The Philadelphia Tour

Miscellaneous Scenes

This is my last post - finally! -

on Philadelphia.

I had some pictures that I liked,

but that didn't seem to fit into the posts

I had designated for the great Philadelphia trip.

Please enjoy.

Do you remember that I mentioned that it can be

difficult to take a picture on a moving bus?

I liked the watercolor effect of this photo.

A covered bridge.

Bark of an American Sycamore.

This gentleman is Lew White, our tour coordinator.

He did an excellent job of making sure we were

in the right place at the right time and that our hosts

were ready for us.

Can you see what floors are missing from our hotel

in downtown Philadelphia?

Wonder where they went?

That would be the hotel.

And this would be part of the reason

we decided to take the bus tour instead

of driving.

The parking fees were outrageous.

More interesting tree bark.

The SS United States is docked on the Delaware River.

The United States was the largest ocean liner to be

built entirely in the United States.

She still holds the speed record for an ocean liner

crossing the Atlantic in either direction.

Efforts are underway to save the ship

from the scrapyard.

Art Deco architectural detail on a downtown

Philadelphia building.

These signs just tickled my fancy.

I guess they are more concise than

"Don't block the intersection".

City lights reflected on the bus at night.

Two ships docked at the Independence Seaport Museum

next to the Moshulu.

Across the Delaware River, sits the

Battleship New Jersey.

This WWII submarine is the USS Becuna.

The Becuna was launched in 1944 and patrolled

the Pacific Ocean.

She was credited with sinking

3.5 Japanese merchant ships.

"Becky" also served during the Cold War,

and the Korean and Viet Nam wars.

She was decommissioned in 1969.

The Becuna is a National Historic Landmark

and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

The Cruiser USS Olympia served as Admiral Dewey's
flagship in the Spanish-American War.

She is the world's oldest steel warship and

the sole surviving naval ship of the Spanish-American War.

Sadly, the Olympia will sink within three years

if major repairs are not made and the museum

does not have the necessary funds.

They are looking at options for saving this important

piece of naval history.

One of the four masts of the Moshulu.

Our home away from home while in Philly.

This is a large hotel.

Interesting tree roots at Gettysburg.

Fence at Gettysburg.

Boulders on Little Roundtop.

Thank you for joining us on our trip.

I hope you enjoyed the tour.

The Grand Lodge of the Free and Accepted Masons

of Pennsylvania

Make no mistake about it.

This is a beautiful building.

Please indulge yourself and enjoy the full virtual tour here.

The Grand Lodge building is just across the street from

City Hall.

Intricate stone work.

The building has been certified by the

Philadelphia Historical Commission.

It is also a National Historical Landmark.

Grand Staircase.

Grand Foyer.

This is an old power regulator for the building.

It looks to still be in use?

The Grand Banquet Room.

After our banquet on Tuesday evening,

we were given an impromptu tour of the temple.

These bronze doors each weigh one ton.

The Benjamin Franklin Room is behind

these massive doors.

Oriental Hall.

The Rear Staircase.

Ceiling detail of the Grand Banquet Room.

Another ceiling view of the Banquet Room.

Each room had exquisite ceilings.

Our knowledgeable guide tells us about the room and building.

The Egyptian Hall.

All the details have been matched to the room's theme.

Rear Staircase Hall.

It must be noted that there is no wood detailing in this

building. It is all stone and plaster.

Norman Hall.

Ceiling of the Norman Hall.

Remember - this is not wood, but plaster.

Amazing ceiling in an upper hall.

Another view.

Looking down the hallway.

Another spectacular ceiling.

And with the lights out.

Gorgeous.

This is an amazing building.

Grand Staircase - Second Floor.

Renaissance Hall.

Corinthian Hall.

I think this was my favorite room.

This was a lovely building and our guide was gracious

despite the late hour.

Many thanks to the Philadelphia Masons for their

hospitality.