Philadelphia 2008, Day 1

On the road again...on Boxing Day.

Not the most efficient launch. We discovered we could not find our DeLorme atlas for Maryland and Delaware, so had to be limited to the main highways but weren't planning on back roads anyway. But as a map nut it meant I got off to an annoying start being mapless for two whole states. By the time we discovered I couldn't get a new one at Borders, Safeway or Staples, hopes of an early departure had faded.

We did manage to visit the Brandywine River Museum, known for the works of Andrew Wyeth and his sisters and his cousins and his aunts (or father and son anyway); there was a Christmas exhibit of model trains which Sarah enjoyed; though interested in art, Wyeth was not her cup of tea, though we did buy a print by another painter of the Brandwine school. And we did see some Howard Pyle paintings for Treasure Island,including a classic Long John Silver complete with pegleg and parrot.

We arrived in Philadelphia about five. Our downtown Hampton Inn is next to the Convention Center, which is now undergoing an expansion, so we may have some construction noise. It's only a couple of blocks from Tam's sister Kate's hotel and we hope to see her tomorrow. She's here for a philosophy conference.

We took Sarah to the old Wanamaker's by the city hall; complete with organ in the main hall. Like all historic urban department stores it is now a Macy's, but I suspect the locals still think of it as Wanamaker's. We showed Sarah the Christmas windows, something new to her: department stores at suburban malls don't do animated Christmas windows.

We stopped for a drink at the local Hard Rock Cafe, Sarah's first at a Hard Rock and, based on reaction, not likely to be repeated soon. Once they opened one in Cairo I knew they'd overextended the franchise.

Just ate at a local pizzeria, very downmarket. More likely we'll have a nice evening with Kate tomorrow.

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