Roxanne and Jack in Philly!

As promised, here is a photo collection from our weekend with Roxanne and Jack in Philly. (Copyright, Jack and Roxanne. For a full report, visit their blog --linked below.) Here we are with our friends Ping and Laurel, who joined us for drinks after dinner. (Happy Birthday, Laurel!) I'm not sure why Russ is praying or whom he's praying to...

On the way to the bar, we walked past Independence Hall, which was the U.S. capital for 10 years while the White House was being built. It's also where the Declaration of Independence was debated and signed, George Washington was sworn in as president, the Liberty Bell hung in the bell tower before it cracked, and Nicolas Cage vandalized the rooftop in search of clues. We took the tour inside the buildings later that weekend.

The next day, we went to the source of all things cheesy, Geno's Steaks in South Philly. It's the real deal (just like the gigantic cheesesteak at the top of their signage indicates). Here are Jack and Roxanne, eagerly anticipating their cheesesteaks.

We did some sightseeing that afternoon: we saw the Liberty Bell and the Mutter Museum (a medical museum) and we walked around Old City, the historic district of Philly. Because it was "nice" outside (probably "cold" to our Texan friends), we had dinner at the Jamaican Jerk Hut, one of our favorite BYOBs where we can pretend we're in Jamaica. We brought our own rum and beers and thoroughly enjoyed the authentic Jamaican food. We proceeded to Bob and Barbara's, one of the best dive bars in town. It's a shrine to everything PBR, as you can see below. I'm not sure I like how women come off in this one...

Russ knows that I never nag...

On Sunday we did a bit more sightseeing, toured Independence Hall, walked along the Schuykill River path, Jack ran up the art museum steps ala Rocky, and love blossomed at Love Park. It was a wonderful weekend with our friends -- Philly loves you! Come back soon!