On to New Jersey

After driving back to NC, we saw Al again, hooked onto our trailer and met Pete and Suzy to continue our trip.  We stayed in Front Royale, VA, one night.  Then, we rolled through West Virginia (23 miles) and Maryland (12 miles) on Hwy 81.  We have been to West Virginia previously so we have counted it as a state we have seen.  But, here's the debate.  Since Maryland was only 12 miles wide and we didn't even stop, does it qualify as a state we have seen?  Do you need to eat a meal in it, stay over night, stop at the welcome center or drive so many miles through it?  Let me know what you think? 

We did get a picture of the welcome sign for Maryland.

We traveled through Pennsylvania on their turnpike.  We expected a turnpike to be this amazing highway.  Well, we were able to travel quickly but the roads were a little bumpy.  It went thump, thump, thump.  We got through Philadelphia during rush with no problems.  As we traveled from west to east in Pennsylvania, we saw a lot of farms.

Loved the billboard ad.

Here's the Delaware River as we crossed into New Jersey.

Another welcome sign.  Our destination of New Jersey was to visit family.  Bill's 2nd cousin, Sonja, and her husband, Kent Hardwick live in a beautiful community - Medford Lakes.  We parked our RV's in their driveway and enjoyed a very nice weekend with them and their family.

Here's there log home that they built from a kit about 18 years ago shortly after they were married.

Good looking couple and very, very hospitable.

Here's their oldest son, Tre, getting ready for school.

Here's T.J. preparing for his day.  Next to him, is their lovable retriever, Squirmey.  Their daughter, Tiel, was already at school but we have a picture of her when we went to Philly.

This is one of the beautiful lakes in the community where they live.

This isn't a gimmick.  The canoe was actually wrapped around this tree during a major flood.  Let's just say that the community decided to leave it there for a momento.

The homes are required by the covenants to be similar to the log home styles.

Even the community hall has the same style.  This area started out as summer homes but now almost all of the residents are full time.

Here is an old mill.  One of the older buildings in this area.

Not very far from Medford Lakes there are some homes owned by some of the Philadelphia Eagles players.  This one is owned by one of the Eagle's kickers.

We are getting ready to do some sightseeing in Philly.  The little girl is Logan, a daughter of friends.  Then there is Tiel, Kent and Sonja's daughter.  The handsoome boy is Tre.

Here we are by the Liberty Bell.  We are seeing so many awesome historical things.

Loved this picture of the Liberty Bell with Independence Hall behind it.  Lots of people taking pictures.

Independence Hall where history was made for the United States.  Independence Hall is actually the Pennsylvania State House used by Pennsylvania for their legislative meetings.  The only time it was used by the US Congress was when they drafted and signed the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

In the court room, this box was where the defendant stood during the trial.  This may have been why we now say a person is standing trial.

I got this picture of this painting depicting Congress in the assembly room of Independence Hall but when we actually got to the assembly room, my camera battery went dead.  Bummer.  (New battery or new camera????)

We ended this full day (Mother's Day) by going to a park near an art museum.  It was beautiful but a bit chilly.  The kids and dads had fun playing ball, etc.  There were hoagies and other good things to eat.  We enjoyed meeting more of Kent's family.  Thanks to Kent's mother, Marilyn, who acted as tour guide in Philly and Sonja, who bravely and capably drove the busy streets.  Oh, Kent picked up some Philly cheese steak sandwiches on the way home and there is no way to describe how delicious they were.

Here's our RV's by their home.  We so enjoyed this visit and we hope to see all of them again soon.