Most of the NJ family thought I was a bit crazy for driving all the way to central NY and back to Mullica Hill in one day. Most of the West Coast family did too, but they're used to these sort of endeavors from me. 4:30am came and when the day dawned I was greeted with a BEAUTIFUL drive. Central PA and NY are beautiful areas of the country. I heard from more than one NY native that so few people realize how beautiful Central NY is, and they prefer it that way. I would love to drive up I-476 and I-81 again in the fall when the leaf colors are exploding.
On the way back from Baldwinsville, NY, I stopped at the Steamtown National Historic site in Scranton, PA (also the home of Arlen Specter, whose office I saw) to see the steam engines used in Pennsylvania's coal and passenger industry. Frankly, it rated nowhere near as high as a battlefield would have, but I took the opportunity to work on my photography. Scranton-Wilkes Barre are two neat cities nestled in the deciduous mountains of PA.
A wrong turn near Philadelphia took me near the Brandywine Battlefield. Dad mentioned that Revolutionary battlefields are somewhat forgotten in comparison to Civil War fields due to the length of conflict, size of battlefields, and the encroachment of modernity. I agree.
Friday night's dinner was Uncle Butch's WONDERFUL sausage and marinara dish. We have
a similar item native to Chicago, prepared a bit differently. But I thoroughly enjoyed his creation. Also, the Weilands and Edelmans came over to visit. I was struck by the similarity of the Butch Kingett and Janet Campbell families as we sat around the table laughing, looking at old pictures, telling jokes (especially Jack).It felt like "home".
Saturday August, 20th
Saturday morning Uncle Butch was kind enough to drive me to the old haunts: Clementon, Lindenwold, etc. I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Albert's Condo, Grandma and Uncle Butch's HS and home, the site of the family slaughter house. As a matter of fact, the view of Philadelphia in the picture in the previous post was from the ground that my great-grandfather owned. He had plans to build a house on this site, with THAT view. Imagine that with a sunset mixed in. Next we got to see cousin Jessica's horsevaulting practice. She's a little pistol. A
sport like horsevaulting is perfect for a beautiful little girl of her disposition. I am quite convinced that although the animals upon which she "vaults" are so huge; they'd never be able to get the best of her. The Weilands were a blessing to meet. They're people you'd want to live closer to. After a relaxing afternoon and a second round of stromboli and Uncle Butch's marinara sausage; we visited some more (mostly about Beagles and their strange habits) and
then it was off to Independence Mall. Now THIS was a beautiful part of Philadelphia. Although I didn't have time to go through 9/11 security and see the Liberty Bell or walk on the same side of the street as Independence Hall; I got close enough to these things to almost see, touch, and hear the freedom our forefather's knew. Their time was not an easy or quick one, and they had much at stake. Yet here we all are. I also
enjoyed seeing Bookbinders. This restaurant has some family significance in that the Kingett family would attend UPenn football games on Saturdays and then go to
Bookbinders in suit and tie for the post-game meal. And I'm quite convinced now that we should reinstitute the tradition of wearing suits and ties to football games. It could qualify as church if the Cougars are winning. All in all, the trip to Philadelphia, New York, and New Jersey was a great memory.
4 comments:
Now, some of y'all Yankees have forgotten basics manners and, ah, appropriate dress while visiting the local fields of sport, but we Virginians, at least those of us at dear ol' W&L (not-so-proud alma mater of, ah, the Reverend Robertson) still wear coat and tie for the football festivities. When we go to them. Which is not often.
I can't believe you admitted, to those of us who don't know, that the Right Reverend was YOURS..sheesh.
Bookbinders is the best seafood restaurant I've ever been to.
I could hardly recognize my old home -- the trees were a bit smaller then!
Glad you enjoyed the Kingett side of my family. I wish you could have met YOUR great grandparents.
Love,
Grandmom Kingett-Campbell
Horse vaulting is a wonderful sport. It is not very well known outside of the Bay area of California so it was with great interest that I read your piece about Jessica.
Lovely.
To learn more about the gentle horses used in vaulting and about the sport of vaulting go to americanvaulting.org and to sundancevaultingclub.blogspot.com
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