From coast to coast us Calisoffs travelled. Home for a few days after California then in to the minivan for an adventure east.
First we stopped in Pittsburgh for an over night stay and dinner at our favorite Pittsburgh restaurant, Burgatory.
In fact, spolier alert, this trip included a lot of eating! For breakfast we stopped by P&G Pamela’s Diner. It was another great meal, which led us to the next food fest was a stop at Hershey.
Here we got MORE milkshakes, lots of candy, clothing, and stuffed animals.
Next stop, Philadelphia! We got a quick glance at the Liberty bell. Did you know that the bell cracked in its first use and even after multiple repairs it never really worked again. Yet despite it’s flaws it became a symbol of America. While we dined on homemade pasta at Spasso laster that evening, we joked how something so flawed could symbolize our country so absolutely, and what this said about America.
The next day we walked over 30,000 steps, traversing the city from Penn’s Landing on the Delaware River to the Philadelphia Museum of Art and down to South Philadelphia to Pat’s King of Steaks for their famous Philly Cheesesteaks.
Aaron made this video of us running the Rocky Steps at the Museum of Art.
No trip to Philly would be complete without trying the cheesesteaks! This was my first one. Did you know they serve them with Cheese Whiz as a topping?!
But these culinary adventures were just the beginning. The next stop was New York City.
We arrived in time for a late dinner of Famous Original Ray’s Pizza.
After all that gluten, you’d think we would be too stuffed to eat more but we managed to find more room when we passed the HOT DONUTS NOW sign at Krispy Kreme.
Adam went crazy and got the kids expensive New York Apple Donuts. They were so special that when you buy them, the entire staff give you a cheer.
The next day we started the morning with New York Style Bagels at Liberty Bagels. They had so many different bagels and smears! It was a lot of fun to order.
Afterwards, we went to see the 9/11 Memorial and Museum. I was living in Hong Kong when it happened and after moving back to the United States and talking to people about their experiences, I’ve come to realize I missed a real moment in American History.
Because of this I’m really glad we saw the museum and not just the memorial fountain. After all, the kids were not alive during this moment either. I didn’t take any pictures but there was one moment, when you first walk into the museum, where they show the faces of everyone watching the towers fall that put a lump in my throat. To see something like that first hand must have changed those people forever.
Then it was time for a New York style Deli. We ordered Matzo Ball soup and Pastrami at Friedmans. We also went to see The Fantastic Four First Steps that evening.
The next day we explored Central Park.
That evening we booked a special dinner for Ben’s birthday. His birthday was a month ago but he did not get a special dinner because there was a track meet that night.
We also got another dinner in Din Tai Fong. Yes they opened on in NYC recently. Twice in one month I got to eat at my favorite restaurant in Asia!
We also booked a show – The Book of Mormon. It was hilarious and the boys thought it was really good. There were a lot of naughty language and some adult themes and I did notice we were the only one with two 13 years olds in the crowd, but I think the boys were mature enough to handle it.
Finally on the last day we met up with my friend Greg for a quick breakfast. It was really nice to see him in person and catch up. I love all our group texts but it doesn’t replace a face to face hang out.
It was another fun vacation. The kids really enjoyed it and at the same time after all that travel, they are enjoying being back in the comfort of their own home.
In a week, school starts for the twins and then soon after we drop Jack off at college.
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