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Amtrak on this trip worked out fine, as it usually does for Empire Service and Regional NE Corridor trains. Ours were never more than 10 minutes late. Waiting in Philly's 30th St station for the northbound Regional was very pleasant; I had time to explore the lovely old station, seeing the Angel statue and mural from the old Broad St Station.
The Red Roof Inn in DC (which I mentioned as a possible good-priced hotel to David) was adequate but not more than that. The trash can had not been cleaned when we came to the room (everything else was clean), and some of the staff (not all) were pretty lackadaisical. The lobby was a little shabby. Still, the location was very convenient, and the price was a lot better than we could have done elsewhere in this season. We enjoyed riding the Metro. We visited a number of museums, including the Renwick, which had a marvelous George Catlin exhibit, and the new National Portrait Gallery, which was really wonderful if you are interested in American history as we are (and is quite close to Union Station, for those who have time between trains). Restaurant highlights included the popular and delicious tapas restaurant Jaleo, Eat First and Burma in Chinatown, a wonderful breakfast and lunch place near the White House called Bread Line, and Market Lunch at the Eastern Market, where I had a wonderful crabcake sandwich. We also ate in another tapas place on 7th St, La Tasca I think it was called, which I did not care for, though my husband liked it better.
We loved Philadelphia; wish we'd stayed longer. Did not get a chance to ride the subway but were able to walk all over the place. We took a walk "in Ben Franklin's footsteps," including Penn's Landing, his house mockup, grave, printshop, etc--and esp loved Elfreth's Alley. We also saw the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, where the guide was quite good. We visited the fantastic Philadelphia art museum and walked by the boathouses on the Schuylkill behind it--it was exciting for me finally to walk the buildings I see all the time from the train, and I was glad not to have a Thomas Wolfe experience! After the Museum we went to a good bookstore on Fairmount, across from the Eastern Penitentiary. We also really liked the archeology museum at the University of Pennsylvania. We enjoyed a restaurant called Indonesia in Chinatown and a lovely and delicious Mexican restaurant called Tequilas/Los Catrines on Locust St. We also ate at a place called White *** near U Penn that we didn't care for. We visited the Reading Market. Did not get to Constitution Hall--saving that for a return trip!
train lady Member # 3920
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You certinly pack a lot of interest in a short space. Thanks
sojourner Member # 3134
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Can someone explain why the word for a common household pet that is not a cat (i.e., the word is god spelled backwards) was turned into asterisks in my post? Is it a "dirty word"?
ehbowen Member # 4317
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The dyslexic atheists strike again!
train lady Member # 3920
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I think it is because the common word for canine can also be a slur or insult. Since no one apparently monitors this forum there is no way to know the context of the word. Or maybe someone is just ornery
rresor Member # 128
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Glad you enjoyed Philadelphia, Sojourner. As a 20-year resident, I've enjoyed living there very much. Sorry you had a bad experience at the White *** Cafe. I've had a number of good meals there over the years, from brunch to dinner, but haven't been back in maybe five years now, since I moved out of the city.
You certainly seem to have covered a lot of territory!
As for the "angel", it is of course the PRR tribute to employees who died in World War II. Try imagining any modern American corporation (Enron?) doing something like that. It gives one pause, to know what the once-great PRR was like.
sojourner Member # 3134
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It's funny about the White (3-letter word for hound) Cafe--another friend who lived in Philly for years recommended it too. We went to the brunch. The food was OK but the coffee was bad, the service was horrendous (and we're not really fussy), and the price was rather steep. We did like the little bread basket they put on the table, but it was $3 extra! We liked all the other places we ate in Philly, including our absolutely scrumptious Bassett's ice cream in the Reading Market.
I got a fascinating handout about the "angel" and the rest of the station from the Amtrak office at 30th Street. I was very impressed with the statue for any number of reasons, not the least of which is the fact that WITNESS is my favorite movie. From Amtrak at some point I learned that there is now a Witness museum in Lancaster! It sounds goofy, but I for one plan to go some time (I have a friend in Lancaster).
EH Bowen, that's a good one. Train Lady, I guess you are right, the three-letter word for hound can be an insult, but goodness, cat can be an insult too. They are rather mild insults, aren't they? I don't think either of them warrant bleeping on a website!
palmland Member # 4344
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Sojourner Glad you enjoyed Phila. Growing up in nearby Wilmington, DE I always enjoyed a trip there, even if only to see the futile Philadelphia Phillies baseball games. If you make it to Lancaster, be sure to see the Quilt and Textile Museum. My wife loved it as quilting is her hobby. A visit to Strasburg RR is great even for those who don't like trains. And a little closer to Wilmington, you could do a whole trip around the River Museum (Wyeth family paintings) in Chadds Ford, PA and nearby Longwood Gardens and the Winterthur museum.
sojourner Member # 3134
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Thanks for the tips, Palmland. On my trip to Indianapolis (see the other strand I started) I took a bus up to the art museum and saw the Gee's Bend quilts--the ones in the August postage stamps. They were really something. I think they are touring to different museums, so I hope your wife can get to see them some time.
I once met my friend from Lancaster at the Wilmington train station, and though we didn't see much of Wilmington itself, we did go to Longwood Gardens and Chadds Ford. They were great! I did not get to Winterthur museum--would love to go but I gather I'd need a car to get there from Wilmington? I'd also like to see New Castle--do you need a car to get there from Wilmington too?
Gilbert B Norman Member # 1541
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quote:Originally posted by rresor: As for the "angel", it is of course the PRR tribute to employees who died in World War II. Try imagining any modern American corporation (Enron?) doing something like that. It gives one pause, to know what the once-great PRR was like.
Mr. Resor, how say we give credit to Amtrak for maintaing the plaque in Wash Union Station for employees who have lost their life in the line of duty?
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