Girls Weekend 2007

Last year four friends from high school came to visit me in Los Angeles. We had so much fun that we decided to make it an annual event. We decided it was fun to visit a city where one of us had an insider's knowledge of things to do. So this year we all convened in Philadelphia. Erin J. had moved there about a year ago. None of the rest of us had been to Philly before so we thought it sounded fun.

After some annoying flight details, Erin F. and I arrived in Philly on Thursday, June 21st and stayed in Erin and her husband, Dave's apartment near Penn's campus. On Friday, Erin F. and I took our time getting up and out and about, took the bus to Old City or the historic part of town. We walked around and had a cheesesteak sandwich at Jim's Steaks after waiting in line for a good 45 minutes or so. We enjoyed taking in all the old architecture and catching up. Despite a minor annoying incident where my flip-flop broke and I had to walk around for 20-25 minutes without a shoe before we found a place to buy some new ones, it was a very enjoyable afternoon. We joined up with Erin J. after work at our hotel and then picked up Claire and Allison at the airport. We dined at Positano Coast and had quite a delicious meal sharing several dishes.

Saturday, we toured the countryside visiting the Battle of Brandywine battlefield site for a picnic lunch. We took in a few historic sites including George Washington's headquarters for the battle. The gift shop there proved to be an amusement for all and we each left with our own revolutionary era basket weaving kit. We thought it might be entertaining to try and weave a basket in a hour as the package promised. And joked that perhaps we needed to complete a cheesy crafty souvenir on each of our future trips. ;-)

We traveled around the Brandywine area in the afternoon visiting the Longwood Gardens gift shop. We didn't have much time before they closed so we didn't pay admission to actually go in, but it looked like it would be absolutely beautiful. If you're ever in the Philly area, I would definitely check that out. We also drove through the campus at Swarthmore College. It was extremely beautiful there. Very picturesque.

Allison, Claire, Erin Jensen, Dave, Erin Friedline, Me
at Marigold for dinner

We arrived back in West Philly (yes, the Fresh Prince song was sung at least once during the trip) at Erin and David's apartment to rest for a bit and looked at her pictures from their trip to Africa. Then headed out to dinner at Marigold. Dave joined us for dinner and was entertained with our silliness and talk of band camp (yes, Claire attended band camp). We started getting a little bit too loud with stories and whatnot so decided to head back to the hotel. We started the basketweaving extravaganza around midnight. And despite the instructions saying it would only take an hour, we proceeded to plug along for the next 2.5-3 hours. They turned out fairly well given all the grumbling and profane words slung around.

Sunday, we toured the city on foot. We walked through an art market, the Italian market, got some water ice (a Philly phenomenon, sort of like a slushie), and had lunch in South Philly. There are two cheesesteak places across the street from each other. Pat's and Geno's. We decided to get sandwiches from both so we could try them and decide. I preferred Geno's but I think everyone else liked Pat's better. You be the judge next time you visit Philly.

We continued on walking around various neighborhoods to Rittenhouse Square where we took a breather and relaxed for a bit in a park (yes, I was complaining about all the exercise I was getting by this point). And continued on back toward the hotel stopping at the Naked Chocolate Cafe. YUM! We visited Elfreth's Alley, the oldest continuously lived in neighborhood in the US. The houses were really cool! There was plaque on one of them dating 1752. There was a sign in one saying it was going to be on the market, if anyone's interested! ;-) After our tour of the city, we cooled off in the hotel pool with a nice swim and some synchronized swimming from Claire, Erin J, and Erin F. Sorry we forgot the camera for that one. And finished on with a dinner at a fairly forgettable Italian restaurant (I can't even remember the name of it).

We said goodbye to Erin J that night because she had to return to reality and go to work on Monday and the rest of us sort of did our own thing Monday morning before we all caught our flights back home. I visited the Polish American Cultural Center. My paternal grandfather was Polish so I thought I would check it out. I learned that Poland had the second oldest Declaration of Independence (ours was first). And there was a painting very similar to the one of our founders signing the Declaration. I also learned Poles built the first factory in America to produce the first "made-in-America" products, which were glassware.

Claire and Allison went off to the Mutter Museum, full of medical anomalies. Claire told me on the plane about one set of siamese twins who had two heads and one torso/body. Interesting to hear about, but glad I didn't see it for myself.

We all made it back safe and sound, and had a great time! We are planning on Denver next year, home to Erin Friedline now. She's already scoping things out for us! Can't wait!! There are pictures on Shutterfly if anyone is interested. :-)