February 22, 2009

The Franklinstein Institute

We had our friend's son for a long weekend. On Friday, Junior Birdman and I went into Philadelphia to the Franklin Institute. Jr. Bridman calls it the Franklinstein Institute. I think he might be right as quite a few of the interactive exhibits weren't working.

Our journey consisted of taking two trains each way. The first train is a light rail line that goes along towns on the Delaware River in NJ. In Camden (yes, Camden) we change to the High Speed train that takes us into Philadelphia, about a 15 minute walk from the Franklinstein. It was a much longer walk on Friday as it was quite cold and blustery. We made it with about twenty minutes to spare before the start of the IMAX show about the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon which Jr. Birdman's family and my family went to see in November of '07. It was a great movie and he was on the end of his seat.

After the movie, we wandered around the exhibits, many of which are hands on. We walked through the model of the human heart (I didn't panic too much - I'm very claustrophobic), checked out the aviation exhibits and finally had lunch. After lunch we checked out the gift shop where he proved to be a prudent shopper. I tried to talk him into a Male Nurse Action figure for his mom, Nurse Nancy, but he wouldn't bite. I don't know how he could have resisted this studly action figure (sorry Nurse Nancy and Mrs. B - he won't be gracing your office - yet!):



For the record, he didn't bite on the Ben Franklin(stein), Leonardo DaVinci, Albert Einstein or Vincent Van Gogh figures either. He did, however, purchase a water bottle, a locomotive note pad and some freeze dried astronaut ice cream.

When we left, the sky was host to several news helicopters, as the Cathedral Basilica of Sts. Peter and Paul, across the square from the Franklin Institute, was the site of a funeral for yet another Philadelphia Police officer who was killed in the line of duty. We voiced our respects to an officer who was directing traffic and hurried on our way to the train station.

It was a fun day. I love having Jr. Birdman for his annual visit. And today, he went home and our house is quiet again, reminding me how much I miss my son.

5 comments:

Mental P Mama said...

What a wonderful time. I love that nurseman. He's cute;)

Anonymous said...

Oh my, if I had any idea he was so cute, I would have traveled to Franklinstein myself! Our office could use a little testosterone. By the way, the chocolate/chocolate chip ice cream received a rousing thumbs up (freeze dried and all...ugh). Thanks for showing our dude a great time. Nurse Nancy

Barb Szyszkiewicz said...

Sounds like a good time was had by all. Hey, did you check out my favorite Camden train-stop attraction: the combo day car/bail bond place?

Barb Szyszkiewicz said...

On second thought, Junior Birdman might not be old enough to appreciate the humor behind that particular Camden attraction.

abb said...

Sounds like you all had a blast! I really would have liked that nurse gracing our HO suite. He would have added some much needed atmosphere!