Day 7 - Philadelphia to Allentown to Williamsport

Thursday July 6, 2017

Today was our final day in Philly.  According to plan, we decided to walk to the Museum of Art for Day two, then uber back to the hotel and get out of town.  We loaded the vehicle and checked out of the hotel around 9:30AM.  The weather was a slight drizzle. I found out later that the walk was about two miles, with was already taxing on our pained downtrodden feet over the past three days.  We did it though.  Gt was tired of walking and it showed in his attitude.  We got to the museum of art and it was truly amazing with some artwork that I thought I'd only be able to see in books.  Monet's, Cezanne's, Picassos, Van Gogh; you name it, it was there. I had to take some pics of the classics since pictures were allowed. After the exhibit we caught a waiting cab and headed back to the hotel.  See you later Philly, you were thoroughly enjoyed!

Could't resist asking GT what he thought this was

 
Since this trip was aimed as a theme to try and keep everyone happy, I decided it might be fun to stop in Allentown to see the America on Wheels museum, a two story museum designed to showcase how America transports itself on wheels, from Semi trucks, to Motorcycles, to bicycles, to horse carriages, to cars, to anything in between.   

The girls had shopping on their mind and did not want to see cars-I think everyone was museumed out at this point so, thinking Allentown was a decent town, told Jen to drive to City-center and get in some shopping/we would meet them in an hour. 

GT and I toured the museum which we both thought was pretty interesting.  I had no idea there were electric cars in the 20's, but thinking about it, with the advance of steam engines and electricity to run trains, it did not appear as far-fetched as I originally thought. We checked out the whole exhibit, reading everything to let the gals get some shopping time in.  We saw a prototype mustang from 1963

and another 64 1/2 convertible that was, for 50 years in a guys garage who drove it off the showroom floor after all the dealers had their runs in it.  17,000+ original miles, and not any paint added to it or anything. 

Also, since the gals did not go, I went ahead and bought me a trucker trucker hat.  MACK.  

 
There were multiple other exhibits that we thought were very interesting, including bike and motorcycle exhibits. 

A very cool place, but after an hour we were ready to contact the ladies to head to Williamsport. 

I sent Jen a text that we'd be ready in about fifteen minutes. Not a quick response. I called her and she sounded a little bit out of breath, either she was running or she was scared.  I started to rethink my decision as we did drive by a 'sketchy' area into town according to the kiddos.  All I could hear was the Billy Joel song running thru my mind.  I guess there is not much parking in Allentown either. Apparently Jen parked in an area where people have tattoos all over their body, neck, head, ears, eyes, etc.  She finally made it to the car and they picked us up about 10 minutes later.  It was not a fun experience for the ladies, but funny in aftermath.  So much for an Allentown visit.  

We got to Williamsport, and in classic sub style, we had to stop at Riverside subs to get a real Philly Cheesesteak. It satisfied, definitely. When we got there I suddenly remembered it was my auntie Kate's 60th birthday. I remember the 50th birthday billboard, which seemed like yesterday and a time when our kiddos were much easier to please.  Unfortunately this year, they were going to Atlantic City for concerts and such and wouldn't be back until Monday.  We told them we'd try to meet up with the Monday night for a snack in the driveway and to throw the ball to Stu. 

Vicki got home from work and we were able to catch up and hung out with her and Dave on the front porch until we went to bed around 10PM.  Relaxation ready for the rest of the trip.