the restaurant and it was a couple blocks from the hotel!!

Chris and I dressed up and walked there for our 8:15 reservation. I was sooooo exited when we walked up to the place!

Poor Chris! He realized he was headed to a mainly sushi menu and doesn't like sushi. Actually, it wasn't that he didn't like sushi, it was that he was afraid to try it!

We chose to get the Chef's tasting menu. It was about 9-10 courses of small bites. We started off well with a tuna tatare that Chris loved!!! Most of the food was amazing and Chris only disliked the Sashimi course. 

The Maitre'd talked with us and we discovered that he was from Tampa! A fellow central Floridian. He sent us out an additional plate of scallop because we were Morimoto fans. 

Fancy!

Chris ordered an amazing tasting beer (Most of you know that I don't drink beer, but I would drink this! It tasted of hazelnut and was redolent of hoppiness.) that I had to keep the bottle. What a tourist I am!

This was one of the best culinary experiences of my life. I have been dreaming of going here and was so excited that I got to go!!! Thank you so much Chris!

The next day, we headed out on our history jaunt. First we headed to the Reading Market again and had brunch.

We took a cab to the liberty bell area and immediately hired a carriage driver for an hour tour of the city and it's historic sites. We apparently got a history teacher and he spent his time comparing how NYC, DC, and Charleston are VASTLY inferior in historic significance. It was hilarious and informative. Cici loved it. Isabel was... less than impressed.

Isabel was waiting for the BELL!!! 

Last year, when in school, Isabel had a monuments project. She came home complaining that she had seen every monument "except the liberty bell." I promised her that she would see it soon. I was very happy to bring her there less than six months later.

Last thing we did in the city was wander around and take some pictures. Everyone agreed that Philadelphia was awesome and we want more time there, but alas!!! It is time for NYC!!!

Leg 5: Central PA - Hershey's and Lancaster County

We left Baltimore and headed north-west to Harrisburg and immediately beelined for the town of Hershey. Just in time for cold front. Lows in the low-30's, high's in the low 50's. Brrrr.

I know that Cici knew what it was, but Isabel was confused all the way up to the entrance to the town. When she saw the theme park, kiss street lamps, and other signage, she became excited.

We first went to lunch at the Chocolate Avenue Grill. Everything we are there was delicious. I order the roast beef wrap, while the others ordered burgers. The best part was the hummus trio that was devoured by all in attendance.

After that we headed to the downtown museum. Since it was later in the day, we were snuck in to the Chocolate Lab a few minutes late, but we didn't miss much. We learned about the growing and harvesting of chocolate in several countries. We taste tested chocolate from several areas of the world, and then we created our own flavored candy bars.

Isabel dumped every available spice into her, which has made for a very spicy chocolate bar. She was left it for me to consume.

Next, we headed to World of Chocolate, on the Hershey property. There we found a chocolate wonderland. We participated in a packaging line for kisses. We then headed to the Candy Bar Creation Line. We each were able to digitally choose our filings and watch then head down the conveyor belt. After that we rode the Hershey ride, which is reminiscent of It's A Small World.

^^Hee-hee... Chris has to wear a beard net!^^

My chocolate bar on the conveyor

Last, but not least, we headed to the candy purchasing floor. If you think it was overwhelming before... bring two kids to TONS of candy for sale. We have POUNDS of kisses at the hotel...

The next day was "Mommy Day." Or, as I was calling it, "Time to go Amishing."

My father had recommended we head to Intercourse and Blue Ball (interesting names abound in Lancaster). Right off the bat, we stopped at a farmer's market that WAS AWESOME!!!

We purchased huge quantities of beef jerky, various cheese cubes, homemade bologna, fudge, and other treats. We snacked on these in the car as we cruised around the countryside.

^^Awesome Cauliflower^^

We stopped at two petting farms for the girls and allowed them to pet the caged animals (somewhat creepy) and then drove to a farm where quilts are sold.

The quilt farm was the best part of the day. It was a picturesque farm that one only imagines is in movies. A German Shepherd wandered up to our car to great us. The yard was filled with holstein cows. Heaven.

The girls gained permission to explore the farm and animals, while I looked through the quilts.

The quilts were extremely expensive, but all hand made. I hadn't splurged on myself yet this trip, so I bought one. YAY!

I think I could have definitely spent another day in this area, exploring the culinary delights, but alas! off to Carlisle!

In Carlisle, my Father recommended we visit the base he was stationed at while he was in the army. I had looked it up online, and knew that there was an outside park with military equipment to look at. By the time we got there, the museum had closed, but the park was open to visitors.

Cici, at this point, cold and tired, opted to stay in the car.

Isabel proceeded to make the rounds and pose with all of the equipment. It took 45 minutes, but it was fun.

Next stop!!! Philadelphia!

Leg 3 & 4: What?!? No government shut down??? Washington DC/ Baltimore

Williamsburg is only two hours from my brother's home in the D.C. suburbs. We arrived earlier than expected and chilled out on the couch for hours.

At this point, we were exhausted. We vegged.

The Government got it's act together just before we arrived.

I know... collective "awwww!"

I have protests planned. I was going to host a poster making night. We were going to participate in the government process by being active citizens and utilizing our right to gather... alas! This was not to happen.

Instead, we grabbed dinner in Falls Church (Vietnamese of course!) and then did an evening round of the monuments.

We did get out of the car for the new WW2 memorial. It was amazing! Isabel practiced her reading with each of the engraved plaques. We had a lesson in being respectful in war memorials. She learned it quickly and beautifully. I was quite proud.

The next day Megan (my sister-in-law) and I headed to The Four Seasons DC for a luxurious spa day. 

We started at breakfast in which Megan proclaimed that THIS is the best thing she ever placed in her mouth.

This is a CRONUT. It is a cross between a doughnut and croissant filled with cinnamony custard. 

We enjoyed an amazing omelette filled with boursin cheese and crab. We also had a salmon dish with miso soup. Everything was amazing!!!

^^ See all the mirrors in the Four Seasons bathroom? ^^

We headed off to the spa to enjoy the facilities. We booked a facial and massage. My facial was great! Megan wasn't too sure if she liked her facial, but loved the arm and foot massage.

Next, we were in for massages, but ACK! Megan's masseuse left due to a family emergency. 

Megan has never experienced a massage before, so I WAS NOT taking her massage. Megan wasn't going to let me go without. We worked out two 30 minute massages. YAY!!!

After our massages, we spent time in the whirlpool and the other facilities.

Our last day was spent shopping, cooking, and pumpkin carving. I was quite impressed with the ingenuity of my brother's foster daughter, who took my salmon and made a sandwich out of it.

Isabel broke out her face paint kit again to set up Jackson with some army face.

Baltimore

Next, we spent one night in Baltimore. 

Yes, we stayed inside the Inner Harbor... Apparently anywhere outside is a war zone.

We didn't see anything particularly unsavory other than a few more homeless individuals than usual.

We DID see something awesome! The National Aquarium!!!

I was very impressed with the presentation format of the aquarium. It was dark, so sorry about some of the pictures...

Then off for some famous Maryland crab!!! Yes! My favorite!

Isabel's legs gave out, so Cici helped us get to the bus.

 

Public transporation >>>>>>>

Now, the good stuff!

We really enjoyed Baltimore and would have loved to spend more time, but ONWARD!!!