Leaving Maryland - Liberty Bell

We were done with class by around 10am on the Friday. I called my best friend in Oregon, who was just getting out the door - to go to work. I was like, Been up - Had Starbucks - Had breakfast - Finished a module - Took a test.... glad you are starting your day!

As I have mentioned before, nothing was really opening for the season yet. The nail spa right across the street was just opening that Friday afternoon. I called my coworker to see if she wanted to go. We got there at 11, and got OUT OF THERE at 530.... What a mess that was. Then when my daughter saw my nails, when I got home - she say "oh, those are terrible". Thanks - working on it!

Went and had dinner at a place called Coins, probably the best food I had all week!

The plan was to leave the hotel Saturday morning around 8am.

My alarm goes off at 630am on Saturday. I do my typical 'snooze' - then this car alarm goes off about 10 minuets later. It continues to go off, I am pretty patient when it comes to waiting out a noise vs getting out of bed. After 10 minuets or so I go to look out the balcony - I was one floor above registration - thinking there was a vehicle parked there and the damn alarm was going off. Nothing in the parking lot, in fact, the noise isn't coming from outside - it is coming from the hallway??? I open the door and stick my head out to look down the hall. No one in the hall way, no flashing lights, just loud car alarm sounding thing. Hummm, pondering next move - pacing, pacing - make coffee.

Look out of the balcony again, cops are arriving, random cars with flashers on, all sorts of activity outside. Look back out in the hall - nothing. Humm, get a cup of coffee and cigarette - head back to the balcony...

Aaahhhhhhhh fire trucks arriving! Ok, I get it now!!!! The fire alarm sounds like a car alarm - you'd think this would be described at check-in. This has now gone on for about 20 minuets and no one knocked on the door, no announcement on the intercom, or phone call - people gathering in the parking lot. Put on flip flops, and a sweatshirt (over my cute pink Jammie's) and head to parking lot. I text my coworker "you outside in your Jammie's?" I get a "NOPE", "ok, well I am". I was outside for no more than 5 minuets - when they said we could go back in. No explanation - no problems????

Since we flew into Philadelphia (there are no large airports nearby) I wanted to see the Liberty Bell before we left. My flight was at 2pm, we would have about a 3 hour drive - plenty of time. The fire/car alarm did put a crimp in the leaving by 8am, but still do-able.

We drove up the Maryland peninsula into Delaware and then into Pennsylvania. Thanks to the gps system in the rental car. We arrived downtown Philadelphia around 11am. This is the entrance to old town and the historic section.

Market Street.

We found a parking garage a block away from the Liberty Bell Center. 1 hour of parking $10 - I didn't think that was a deal, but it was all that was available.

No charge to get into the Liberty Bell, there are all sorts of walking tours in that area. Into the Independence Hall, where the Declaration of Independence was signed. The first Congressional Hall - those were all by ticket and time constraints. I just wanted to see the BELL....

Inside - then the view from outside/in

Been There - Done That - I'm Happy!!! I have seen the Liberty Bell before. It was in 1978 the summer before starting high school. I went on a trip to the East Coast and all the historic and current landmarks. However, when we were in Philadelphia my allergies were so bad I could hardly stand to be outside. My eyes would immediate swell and burn like fire. So I don't remember much about that area. I was reminded by my best friend that when we went on that trip - Philadelphia was when my hair started to turn neon green from being in the swimming pools with all the chlorine. I came home looking like - what now might be considered punk rock trendy!

We got out of the area with only a slight amount of anxiety. We were almost out of gas! I programed the gps for the nearest gas station. With the one way streets and around and around, we finally made it. CLOSED... pumps had pad locks on them. I was starting to wonder if Hertz would come rescue us, or if AAA would work? Programed the gps for the next nearest gas station - back we went to where we started, over an over pass - kewl looking statue of colonial people landing in a boat - think we are missing something here - but, need gas! Back around the Liberty Bell, I am taking pictures out the car window like a Japanese tourist. Hey, its neat stuff! Beautiful buildings and landscaping. Found the OPEN gas station, and off to the airport we went. That all worked out well. Turned the car in and caught the shuttle to the airport - baggage checked in. Signs about the Swine Flu, but no additional questioning or strip searches.

On the plane - ready to head home, one stop in Minneapolis. After they close the door and have everyone shut off their cell phones, they make an announcement. Seems there is a small white suitcase - metal, not a carry on looking one, unclaimed sitting at the door of the air plane. They announce someone needs to claim this suitcase and walk up and down the aisle in display. No takers. They make the announcement again, and again they walk up and down the aisle to display said suitcase. We are now taxiing to the run way. No takers. They place the suitcase in where the flight attendants hang out in first class. Great! what is up with this? No worries, we take off. No explosions, no one claimed the bag - guess it was a good day to leave unclaimed baggage - thanks again TSA!