The day dawned cloudy but still cool and there was a clear plan today – complete the Pilgrimage to Joe Frazier’s gym as planned 18 months ago. Speaking to my Urban Adventure guide on Saturday night he suggested having lived here 20 years he would not venture out to that neighbourhood alone. Pussy. I left some cash at home and a few cards in case I got robbed and headed off. So first things first had to find the subway station and see how the ticketing works. The Broad Street line was the go and entered on 8th and Market. Knew I wanted northbound to Fern St but my ticket machine did not have that destination but still figured the $6 all day ticket would work. It would have if wanted to travel on the PATCO line! Went up to the “No help at all actually” desk and politely enquired what do I need to go to Nth Philly station and return today? ” A train would help I imagine” . Everyone is a smart ass. ” Two tokens, buy them at machine around the corner from the PATCO machine!” Ok, easy enough and train arrived in a minute. This was the Broad Street Spur line and does not stop at all stops, but did at mine luckily. As approached station the conductor added with glee – ” this station is wheelchair accessible ” , almost as if I may need it later . Got off train at 10 am – and the place was deserted . As was the concourse leading to the street. Ok that was a tad scary. I can deal with the great unwashed above ground but deserted subway stations not so much. Made it to street level and in first knob kiss for the day, the gym was just across the road. Photos duly taken and a sense of accomplishment achieved. As a boy growing up in the early 70’s two titans ruled the sporting world like no other and now had at last visited one memorable site. R.I.P. Smoking Joe. It is great news to see that a statue of Frazier has finally been commissioned and will be unveiled next Spring. And not next to Rocky , thank me.
http://www.joefrazier.com/home
So quickly back down to subway and noted no token slot, only card swipe! A helpful passenger walked by and explained tokens were only accepted at the Lehigh Dt entrance 4 blocks away. Ok, back to the hood! Anyway got there, onto train and dropped back where it all started. Now on Saturday night when had said had not been impressed with Reading Terminal Market, almost in unison the Yanks said “you have to try Beiler’s Donuts” . Ok, no aversion to some sweet stuff. Can now safely report that American taste in donuts equals that in coffee!
Other plan for day was visit Franklin Institue. I had heard there was a display on at present called “The Art of the Prick” and was supposed to be the biggest on display. This I had to see. CNN called it a top 10 must visit exhibit. I was on JFK Bvld and knew if headed in general direction of Art Museum would come across the Franklin first so headed off in general direction. After a rather long walk I finally saw the columns I had been looking for but alas no big sign draped out about the exhibit I had seen previously. Had the big “Art of the Prick” sign been blown away, so to speak? Ah, so that is actually 30 th Street Station I am walking towards. Good news, bad news. Display likely still on, but now had to walk another couple of k. Eventually approached and realised as I walked up the steps that it was actually “The Art of the Brick” which now made more sense. It was a rather stunning display of Lego used to recreate many iconic structures and images and travels around the world. In fact the whole Franklin Institute was brilliant and if you are in Philly and have kids it is a must see. The multi level display just on ” How the Brain Works” would amuse for hours. It was a bit rude that next to that massive display there was a small closet off to the side labelled “How your brain works after Alcohol”. Harsh but fair
https://www.fi.edu/exhibit/art-brick
Yesterday on Segway had learnt about the 4 squares of Philly. Today I walked the bloody circle! By now it was quite warm and I was feeling more like “Yacooked of the Near North”. Time to head home and relax and catch up on The Good Wife. For the first time on holiday it was 11 degrees both here and at home in Maryhole where it was 2 am admittedly. Could only mean one thing. Time for jammies and a lie down. Will head out for a beer and some dinner later on and then plan the last full day in Philly.
flashman181 