Atlantic City, and Philadelphia were fun

Atlantic City Boardwalk

Atlantic City was not as expected. I thought more of a better experience, but cool weather, and the parking search was just too much for me not get a little pissed off. $25.00 to park in a parkade was way over my expectation. NO PARKING anywhere on the streets. We wanted a place that was covered so we could leave Bosco in the truck without worry of him in the sun, even though looked like sun would not come out today. Was a search but did find a place for $15.00 so after a few times around looking went for this. We got parked, and made Bosco comfortable, then off to check out the boardwalk. We got out to the door, and I remembered that I left my phone, so went back to truck to get it and a guy that worked in the parkade says, just to let you know that leaving the dog in the truck was illegal, could get the cops here. I say What, he is OK, no sun, window open, what the heck. I'm just saying it has happened here in New Jersey. Jeezzz... OK so now we take Bosco with us, not exactly easy as the board walk wasn't really set up for him, NO DOGS on Beach! from Memorial day on for the summer NO DOGS on the Boardwalk... Lucky we are here before Memorial day... Not dog friendly place we find out. So Polly goes in and gambles for awhile, while I walk Bosco, not best, but was OK. That is when I find out all the restrictions for dogs here. Shaking my head I make up my mind quickly I will not return here, not only not dog friendly, but also kinda run down, and not what we had though it might be. If I want this kind of Experience would go to the beach somewhere else, and as for the casinos, Vegas has this place beat hands down.

Ocean was fierce today

Our Tram ride was worth it

Learning the selfie shot smiles... 

Don't know where the wagon came from

I'm Rich!!!

Mrs. Money Bags

When Polly comes out 1/2 hour later, Winner, we take a small tram bus for a tour of the board walk and find out much is shut down. Not as big as it looks on the map, and split up as a couple casinos are off at the other end of the boardwalk, not connected. The bus ride was good, the driver had some very cool music, much swearing in the tunes, and not what we would usually listen to, but good. The place had some parts that reminded me of a fair, but mostly was sales of trinkets, T-Shirts, and other stuff. 

Polly waited while I went in to the casino for a 1/2 hour, and then we left, most likely to never return. 

Don't like our dog, then we will find a better place to go.

 Philadelphia was a good place to look around. We have been to many city's lately and this one was just a little different. The bridge into the city was still an old structure not a new string looking type, the one we went on was the Benjamin Franklin Bridge, and kinda reminded me of the Golden Gate in San Francisco. Of course a toll was on this bridge, from Jersey to Pennsylvania which we did here from a few, (Toll on the way out of Jersey, who would want to go to Jersey anyway). Most of the city’s history was very close to the end of this bridge, and we decided to take a hop on and off bus tour this time. Worked good for us as we brought Bosco along and he got a seat to himself, that is until the brakes were applied had one time and he slipped off the seat onto the floor. After that Polly kept him on her lap, so he could see good, and no falling to the floor. We were on the top of the Double Decker bus up front, so had a good view of where we were going, and no roof so could see all the way to the top of the huge buildings. Was nice to sit and watch for a change rather than walk as our feet did get sore in Washington.

Our tour guide was good

Benjamin Franklin Bridge

Benjamin Franklin

Horse and Buggy's were not loaded yet.

China Town

Huge Guitar 

Pennsylvania Rail Road

Insurance is Big Business 

Eastern State Prison 

Joan of Arc 

We listened to much info about the past, and a few things I retained. The City Hall building was the tallest in the city, and no other was to be built taller. This was adhered to until 1987 when One Liberty Place was built, a state of the art new building, with ice and snow melting systems in place. This was when the Gentleman’s agreement as it is called was broken, now there are others built taller then City Halls height, but they all are behind the statue’s view, behind his back as this is how they got the OK to build. Funny how a Gentleman’s Agreement can be broken over years, kinda like the treaty's we learned about in Washington. I remember my Mom saying, “Change is one thing you can always count on, that and Taxes” She was correct, and all the words we say, and agreements we make change with time.

Art Gallery with beautiful inlaid colours

Rocky has a story here

The stairs he ran up in the movie

Newest Comcast Building being built, will be tallest

Comcast Building tallest now

Just loved the look of the flags

City hall

Art work in the city

City hall was tallest for years

Interesting lamp, never seen one like this before.

Buildings and bells here in Philly

Old and New

Biggest Dog we have seen so far

Group Hug on South Street

Free Franklin Post Office & Museum is the only Colonial-themed post office operated by the United States Postal Service. It is a living portrayal of a bygone Colonial lifestyle, and it is the only active post office in the United States that does not fly the American flag (because there was not yet one in 1775 when Benjamin Franklin was appointed Postmaster General). The postmark "B. Free Franklin" is still used to cancel stamps. The museum on the second floor features displays of postal history and memorabilia.

A different kind of tour Bus? You power it...

Huge Beer Pong Game

The ride around was nice and we did see many interesting monuments, buildings and historical places. Eastern State prison was one that interested me, not as a jail, but the building, it looked like a fort, or a castle and the building was huge. I never wanted to look inside a prison but this one would be of interest to me. It has a history of being haunted, so is decorated up at Halloween. Tours are offered, but we didn’t go this time, will put on the list of when we return what to check out.

After our tour of the city we went for lunch close to where we started and ended our tour, by the Visitors center down town. We sat out looking for a place that was recommended for a Philly Cheese Steak sandwich, but the lineup was too long, so we went next door, where service was to our table, and good beer was available. Nice place with good service, and as we sat outside Bosco was welcome. Food was good here, and we met someone from Austin, Texas and of course had a good chat with him. He was working here, and was off today and on his way home to spend a week off before Memorial day weekend, will be a nice time for him to take time off he said, as with us, combine a long weekend with a week off and that is a good holiday. Hmm, I asked Polly the other day if she thought we would go on any holidays anymore? She said maybe if we get an invite to a destination wedding. Other than that, now our life is one full time holiday!

Loving life here in Philadelphia....

New York City next!