Independence Hall

Sandwiched between 2 Project 30 adventures (NYC & DC), I visited Philadelphia by train in April 2008 to see the birthplace of democracy. Originally thinking I would be a politician, I spent a lot of my years in college thinking about political theory, and found myself giddy to be in the city of brotherly love. Unfortunately, while I spent a large part of my few days in Philly in bed at the hotel knocked out on Nyquil, the small size of the town and the relative close locations of things left me able to see plenty of the sites I came to see.



One of those sites high on the list was Independence Hall. (Independence Hall is not only on the World Heritage Location List, but also one of the "1,000 Places to See" both in the US and Internationally, knocking off a slot on 3 lists once again. Also as a member of the National Park Service, adds to my collection there.) I was so excited about my chance to see this place, that I had booked my tour ticket months in advance to secure my ability to tour inside the rooms where the founding fathers of our nation debated the future. Having found myself immersed in the John Adams series playing at that time on HBO, the past seemed even closer to be walking through the hall.



Being in Philadelphia really effected me. From seeing the Liberty Bell, to seeing an amazing video at the Constitution center that reminded me what an amazing time we are living in. After coming from New York, and having such a dramatic reaction to the Statue of Liberty, this town really cemented for me that I was proud to be alive in these true times of change. I spent a lot of my time on the train from Philly to DC writing about my experience, but a sad computer ate the whole thing. I still think sometimes about the thoughts that poured out of my head and fingers in those hours after I left that town. Independence Hall was truly an inspiring place.

I also was able to visit the Liberty Bell, the famous LOVE sign (which I also saw a replica of in Tokyo), Betsy Ross' house, and many more historic places. The only place I missed seeing was the Philadelphia Art museum and the famous Rocky steps, but you always have to leave some reason to go back right?

Statue of Liberty

One of the most moving experiences of the last 5 years was visiting the Statue of Liberty. As part of my original Project 30 adventure to New York City, I was not really expecting this large monument to move me so much, but it left a sincere lasting impression and incredibly fond memories. It also happens to appear on MANY of the "Must-See" lists that I'm tracking on, including the one that excites me the most, the World Heritage location list from UNESCO.

It's not just one of the 1,000 place to see in the US & Canada, but makes the bigger cut of the 1,000 places to see internationally! Only 999 more to go on each of those lists!

Here is what the National Park Service says about the Statue of Liberty National Monument -

Liberty Enlightening the World

Located on a 12 acre island, the Statue of Liberty Enlightening the World was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States and is a universal symbol of freedom and democracy. The Statue of Liberty was dedicated on October 28, 1886, designated as a National Monument in 1924 and restored for her centennial on July 4, 1986.

Here is what I wrote in my blog entry about my visit:

First piece of advice - If you ever plan on coming to New York and seeing the Statue of Liberty, get your ferry and monument tickets ahead of time, get there at 8 o'clock and in line to pick them up and go on the very first ferry out. If you miss Ellis Island, you're still pushing noon. Between 2 security checkpoints, lines, etc, it's a big ordeal, and when I turned around to see the line behind me, I was shocked. Anyway, even though the ferry was insanely crowded, and the line to the monument still seemed long in front of me, I managed to work my way through security faster than everyone but one couple. What that meant is that for a brief moment, I was in the statue of liberty alone. When I walked in the door at the base, I wept. I walked all 156 steps to the pedestal, and came out in full tears. I called my grandmother and told her where I was, I needed to share it with someone at least a little closer to my time zone. I am very thankful I had her to call, I needed to share that desperately. It was seriously life changing.

She is beautiful. As you take the ferry there, you start to think she is so much smaller than you thought, but when you are standing under her, looking at every fold so carefully carved, you realize the undertaking. She is majestic, and amazing. I was so glad that I was there as the sun broke through the sky, gleaming her torch in the sun. As far as moments in my life go, I am certain that this was one of the most amazing. I walked to the lowest level of the pedestal, still free from any other people who seemed to be crawling like ants below. I laid on the ground and stared up at her. I am sure that anyone up at the top at this time may have thought I was nuts. I walked up and I touched the rock that held her up and thanked her for guiding us.

It was really something that still moves me to think about. I'm really very glad I got to experience this monument. Last year I called my grandmother from the top of the Eiffel Tower just to keep the tradition.


See the entire set of pictures here.

I found a new thing to life list

World Heritage locations.

I've been to 3 that I could tell from scanning.

---January 2010 - I realize, wow, I've been to 6! I'm going to knock out these posts this week.

Places I Have Been - International

Cancun, Mexico - November 2006
Chichen Itza, Mexico - November 2006

Tokyo, Japan – April 2006, Primarily Shinjuku District

Fontainbleau, France (Including Royal Chateau)

Paris, France – April 2009
Top of the Eiffel Tower
Les Invalides & Musee de l’Armee
Sacre Couer
Jardin du Luxembourg
Erotic Museum
Musee du Louvre
Sainte Chapelle
Top of the Arc de Triomphe
Musee d’Orsay
Pantheon
Notre Dame
Musee Rodin & Rodin Gardens

Amsterdam, Holland – April 2009
Flower Market
Coffeeshops
Van Gogh Museum
Anne Frank Haus
Riks Museum

Places I Have Been - United States

Las Vegas, NV – December 2007, April 2009
Denver, CO – January 2008
New Orleans, LA – May 2001

Boston, MA
Cow Parade Art
Oldest Restaurant in the United States – Union Oyster House

Austin, TX – May 2007, Feb 2008, March 2009
Guitartown Art Guitars

Gruene, TX – Feb 2008
San Antonio, TX – March 2009
The Alamo

Farmington, MO – March 2008
Meramec Caverns – West Stanton, MO X 2
St. Louis, MO – Arch on Nov. 3, 2000 & November 19, 2002

New York – April 2008
Statue of Liberty
Museum of Modern Art
Central Park
(Old) Yankee Stadium
(Old) Shea Stadium
Museum of Sex
Madame Tussand’s Wax Museum
Empire State Building
Rockefeller Center & Top of The Rock
Times Square
Bryant Park & outside New York Public Library
Guggenheim Museum
Whitney Museum of American Art
Outside Madison Square Garden
Washington Arch at Night
Greenwich Village

Washington, DC – April 2008
Arlington National Cemetery
Outside Capitol Building & White House
Inside Washington Monument
National Mall & Lincoln Memorial
Vietnam & Korean War Memorials
National Air & Space Museum
Treasures of American History
Hope Diamond & Smithsonian Natural History Museum
Smithsonian Castle
Smithsonian Sculpture Garden
National Portrait Gallery & American Museum of Contemporary Art
Newseum – Grand Opening Day
US Constitution, Declaration of Independence & Magna Carta at National Archives

Philadelphia, PA – April 2008
The Liberty Bell
Independence Hall
Betsy Ross’ House
Original LOVE artwork
National Constitution Center, Samples from Cooperstown


Last Updated: June 30, 2009

Places I Have Been - California

San Diego County
Mt. Soledad
Crystal Pier
Zoo
Mission Beach
Gaslamp District
Encinitas, CA
Lake Henshaw, CA
Julian, CA

Santa Cruz County
Big Basin State Park – May 2009
Mystery Spot
Roaring Camp Railroad
Covered Bridge Park, Felton
Henry Cowell State Park
Boardwalk & Wharf
Capitola Wharf
Natural Bridges State Park & Monarch Butterflies

SF Bay Area
Alcatraz Island
The Haight
The Mission
Baker Beach
Golden Gate Park
Yerba Buena Gardens
Lombard Street
Clarion Street Art Alley
Museum of Modern Art
Musee Mecanique
Berkeley, CA

Ventura, CA – December 2008
Santa Monica Pier – December 2008, Los Angeles, CA
Hollywood Blvd & Walk of Fame – February 2008, Los Angeles, CA
Beverly Hills & Rodeo Drive - February 2008, Los Angeles, CA

Hwy 1 – Seacliff, CA
Hwy 1 – Missile Park
Hwy 1 - San Simeon & Hearst Castle – December 2001
Hwy 1 - Elephant Seals – June 2008, Piedras Blancas, CA
Hwy 1 – Pigeon Pt. Lighthouse
Hwy 1 - Elephant Seals – Ano Nuevo State Park, CA
Hwy 1 – Stinson Beach, CA
Hwy 1 – Golden Gate National Recreation Area & Marin Headlands

Monterey Bay Aquarium
Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf

Winchester Mystery House – February 2008, San Jose, CA
Rosicrucian Museum – February 2008, San Jose, CA

Sequoia National Forest & General Sherman Tree – June 2009


Last Updated: June 30, 2009