My family spent the Fourth of July in Philadelphia. This was a last-minute decision, but it was the right one. Much to my surprise, decent mileage tickets were available only a few days in advance, and there were plenty of hotel rooms available for points. Indeed, even with a World Cup game on Saturday, the city still had plenty of capacity. (It would have been poetic if the United States faced off against England on the Fourth of July.)
I had not been to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in more than a decade, and this would have been the first time doing so with my kids. Alas, the circumstances did not allow. It was over 100 degrees and the lines were never-ending. Also, Independence Hall did not permit any water past security. This was not going to work for youngins. In the morning, the line wrapped around the block. At 3:00 p.m., the line for Independence Hall was still nearly two hours long, so I did it solo. Still, I have to think of our forefathers who toiled in that same heat, with the windows drawn at Independence Hall. We have little to complain about. Indeed, every time I visit Independence Hall, I marvel at how small the room is. The famous painting by John Trumbull was not intended to be an accurate depiction. There was barely enough space to fit 50-odd chairs.
We did spend some quality time at the National Constitution Center, which was (thankfully) air conditioned. They had free admission, and lots of activities for kids. We also took a walk to Betsy Ross's house, which I had not visited since I was a little kid. There was a kind actress playing the role of Betsy Ross. She demonstrated how Ross was able to make a five-pointed star by folding paper and making a single cut. It was very kid-friendly. Still, I didn't know that there is no actual documentary evidence that Ross made the first American flag in June 1776. ndeed, we don't even know if Washington ever actually visited Ross's house. The best evidence we have are stories that Ross and her family told years later. I The story is more complex than I remembered.
