Harrisburg, PA to Mount Laurel, NJ – 3/21/2017 – http://fulltimetimeshare.com/blog

March 21, 2017 (Tuesday)

We got up and drove the few miles to the State Capitol. It was a lovely drive and went close to the river where we saw statues and other fun things.

The Susquehanna River is a large river that cuts through Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. I could see where it was once a major waterway to move people and goods.

Also fun statues along the river on the way.

I really like the tan building facade on the larger building.

We figured we would get something to eat on the way or somewhere close to the Capitol. We ended up not finding anything around the Capitol after we found parking so we decided to eat in the cafeteria downstairs – but that didn’t work out either.

Looking up from where we parked as we approach the Capitol.

I greatly admire the philosophical engravings on the front of the building.

Reflects the revolutionary spirit I think.

Wonderful brass reliefs on the front doors.

Beautiful woodwork. Security was a frustrating experience. Not enough room for the Police to work and no way for them to communicate with the people outside, except by getting frustrated and yelling.

Once we got inside, and through the horrible security officer (he was definitely having a bad day or needs to find another job), we went to the tour desk and were told they had a tour starting in about ten minutes. Then the nice lady whispered to us that if we took that tour, there were no school groups. We said we would wait on the food and take the tour.

Huge light figures at the entrance and throughout..

So glad we decided to hold off on the food because the tour guide, Karen, was excellent. She sure knew her stuff. This Capitol was huge and beautiful – over the top beautiful – stunningly beautiful. It is now my number 2 favorite (Lincoln, Nebraska is still our 1^st). The Capitol dome is green on the outside and reminds me of peacock feathers; inside there is gold everywhere; and the murals are huge and lovely. Karen, the guide, took us into the Senate chambers, the Supreme Court, and the House (which was in session and we couldn’t take pictures). I liked that they had “locals” do the murals and statues, and Karen explained how long it took. They even hired a woman to do some art work, which was kinda unheard of because women didn’t even have the right to vote at that time. Very, very beautiful Capitol.

His quote inside the dome. “There may be room there for such a holy experiment. For the nations want a precedent. And my God will make it the seed of a nation. That an example may be set up to the nations. That we may do the thing that is truly wise and just.”

“Science Revealing Treasures of The Earth”

“The Spirit of Vulcan” Science Medallion on the right.

One of the four pillars that hold society together.

Religion and Law Medallions, two more of the pillars of civilization.

You can’t take it all in even when you stare.

The limits of the tour and lighting rob me of the best pictures. What you are seeing does not do justice to the beauty here.

State Supreme Court. Such a philosophically wonderful room.

Each of the four chandeliers has a small statue at its center of a major philosopher.

Karen named them, I have forgotten and cannot find them on the net.

The words: Law Love and Wisdom are hidden in this painting.

Violet Oakley’s paintings in the Supreme Court cover legal history from antiquity to her completion in 1927.

Bottom left, Karen, explaining the paintings and what they refer to. She was excellent.

Bottom left, Karen, explaining from memory the paintings and what they refer to. She has a strong voice and can speak loud, which, being an old man, I find excellent.

Every picture tells a historic story. I think this is William Penn.

I was in a dark side hall, turned the flash on and found gold leaf in here.

Wings are very ornate and have beautiful ceilings.

Nice state seal that lights up with the flash.

On the main floor of the rotunda are these tiles. Original floor mosaics about 150 years old, all really cool.

When we were heading down to the cafeteria, we saw a large group of cheerleaders taking photographs near the stairs. I was surprised the grouchy security guard was letting them do their gymnastics (including the one where they go up two or three people in the air) so close to the stairs. It looked very unsafe to me. I figured I couldn’t say anything but I would not want my child doing that.

We got downstairs and it was busy – lots and lots of things going on. I guess it was Pitt Day and they had booths and music and lots of things happening right as you enter the cafeteria. Once inside the cafeteria, they had many choices and lines to go to. Michael and I opted for sandwiches and coffee, very good and not too expensive. As with everywhere else in the Capitol complex, the cafeteria was packed and getting more crowded.

I had a tuna sandwich. Pretty good. With chips and pickle.

Edie had an egg salad with avocado, cucumber salad and chips. We shared her leftovers for breakfast the next day.

In the basement I found copper railings.

We finished and left to go back upstairs to exit. We got to the grand front doors and exited onto the stairs overlooking the downtown street where we parked. It was at that point that we saw several fire trucks, police cars with their lights flashing, several news vans, and a bus that looked like it had “slumped” to the side and was falling over. The area was roped off and people were being told to leave the area. Apparently there was a sink hole that happened when the bus drove by. Not sure how they were going to get the bus out of there. What a mess.

Walked out front and something serious was going on.

This is a tricky mess. Hard to say what is going on down there. Where do you put the tow truck without it sinking too?

We left and were able to drive more of the way along the river. So beautiful. Harrisburg is a very cute town. Loved the feel of it.

The drive to our new “home” for the next two nights was a little over 100 miles and took almost two hours. Most of the drive was on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. Pretty good roads until we got into Philadelphia. Once into Philadelphia, the potholes and man cover areas were pretty darn bad.

We wanted to stop in Philadelphia on our way to Mount Laurel because when we were in Williamsburg, Virginia at the Duck Donuts, we got to talking to some ladies from Philadelphia and they told us some pretty neat sounding places we should try to see while in Philadelphia. We knew we only had today (and maybe tomorrow if we’re up to it) and wanted to get one out of the way – The Curtis Building. They told us about a Tiffany tile mural inside the building. They were right in that it was so beautiful and so glad we got to see it. Also, The Curtis Building is just a nice building to enjoy and look around.

Designed by Maxfield Parrish. Executed by Tiffany Glass.

We got into our “home,” the Wyndham Philadelphia in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Very large high rise complex with spacious and lovely rooms.

Comfortable work area. All the lamps had 110 outlets, very nice. Too many channels on the TV.

We got settled in and then left to go visit our friends, Beth and John, who lived nearby. We met them from our blog and have enjoyed meeting up with them in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Carmel-by-the-Sea, California, and then again in Orlando, Florida. Fun people that we enjoy a lot. But first we needed to get a fruit platter and some wine and beer to take (they were cooking pizza). We went to a nearby store and were told they don’t sell liquor. We then had to go to another town and find a liquor store. Got to see quite a bit of the area, which was nice.

We got to John and Beth’s beautiful home and got to spend several hours catching up and eating great food! In addition to the pizza, they had made a wonderful salad and some green beans. Beth had also made a killer cake with some fruit and yogurt. So good. We were totally stuffed.

We loved their kitchen calendar (Kate Libby).

We really enjoy their sense of humor, it is very similar to ours.

Wonderful salad – not pictured were some excellent gout fighting green beans and mine and John’s marinara sauced mushroom and sausage pizza.

Hated to leave we were having such a good time but we were tired and Beth had to work the next day. They also gave us some very good tips on hotels and places to eat.

We left and got home around 10:00 PM. That was our day. Hope yours was great!