On a whim I took the trailer to Philadelphia for the weekend. My son and I stayed in the suburbs and had a very easy commute into the city. This was the first time we stayed in the trailer in January but it didn't prove to be an issue at all since I had two electric heaters and the on-board propane heater; and really only needed one. The campsite was very comfortable with a patio, fireplace, and relative seclusion. It was especially nice coming home to in the evenings as each night was clear and cool revealing great starry skies. It was also our first camping trip in Pennsylvania and the first of a conceptual "city" camping trip wherein I use the trailer as a base for exploring an urban, as opposed to rural, environment. In every case it worked out for the best.
We drove to Philly on Saturday morning and arrived at the campground at noon. After setting up we went straight to the city with no particular plan. I quickly found parking then went to the National Park Service Visitor Center for maps and a clue. With both in hand we purused the nearby sights then took a carriage ride. The conductor was extremely informative and gave us a relative plan for the rest of our stay and I quickly learned that Philadelphia has a lot to offer in the way of education and history for my son. For some reason I thought it would have only a few things that would be of interest but was truly astounded at the educational value this city offers and resolved instantly that more trips were going to be necessary to give him a well-rounded Philadelphia education. I visited Philadelphia many years ago for a college project but it was a targeted visit and I got from it only what I went for. On this trip I realized the vastness of the city, how it was laid out, and gained a new appreciation for its proximity and offerings. Realizing we wouldn't be able to do a fraction of the things I would have liked to we did a walking tour into the evening then hung out at Starbucks and watched the city denizens. I am still contemplating some of the destitution I saw on this trip and it was more than I have realized. After sleeping well we returned the following day with a plan, the Franklin Institute. Once again I parked quickly, by the Boy Scouts of America building, without knowing, and ironically, then toured the Institute. It was not the quick tour we are accustomed to at the Smithsonian, because we paid to get in and it is not readily accessible, and took up the better part of the day. This museum has a great number of hands-on science exhibits for children and mine touched every one. Within a few hours of interaction and demonstrations he was teaching me things and it was awesome. From there we ate at Whole Foods, the grocery store, which is half way between the Institute and the Rocky Statue. Having had a healthy meal and a break we went to the Rocky Statue where I tried to explain the movie to my son and the significance of the statue. He laughed that so many people took their photo in front of the statue and ran the stairs based on a fictional move; one he had never seen by the way; then we took our photo in front of the statue and ran the stairs. There are unexpected moments I wish I could save and relive - this is in the top 10. We walked back to the Franklin Institue and revisited a few more exhibits then did a park and waterfront driving tour. Although it got down to around 20 degrees overnight we were comfortable and warm and fully aware that our lodging was only $70 for the weekend. I promised my son that when we returned we would watch Rocky to see what all the hype was about and now that I'm done writing that's how we are going to spend the evening.
As a follow up we watched Rocky the evening we returned home and it completed the experience. Watching him enjoy the movie was thrilling for both of us; me, becasue I had forgotten half of it and was seeing it through his eyes, and him, becasue he could identify with the city scenes. When Rocky climbed the stairs during the movie my son was running in place, dancing up and down then commenced to do situps and pushups on the carpet.
