Crazy art

This is a picture inside the comcast building in Philadelphia. I watched this building being built when I used to work across the street. The first time I saw the "people" walking on the beams, I thought they were real. They are not. The inside of the building is pretty cool (and it has a great food court). They have about 15 very large screens (together about three stories tall and the width of the building) that appear to be wood grain but they are really tv screens. They broadcast cool artsy high def content that mesmerizes tourists and locals alike.

Rocky!

No trip to Philadelphia is complete without a visit to see Rocky and a run up the steps of the Art Museum. The blue and yellow flag is the flag of Philadelphia. It's sort of cool, but not as cool as the flag for Chicago. Point Chicago.

Philly 8; Chicago 4.

Sunset

While waiting to get my hair cut in Manayunk, I walked along the old canal towpath. They created a rails to trails running / walking path along the towpath. It's nice, but it's also lined with some old dilapidated buildings. Fortunately, the pretty sunset obscures these buildings along the west (left) bank and around the bend.

Wissahickon

This is a not so great photo of a great place to run just outside of Philly. I used to make the short drive out to the Wissahickon with Inde. We'd jog into the park and up onto the singletrack, where I'd let Inde off the leash. She loved it! She would run ahead of me then race back to me, so it was like she was running twice the distance! The trail took us down along the creek and on warm days she would jump in for a swim. Even though I like running at Argonne outside of Chicago, this run is a little more spectacular - steep hills on either side of a creek with cute stone bridges every half mile or so. I miss running in the Wissahickon. I like Argonne, but it's more crowded and just not quite as beautiful. Point Philly.

Philly 8; Chicago 3.

Goofy dog

This dog looked goofy and acted goofy. I saw him while I was waiting for the 48 bus in my old hood.

Best city brewery

Yards is a brewery located in an old skate park in the city. I toured the brewery when I was out there in January on my unemployment trip. They make great beer, give a good tour and have won an award for being a green brewery. I enjoy the Brawler and the Thomas Jefferson Ale. Yum. In my opinion, Chicago does not have a brewery close to Yards. Point Philly. Clearly. Philly 7, Chicago 3. I wonder if there is a mercy rule.

Full moon

I know I love a lot about Philly, but this is possibly my favorite fountain in Philly. This is Logan Square, which is actually a circle. A few years ago they had to cut down all the hundred year old trees in the square because they had caught some rare tree disease and the city did not want it to spread to the trees lining the Ben Franklin Parkway (to the art museum). I remember how naked the fountain looked after the trees were removed. The city put in a lot of low shrubs and flowers and the square looks amazing. On the east entrance to the square there is a bronze plaque that tells the history of the square - which was used as a place for hangings. It was also a burial place for victims of yellow fever. Strange that a place with such a dark history is now so light and beautiful.

I love to look through the fountain, west up the Ben Franklin Parkway to the art museum. I give this fountain a slight edge over the Buckingham Fountain, but not enough to award any points.

Ears for sale

One of my favorite places in Philly is Reading Terminal Market. I think I went there three times when I lived in Philly and every time that I have gone back to visit! At the market you can buy fresh vegetables, pastries, crepes, fish, meat and chocolates, among other things. This store had some crazy things, including these chocolate ears. Maybe we can give one to George Weasley.

Don't Mess with City Hall

This is a picture of City Hall in Philadelphia. On top is a statue of William Penn. This was the view from my office when I lived and worked in Philly. I would give Philly a point for this because the building is much cooler looking than the Daley Center, but the Daley Center has two things going for it: (1) the Daley Center is air conditioned (City Hall has window units); and (2) the view from the top of the Daley Center is amazing - the lake and the skyline. I think this comes out a wash. No points, even after discounting Philly for that giant clothespin.