2019 05 29 05 31 Philly's Ball Game, Valley Forge

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 29 May 05 2019 

A very soggy start to our evening at the ballpark with Cathy and David for Cardinals versus Phillies. Dinner while floor sitting during the rain delay. Burgers and dogs are still a staple but like most ballfields, Citizens Bank Park has upgraded its food faire to include the local favorite, cheesesteaks, plus taco salads, vegan lettuce wraps, donut burgers and Tandori chicken wings. After more than an hour of waiting, the game was on.

Well, there is some prep time that has to occur before the game begins. There was a lot of water on the grass but the rain had moved off. The grounds crew could begin moving the water to the underground drains and removing the infield tarps.  

The Phanatic dressed in traditional clothing to help celebrate local Greek Heritage. Dancing with one of the field managers.

The game outcome did not please these Cardinal fans. The fans sitting behind us were not the chosen representatives for the City of Brotherly Love. We were fortunate that most of them decided to leave the game before it ended. Putting that aside, we were still at the ballpark. 

Valley Forge National Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania - 31 May 2019.

Before taking our walk across the north side on the Joseph Plumb Martin Trail of Valley Forge along the Schuylkill River we all needed some sustenance for puppies and people. Our tailgate provided convenient seating for all. 

The Washington Memorial Chapel is an active Episcopal parish built to honor soldiers of the American Revolution. In 1903, the cornerstone was laid 125 years after the evacuation of the Continental Army in 1778. The exterior was completed in 1917 and the interior in 1921. The belltower on the right was added later. Construction began in 1941, suspended during WWII and restarted in 1949. The "Justice Bell" (Women's Liberty Bell) was forged in 1915 as nearly identical replica of the original Liberty Bell. It toured the nation to promote passage of the 19th Amendment and was permanently moved to the bell tower chamber in 1943.   

Beside the chapel is the Cloister of the Colonies Garden which contains many memorials to those lost in our nation's conflicts. 

Across Valley Forge Park Road is a couple of captured British cannon.

They adorn the model of the Washington Monument obelisk which marks the grave of Lieutenant John Waterman, "whose grave alone of all his comrades was marked" but represents the over 2,000 Continental soldiers who died at Valley Forge or in hospitals. Most did not die during the winter months but in the spring when influenza, typhus, typhoid and dysentery decimated the camp.  

  

Built between 1768-1770 by IsaacPotts, a Quaker who operated a grist mill nearby, this 3-story stone structure was occupied by George Washington, and later by his wife, Martha as well, from Christmas Eve 1777 until 18 June 1778 conducting army business in an office on the first floor. The second floor was dedicated to bedrooms for the Washingtons and senior and junior officers. The thrid floor was occupied by servants and personal slaves. The left attached building is the summer kitchen.

Interior of summer kitchen. Up to 25 people were housed and fed for the six months of occupation in this house. 

The back (larger) bedroom was for George and Martha. The furnishings are period but not original to the house due to subsequent owners who removed their private property when the house was sold. The encampment at Valley Forge contained approximately 16,000 people (12,000 soldiers and camp followers - wives, servants and others who cooked, cleaned and provided sewing for the soldiers) which made it the 4th largest "city" in the colonies behind Philadelphia, New York and Boston. 

Behind the outbuilding, one of seven bronze copies cast from the original marble that stands in the rotunda of the Virginia capitol building. Washington's family considers the final statue to be the most realistic depiction ever made of the general. 

On a hot, sunny day, there is nothing so helpful as a beautiful blooming Catawba tree in full bloom. Deep shade and a little pleasing scent provide some much needed resting space so we can finish our nearly 7.5 mile walk.