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Sorry I haven't been on line in quite a while, but I wanted to report on a quick trip to Philadelphia/NJ/Delaware that I made partly usingly Amtrak.
The trip began inauspiciously: a glitsch (sp?) on CSX's computers caused the normally reliable early morning trains leaving Albany for NYC to be heavily delayed! But I cadged a lift with others heading down to Poughkeepsie to catch Metro North, of all things! First time I'd been on a Metro North Hudson Line train in decades (though much of the route is the same as Amtrak's, of course), and first time I've come into Grand Central Station since Amtrak switched the Empire Service from GCT to Penn Station in (I think) the late 1980s. Poughkeepsie station is much improved, as was the newish Metro North train I took (which was very similar to Long Island RR trains). Grand Central Station is always a joy, but the approach from the Bronx is nowhere near as nice as going under the George Washington Bridge to Penn Station (nor as nice as coming in from New England over the Hellgate), and I did have the hassle of getting from Grand Central to Penn Station to continue on to Philly!
Since I had luggage (with wheels), walking was easiest, but then it began raining, so I caught a taxi from about the NY Public Library to Penn Station. Since my change in plans was caused by Amtrak (or CSX) I had no trouble (other than time delay) switching to a later train to Philly; I was glad I had bought Amtrak thru to Philly, instead of switching to NJ Transit/SEPTA in NYC as I had considered, since I did get to NYC later than I expected!
The Amtrak Regional from NYC to Philadelphia had no problems, and when I arrived at Philly's fine old 30th Street Station I headed for the ACELA Lounge, which I thought pleasant, except for the 10 or so steps to get up to the door! (I later learned there was an elevator but it is kept locked and you have to accost a Red Cap or something to gain access to it!) Anyway, after stashing my luggage and freshening up, I took the SEPTA (free with my Amtrak ticket) down to the Market East station and, since I was so close to Reading Terminal, I got out at the 12th St end and went in to the refurbished Reading Terminal for a delicious Bassatt's ice cream (dessert before my late lunch). The terminal is a bit nostalgic for me, and a bit sad; how I wish trains still came here! And I don't even remember being here as a child, when trains came in, though I believe one time I was . . .
From there, I walked down Market St to the Independence Hall area, most of which I'd seen before. My plan was to visit the new-to-me National Constitution Center. Since I still hadn't had proper lunch and didn't have time to get to my favorite place for a Philly cheesesteak (Jim's on South St), I tried a place further down Market St recommended by the fellow at the Independence Hall Vistor Center--called something with S, Sal's? Sonny's? I forget. Anyway, my cheesesteak was a big disappointment--in fact, I threw it out (it was cheap)--no point getting calories when it was cheap enough to dump--and went down to 2nd (near Penn's Landing) where I had an inexpensive Indian Thali at a nice place called Cafe Spice. I would have walked around a little more, but it was a really hot day, so I headed back up Market St to visit the Constitution Center. At $12, this was somewhat disappointing to me--nice building and "space," but the film and displays are kind of pedestrian for an adult who already knows a lot of colonial history--I certainly enjoyed my (free) (guided) visit to Independence Hall 1 1/2 years ago far more. Still, I had missed this Constitution Center when I toured most everything else in the Old City area with my husband a year and a half ago, so I wanted to see it. . .
Afterward, I began walking back up Market with the thought I might bop in and see the interior of City Hall, but it was so hot!!! that I wound up catching a cab (not expensive) back up to 30th St Station and chilling out a bit in the ACELA Lounge before my friend came to meet me. After she picked me up (on the 30th St side of the station), we headed for her home in southern NJ.
The next day we left for the place we were really going, Cape May--by car, alas. I believe there was once a local train here? Don't know. Anyway, Cape May was simply lovely! beautiful, and, in spite of dire weather predictions, all the rain we had was in the middle of the night!
From Cape May we took the ferry across Delaware Bay to Lewes DE--it was 1/2 hour late, btw, shades of Amtrak! But we got in in time to drive up to Dover DE and tour the capitol--yes, my friend was humoring me on my 50-capitols visiting plans--but Dover (my 22nd, not including Annapolis and Juneau, both of which I visited but did not tour the capitol buildings, so they don't really "count") is pleasant enough, at least in the area where the state buildings are. There are actually 2 "capitol" buildings to see, Legislative Hall, in colonial style though built in the 1930s, where we had a truly fine tour, and the original statehouse, heavily restored--tour here was not as good. Both are free to visitors (as are all capitols/statehouses). We also walked around the Green area where both are located, and where there are some at least partly colonial buildings still standing, though not the famous tavern where Delaware became the first state to ratify the Constitution--but we did see the placard/signs at that site, which tied in nicely with my recent visit to the Constitution Center! Then, after a very late lunch, we headed back to my friend's house in South Jersey.
The next morning my friend dropped me at a nearby stop of NJ Transit's very pleasant and fairly new River Line light rail, which cost just $1.50 I think and took me in to Trenton, where the station has been redone (at least, the entrance/ticket area) quite nicely compared to last time I was there! At Trenton I caught a NJ Transit (I think it was $14.50) back to New Yrok's Penn Station, getting in before noon (in fact, the train was about 10 minutes early). I did some shopping in Macys and at Borders and had a late lunch at a pretty inexpensive Balkan restaurant not too far from Penn Station--one I'd never visited before but likely will visit again--and, it being cooler than it had been in Philly, I also did a NYC walkabout (walking off calories) up to Columbus Circle, over to the East Side, down Madison and Park Av to the Grand Central Station, and back past the library and Bryant Park (where there was some cool jazz outdoors) back before heading back to Penn Station. My Empire Service train was fine this time!
So, all in all, a pleasant little summer junket. And only sad because of my nostalgia for Reading Terminal and Cape May trains. I do plan to go back and take the train from Philly to Atlantic City and meet my friend THERE one time; I've never been to AC and, though I have little interest in gambling, I think I'd get a kick out of seeing all the Monopoly Streets.
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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quote:Originally posted by sojourner: But we got in in time to drive up to Dover DE and tour the capitol--yes, my friend was humoring me on my capitols visiting--but Dover is pretty cute.
I'm pleased to learn you agree, Ms. Sojourner. My 19 month tour @ Dover AFB (Nov 1965 to Jun 1967) was just like my Amtrak journeys - "more positives than negatives".
Posts: 9976 | From: Clarendon Hills, IL USA (BNSF Chicago Sub MP 18.71) | Registered: Apr 2002
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posted
Actually, in my edit Mr Norman, I changed my "cute" comment to something even more positive about Dover. I actually wished I had overnighted there and seen more--would have, too, if I'd gone myself (which I probably would have done if it didn't involve taking a BUS from Wilmington). I did not get to Dover AFB, though we did pass it. BTW, my friend has GPS in her car, and it wasn't working from about when we got off the ferry in Lewes until close to Wilmington--I wondered if this was some kind of jamming or blocking (I apologize for my ignorant electronic lingo) because of Dover AFB, to prevent interference with their own communications or something like that???
Posts: 2642 | From: upstate New York | Registered: Mar 2004
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