A Flag

Here is the original “Navy Jack,” that is the flag flown aboard ships of the US Navy even before there was, officially, a United States of America.

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Some people confuse this flag with the Gadsden Flag, which is the yellow one bearing the coiled rattlesnake and the same motto. The rattlesnake was a popular symbol leading up to the American Revolution. Nonetheless, the Navy Jack was instituted by Commodore Esek Hopkins who was assembling the first ships of the Continental Navy in Philadelphia, on the Delaware River. He gave instructions for the design of the flag and it soon appeared on those vessels.

In the present day, I find this flag an enduring symbol of the times to come.

Published in: on November 6, 2008 at 11:37 am  Leave a Comment  
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New Hope & Ivyland Railroad

The New Hope & Ivyland Railroad is another piece of living history. It is a tourist train that carries passengers from New Hope, Pennsylvania to Lhaska, several miles away. I’m not positive, but I think the line was originally part of the old Reading Railroad.

This isn’t my greatest photo of No. 4, which was built by the Baldwin Locomotive Works many years ago. I actually have some very nice black and white photos of this engine and her tender in both black and white and color. I took them back when I used Hasselbalds and large format cameras. The prints hang on the walls of my house. Take a look at the engineer; he certainly looks the part. I have to get a hat like that.

The last few weeks the train has been running steadily, giving people great views of the fall foliage and pumpkin patches set up for children. New Hope itself is a fun town with plenty of good restaurants, odd shops, and dinner theaters. It gets crowded on the weekends.

Published in: on October 30, 2008 at 12:56 am  Leave a Comment  
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Bistro Juliana, Philadelphia

Bistro Juliana, located on the edge of a neighborhood known as Fishtown, serves a fantastic lunch. The restaurant is owned by people who have another establishment near the center of Philadelphia.

As you can see from the street signs, this place is locate at the corner of Cumberland and Salmon Streets. There is parking across the street. What about the food? Well, the menu is Italian. For lunch I had the homemade ravioli with veal sausage. Excellent. And, the price was a mere $8.50. Some fast food meals cost nearly that much and are nothing compared to a nice sit down lunch here.

When in Philadelphia and in need for a pleasant and affordable, high-quality lunch, give this place a try. You won’t be disappointed. Spanish is also spoken, which helps a bloke like me work on his multi-lingual skills.

Published in: on October 11, 2008 at 1:04 pm  Leave a Comment  
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Amada Restaurant, Philadelphia

For a fantastic version of tapas, try Amada, a restaurant in Philadelphia. I’ve had many great meals here, both lunch and supper. The service is always outstanding. The wine list very good as well.

Reservations are a must on most evenings, especially at the weekend. The place can be quite crowded, just like those tapas places in Spain. The menu ranges from the thinly sliced ham and manchego cheese to creatively seasoned meats on skewers, to specials like an empanada that my wife wishes was permanently on the menu. Don’t forget the wine! The sangria is tasty, the Albariño’s refreshing, and there are many to choose from. This is a “don’t miss” type of place if you’re in Philadelphia.

Published in: on September 26, 2008 at 7:37 pm  Leave a Comment  
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