Easton, Pennsylvania

(Actual date of visit: April 14, 2011)

Before heading to NYC, we made a detour to Easton, Pennsylvania home of the Crayola Crayon Factory. It was a fun little side trip to break up the drive. Although, one could argue that it really isn't a factory. They have a demonstration to show you how they make crayons but other than that it's really a place to play with all of the crayola products and learn the history of crayola. All in all it was fun. Too bad it is so far away from home. It was be a really fun place to have a kid's birthday party.

Thanks for being a good sport Adam and posing with the kids!

The total number of crayons made to date on the day of our visit.

1,500 pounds, 15 feet long, 16 inches in diameter

There was an area where you could "paint" with liquid wax. Before you were allowed to enter the exhibit, a nice lady told us the rules. Adam, Kaitlyn, Andrew and I were going in together waiting patiently for our turn. She turned to the four of us and looked each of us over and said, "Children 5 and under are not allowed in this area." She actually paused, as if to give us time to 'fess up to being under 5 years old, and then she went on with her spiel.

I looked at Adam like is she serious? My kids haven't looked like they were five since they were 2 1/2 years old!

Our wax masterpieces. Are you old enough to be there Adam?

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

(Actual date of visit: April 12 & 13, 2011)

Originally, we were suppose to visit New York City and Philadelphia on the first leg of our trip (way back in September/October of 2010). Since Kaitlyn hurt her foot (check out the old post, "Houston We Have a Problem" for details) we decided to skip these to cities and swing back to check them out another time.

While we were home, we took a short road trip to Philly and then NYC over spring break. Our friend Adam, who house sits for us when we are gallivanting around the country in the RV, came with us for a change.

It was fun to have a new person added to the mix. It was also a challenge taking our Honda SUV instead of the RV. We're so used to having everything we need with us while we travel that we forgot to pack some stuff we needed and Andrew couldn't quite grasp the concept that the more water you drink, the more you have to go to the bathroom. Not a big deal when you have a bathroom with you going down the road. It's a huge problem for him and Tom (aka, "Mr. I Don't Stop Until I Have to Pee LeFevre"). I think everyone had just a little more appreciation for the RV by the time we got home.

Kaitlyn and Adam outside Independence Hall.

Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love. To be honest, I wasn't feeling the love. I know, queue the "Debbie Downer"  music: wah, wah, waaaah. I just calls 'em as I sees 'em.

I'm not sure what I expected but it didn't live up to my hype. We stayed in a hotel in New Jersey because it was significantly less expensive. Not too impressed with Jersey either. Maybe the drive and traffic contributed to my discontent?

The first thing on our tour agenda was the Liberty Bell. Before you ask, no Andrew did not say, "Are you kidding me, it's just a bell!" (We gave him a heads up before we got there so he wouldn't be disappointed!)
The line for to see the Liberty Bell was crazy long. Really, there were shorter lines at Disney World. Luckily for us, there is a little  window on the side of the building where you can see the bell without going into the building. Yep, that's how we roll.

The Liberty Bell...ignore the glare from the window. ;-)

We also toured many of the historic landmarks in what our tour guide, Shecky (not kidding that was his name), called "the most historic block in the most historic mile in the most historic city in the United States." Catchy tag line isn't it? Probably easier to stick with the brotherly love tag.

It gets better...do you want to see a photo from the most historic room in the most historic building in the most historic block in the most historic mile in the most historic city in the United States? Check out a pic of Shecky in the signing room (the signing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution).


Shecky, one of the highlights of Philly



Independence Hall, behind a veil of construction.

Birthplace of our country. Check. We can cross it off the bucket list.

Ciao!