Philadelphia Here We Come!

My husband recently turned seventy-seven. I’m not going to lie, that number sounds like it is getting up there and soon he (we) will be entering the winter of his (our) life. I am not sure how we got here so quickly but it is here nonetheless. I found myself thinking about a way to celebrate this occasion and several months ago I decided we would acknowledge this day by attending the Army/Navy Football Game in Philadelphia. Being a Navy family I knew I would not go wrong with this choice. Our son Matt and his wife helped with the details; acquiring the tickets, renting a townhouse, and then, just to make it really special, came with us to share in this event. We had a BLAST!

The Army/Navy game is one of the most traditional and enduring rivalries in college football. It’s origin dates back to 1890 and the game has come to embody the spirit of the inter-service rivalry of the United States Armed Forces. It is still played with the same intense enthusiasm as it did over a century ago. It is held regularly in Philadelphia which is about halfway between Annapolis (Naval Academy) and West Point (Army Academy) and provides for a lovely meeting ground for these two teams. It is the most honorable football game I have ever attended and could certainly see myself doing this again.

We have been to Pennsylvania in the past but never to Philadelphia and so we decided that while we were here we might as well enjoy this eclectic city. It is literally divided into neighborhoods and each offers a different perspective of the area. In the older portion of the city you can see and experience the history of our country by walking through Independence National Park. Here you can see Independence Hall where the Constitution of our country was debated and adopted. The Liberty Bell is here as are many artistic renditions of our country’s history which are now forged into the walls of historic buildings. With the mere crossing of the street you enter another neighborhood where suddenly you are smack dab in the middle of Philly’s nightlife which is quite colorful and entertaining. We walked the streets for ten to twelve hours a day absorbing the vibrancy of each of the neighborhoods we came across. And, of course, we enjoyed a Philly cheese steak sandwich which you only call a cheese steak when you are in Philly. There is no faster way to look like a first time visitor than to make the redundant request of asking for it any other way.

Next to walking, the underground trains are the best way to travel and provide an easy way to get around the city. We almost thought we were a part of a Monopoly Game as we went in and out of the familiar named stations like the Reading and Pennsylvania Stations. We walked across the Delaware River one evening and remembered its historical value. It is lit at night and incredibly beautiful and affords the opportunity to enjoy the beautiful skyline. The Christmas Markets were in abundance and the Amish were peddling their homemade wares. I sampled a ghost chili pepper salsa and was awarded a pin that said I had survived. For a moment it felt as if we were back in Germany as the aroma of brats and pastry wafted through the air and people mingled along the rows of merchants. It was enchanting.

The weather was crisp and cold but stellar nonetheless. We basked in the warmth of those we were with and were reminded of how blessed we are. We could certainly do this again.