Lancaster County

Ye Olde Hexagonal Schoolhouse:  Dating from 1837, this unique schoolhouse was built in the shape of a hexagon. It's a brown and grey stone structure with a cupola roof.











Red Caboose Motel:   If you're willing to give up the life of the country squire and ready for a change of pace, check into the Red Caboose Motel and stay in a restored caboose for the night. Choose from a variety of different cabooses -- half-car or full-size cars are available. All the rooms have private baths and cable TV.  (These are only a small sampling of the cars).

Keller's Bridge:  Most covered bridges are painted red, but this particular one is painted white. It dates from 1873, and has been rebuilt once following a flood.

Landis Mill Bridge:  Built in 1873 over Little Conestoga Creek by Elias McMellen, this is Lancaster County's shortest vehicle-used bridge. Its has a total span of 53 feet, and is 15 feet wide. The multiple king-post truss structure originally cost $969 to construct.

Neff's Mill Bridge:  Originally built in 1824 by Christian Brackbille, the single-span double-Burr-arch bridge was rebuilt by James C. Carpenter in 1875 for $1,860. Also known as Bowman's Mill Covered Bridge and Pequea #7 Bridge, it's 102 feet long and a little more than 10 feet wide, which makes it the county's narrowest bridge.

Philadelphia

Since I had to be out of my coach by 7am for the work to begin, it was a good time to head to Philadelphia.  Unfortunately, between the morning traffic and the construction, it took me 2 1/2 hours to drive the 78 miles, but well worth it.  It was a long day, as I didn't get back to the coach for 13 hours.

My first Philly Cheese Steak - I even added fries!

This is in Valley Forge National Park - I had to drive down a closed road, around barricades to take this picture!

Senate Room in the Congress Building.  Twenty-six of these desks are original to the first Congress.

Independence Hall - Room where the Declaration was signed.

The chandelier is the original one from the 1700s

George Washington's pew in Christ's Church.  In those days, you purchased your own pew and it had a locked door where this opening is now.

This is the first "thing" I saw when I got into the city .... I thought it was strange.  ha.

Needless to say .... LOTS of walking today.

Pennsylvania

I left New Jersey a couple of days early because I made an appointment with a RV dealer in Pennsylvania.  The warranty on my coach will expire in about 500 miles, so I needed to get the last minute items handled.  I sent them a list of what needed to be done; they scheduled a day and a half for the work ..... of course, they are not done and parts need to be ordered ....

Anyway, it was a short drive (but expensive - the tolls were $42.60) so I had the afternoon free.   I drove around the area a bit ....

Ben Franklin Bridge from New Jersey to Pennsylvania

Dreibelbis Station Bridge:  Constructed in 1869, this continuously operating bridge is still open to vehicular traffic. The covered bridge, which spans Maiden Creek for 172 feet, has a uniquely squared off entranceway instead of an arched design.


















Reading Railroad Heritage Museum: This museum showcases the historical significance of the Pennsylvania and Reading Railroad in the area. Not only was it one of the first railroads constructed in the U.S., but in 1871, the 93-mile-long Reading Railroad was one of the world's largest corporations. This success garnered attention from Parker Brothers, who included the railroad in their Monopoly board game.

Reading, PA

Fork in the Road:  This unusually large fork statue was made by a local resident and it's located at a fork in the middle of the road. The popular local landmark stands about eight feet high.