Lesser Known Philly

This Summer one of my best friends invited me to meet up in Philly. He spends many of his work days in the center of the city and I was living nearby in Carbon County. We decided to meet up when he and his team finished for the day.

      I arrived early since I was on vacation and I decided I would park for free in Philly and leisurely walk toward my friend.  I found a place in Fairmount Park at the entrance of the Sedgley Woods Disc Golf course. I illegally crossed Route 13 on my way out , but that was the only time I was without a pedestrian path.

      I walked a quarter mile through Breweryton and then wove my way into another section of Fairmount Park. It is massive! I saw open access basketball courts, a playground, and a historic building called Lemon Hill Mansion.  As I sauntered along I found myself at the building side of Boathouse Row.  For decades we had past this landmark on the highway and Dad had pointed it out as a symbol of Philadelphia.  I walked towards the student buildings and the boats on the dock.  I looked across the Schuylkill river just to make sure I had my bearings.  It was true.  I was on the boatside of Boathouse Row, looking into the city of my childhood roadtrips.  

     As I continued walking I arrived to the Philadelphia Art Museum, but at the rear facing gardens! People usually miss this area since the main entrance is on the opposite end of the massive city building.  There was an azalea garden and a number of well kept plants.  Between the plants and the museum were a surprising number of free two hour parking places.  I walked where my eyes called me, passing a few feet farther from the museum and towards some pretty pavilions.  As I walked with the museum on my left and the Schuylkill on my right, I entered the first one that called out to me.  It is the Mercury Pavilion and it gave me a wonderful now elevated view of Boathouse row.  

     I continued past the museums and found myself on a well kept paved walking path.  I passed an open entry skate park on my left and later my path afforded a distant view of Drexel U and 30th street station.  The path was long and leisurely, usually following the river.  I noticed a simple set of free bathrooms.  Simple, with no sink, but ready if someone were to need them.  

I exited the path near 24th street to look for Nate and I found a few more beautiful buildings as we prepared to meet.  There was the parish house of the First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia.  It looked ancient and strong in the bustling city.  I continued along and saw what looked like a castle!  On the sides of the buildings were signs that parking was restricted to military participants.  When I found a sign for the mysterious and massive building, I learned that it is the home of the FIrst Troop Philadelphia City Calvary.   This troop is the oldest mounted military unit in the USA.  More information can be found here  Hidden City Philadelphia  .  To the left of this beautiful structure was the Red Cross in a building labeled as their Scientific Building.  

Here I met Nate, one my best friends and a longtime adventure partner.  We had a blast catching up on life and looking through the city.  We returned to the Schuylkill River Trail on the portion I had not finished.  We followed the river until we reached the CHOP Roberts Center for Pediatric Research.  Here we exited and started a stroll down South Street.  We laughed to realize I am on the cusp of trying to do what Nate has been living for the past decade - start a family, find a place to live, make a life with his wife and kids.  We past Mom Mom’s Kitchen, which almost won us over with the name.  We continued onward, looking for some delicious cheesesteaks Nate had recommended.  

In the end we stopped early and ducked into the PHS Pop Up Garden.  It was a beautiful sheltered outdoor venue and the whole place felt like peace and relaxation. I enjoyed a “summer tomato sandwich” and a cucumber tonic while we continued to catch up on each other’s recent experiences.  

This was an amazing day in the city!  The company was fantastic and the route was splendid.  The light, delicious meal finished off the trip perfectly.  As we made our way back to the cars, my heart was happy.  I hope it is not long until we can repeat the experience.