Ruby and Sydney here,
I am so sorry. I know I promised you an update from our most recent weekend road trip and you've been patient. Mom and Dad have FINALLY left us alone so here goes baby.
Our last road trip was to Philadelphia, the City of Brotherly Love, home of Benjamin Franklin, the Declaration of Independence, and of course the Philadelphia Eagles football team. It was just a weekend trip a couple of weeks ago and we had lots of fun and learned a lot. First stop was at Carpenter Hall. I overheard Mom and Dad saying something about the First Continental Congress and 1775. All I know was these cobblestones were really, really cold on my bum and Sydney was looking for squirrels, quite possibly flying squirrels by where she was looking. We thought it was cool, but we were ready to move on.
We wandered up the street and stopped at Independence Hall. This is supposedly where something called the Declaration of Independence was signed and where the Constitution was drafted. Right across the street was a huge bell with a crack in it. We're not sure why you humans would keep a bell with a crack in it, but whatever floats you boat. Because there were so many important things that had happened here, we had a photo taken for our scrapbook.
Mom and Dad took us around to the other side and were talking to one of the Park Rangers. We knew we had to take a few pictures for this posting to Cavalier Talk so we were looking for someone to help. The selection wasn't that good so we finally had to settle on a passing Giant Bull Mastif. I'll have to admit, he was huge and he made Sydney and I nervous. And as you are about to see, he wasn't all that good and didn't seem to be all that bright, but we couldn't be real picky. First picture, he didn't have the flash on and this was the result
After showing him how to turn on the flash, he snapped away and we weren't even ready
Finally, he got it right and we could finally go
However, before we left downtown, let just say one thing, PHILADELPHIA CHEESE STEAK SANDWICH. Oh, My, Gosh. Daddy gave us a teeny tiny bite and it was so good, I think that just for the slightest instant, Sydney and I passed out from the taste. At least I assume we both passed out. Knowing Sydney and I, if one of us had not lost conciousness they would have taken a picture of the one passed out on the sidewalk just for giggles. If you're ever in Philadelphia, GET A CHEESESTEAK. You humans are so lucky, you get to eat a WHOLE sandwich.
After our taste of paradise, we headed back to our hotel room. We stayed at a really nice hotel downtown. We could tell it was nice because the Concierge brought us our own water bowl and offered a doggy bed, but Mom and Dad brought ours, so I tipped him big time - one giant liver treat. You should have seen his face when I put the treat in his hand and slammed the door. He seemed to appreciate it.
Next day we were off on some more sightseeing so we drove out to Valley Forge and man, oh man was it ever REALLY, REALLY COLD and the wind was howling and blowing like a banshee. Mom and Dad put our coats on to keep us warm which helped immensely. We don't often get a chance to wear our coats, we we had to stop and model at the Memorial Arch at Valley Forge National Park.
Sydney had watched the movie "Gone With the Wind" on pay-per-view in the hotel room the night before while Mom and Dad were out eating. In honor of that event she struck her most appropriate Scarlett O'Hara pose and said, "As God as my witness, I'll never be hungry again". I laughed.
Sydney kept telling me to do something funny and she would take my picture, but I was so cold and I just wanted to get back in the car.
But after listening to Mom and Dad talk, this is nothing compared to what is was like during the American Revolution. Seems George Washington and all his troops spent the winter here in 1777. They say it was the coldest winter in memory when they were here. The American’s didn’t have much winter clothes and very little food. Here is an example of one of their huts. I think this cabin was a reproduction, I don't think their huts were nearly this nice.
After that we drove over to the house General Washingtons used as a Headquarters. It was a lot nicer than the huts but then again he was the General. It nice to be the general. I took pictures of the inside but Sydney and I weren't in them so I didn't think you would be interested.
After that it was time to get back in the car and head home to Virginia. We had a good time telling you about our most recent adventure and we can't wait to go on our next road trip. Mom and Dad haven't told us where we might be heading off to, but when we get back we'll give you a complete update.
Ruby and Sydney in Virginia