Mara's Adventures – Living the Volunteer Dream

Week #3: Hard to believe I have been in Philly three weeks now. It’s starting to feel very comfortable!

This week felt like a great week. The weather was pretty good. We had a couple really warm and humid days and then we had a breezy and cooler Monday this week that made up for those hot days. It was just beautiful. Everyone was full of smiles!

Independence Square leads to Washington Square

In 1776, it became the final resting place for Washington‘s fallen soldiers. Long mass grave trenches the width of the square were first dug along 7th and Walnut Streets, and were eventually expanded to the South side. And during the British occupation of Philadelphia in 1777, the dead from the neighboring Walnut Street Jail were also interred here. Many victims of the city’s yellow fever epidemic of 1793were interred here, and the square was also used for cattle markets and camp meetings.

The tomb of the unknown revolutionary war soldier lies in Washington Square.

I was on my own this week. I had my own schedule and I knew where all the places were that I was assigned. My anxieties were calmed and I was familiar with what was expected of me. YEAH! Happy days are here again!

This is one day’s schedule. We move around often. And it keeps us fresh for the visitors!

Opened BFM (Ben Franklin Museum) a few days and assisted with Visitor Center other days. I worked the EW (East Wing) Line which is the line of people waiting to get in for their tour of Independence Hall. It can be stressful because many of the folks do not check this out before they arrive and are disappointed to learn the tickets have sold out. I feel for them, as do all of the rangers, but a 300 year old historical building can only sustain so much and someone has to be the bearer of that bad news when they did not get their tickets in advance.

To celebrate the 250^th all tickets to Independence Hall will be free July 2, 3, and 4 so it will be first come, first serve. They will be free again on July 14 to celebrate the Major League Baseball All Star day! These free days will be a real challenge for all of the staff here who work the line and give the tours.

Our National Park Rangers work very hard. Many of them have their masters degrees in history. Anytime you pop in to one of our great parks, make certain you thank these Rangers for their service. They deserve it!

This week I had some time to relax and get to know some of our rangers. Maggie is the Ranger from San Antonio Missions who moved to Philadelphia a couple years back. She was the VIP Coordinator and did a great job in San Antonio. We have missed her there. But here she is in Independence Park and I am thrilled to hear that great laugh of hers again!

Maggie and Mara in Congress Hall for Morning Briefing.

Maggie working the Ben Franklin print shop. Her favorite place to work! She is my Ranger of the week.

This week, even though I was busier and more on my own, did not seem as long between days off. I continue to learn about different things but just small amounts that I can absorb in small bites of time. No more falls but I will say I now walk with one eye on the sidewalk watching for uneven squares on the sidewalk and things I might stumble over. So one eye forward and one eye downward. That might seem weird and I’m sure it looks weird. But I smile and say good morning anyway and some folks smile back; others look at me a little oddly!

Many days I walk through Chinatown on my way to work. I’ve gotten a bit braver about changing my walking route and have various ways to get to and from the park. Each way has a little different appearance but all are full of very old buildings and streets and most are very clean. The city seems to work hard at picking up trash and the citizens as well but it feels to me like there are many homeless people filling some of the nooks and crannies. I will admit it only seems to take one to feel like many. I hate seeing folks living on the streets and in such bad health, regardless of where it comes from. I’m sure drugs play a good part of many of these folks lives and that is just so very sad. I hate it but I still look them in the eye and say Hello with a smile when I can. We should never forget how difficult life can be for some and how grateful we should be for the good we have in our lives.

Grandson Thomas was here this past weekend and he and Melissa had a great time. He walked me to work both days so we had some personal visiting time as well. Being with our grandkids as they grow up is a wonderful time but becoming friends with them as adults is even better. I loved that he came to see me and he and his mom spent a day at the park visiting the different sites and especially the ones where I work.

FIFA fans were out in full swing this week as FunFest opened June 11 and the first soccer game playing on June 14.

Not sure what Juneteenth celebration will be like here but I’ll celebrate as it is also my birthday. I work that day but Melissa and I will go out for dinner for sure. And daughter Jen sent a package for me that I will open that evening. Hard to believe it will be my 77^th this year. Life has been very good to me!

For those of you thinking of making a visit, I would love to see you. This week we will be moving out of the penthouse on the top floor to the studio in the basement. It is a one room with a murphy bed and no couch. We are in what is classified as “Midtown” or “Center City”. Hotels downtown are expensive due to the soccer fans and the 250^th. There are ones that are reasonably priced but you must really search for them. Also, getting around can be a workout. Melissa and I normally walk but we also have bus passes that are free for seniors. We really don’t go out at night (after 8:00 pm) and feel very safe when we are out. My days off are Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Most museums are closed on Monday and some also on Mondays through Thursdays. I will be here for you in any way I can but wanted you to know some of the challenges you might face. Uber and Lyft are readily available as well. And hotels in New Jersey are said to be less expensive but farther away. I have not ventured across the water yet. As you might imagine, my first priority is the national park and the work I do there. Once I get that mastered I will venture out to see more of the sites. If any of you would like to share a few days with me I’d love to have you.

Several of you have sent a note about a mailing address. I’ve not had great luck with that and would suggest you simply email or text me. If you have something you need to mail to me let me know and I’ll get you Melissa’s work address.

You all know how much I love all dogs. Yesterday as I was leaving the park I met a family from Tucson. They have 3 huskies they travel with who are a father, age 12, his son, age 11 and a baby sister, age 1. Don’t they just warm your heart.

Father and son. Baby sister on the bench below.

And for those of you who know my pup, Louloubelle, check out how well she is doing with our new grandson Graylen. She has been terrific and they have become best buds.

Life really is very good.

Well, this is my last day off for the week and I’ll be back to work tomorrow. I hope you have a wonderful week. I’ll be thinking of you send lots of hugs your way.

Blessings,

Mara (please forgive any mistakes.)

Week #2: Work has begun . . . I’m thrilled and exhausted as my first week ends.

What a week! I started on Monday, June 1, and what a whirlwind. The park itself covers a bit of territory for a city.

The Liberty Bell is a treat for everyone and it was for me as well. From 1976 – 2003 the bell sat in a glass pavilion. In 2003 it was moved to the Liberty Bell Center, newly built and open to the public. It has many exhibits throughout the building telling its history.

Then came Independence Hall where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed. It may sound a little corny but it was a little emotional to see the actual area where the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution were signed.

There are 3 other National Historical sites in Philadelphia:

Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
Edgar Allen Poe National Historic Site
Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site

More to follow on these in future blogs!

But before I get too far ahead of myself, let me tell you about where we are living. I rented a studio apartment which is likely just about 500 square feet in size with a Murphy bed. Upon arrival though we found the studio was not finished and we were put in the ‘penthouse’ until ‘the studio’ is complete. I just learned our landlord has rented the penthouse as of June 20 so we will be moving soon. In the meantime, here are some pictures of where we are currently.

I’ve not seen a queen size bunk bed before!

A view from the opposite side of the main area. It’s the Penthouse suite so we have an outside patio!

Our first Philly Cheesesteak . .. . it was good!

This was a local Reuben Sandwich. It was good but not as good as New York’s!

My schedule is 8:30 – 5:15 daily from Thursday through Monday. I don’t deny that by the time Saturday rolled around last week I was very ready. Since I didn’t take my regular days off the first week they gave me a Saturday and then I started my normal days off. That was great. I’m averaging 1400 steps per day and my goodness was I tired come Friday at 5:00pm. I don’t think I moved at all that Saturday. LOL.

The training has been extensive and very high quality. The Rangers are all so giving and forgiving of the things I know they had to tell me about multiple times. I don’t really have my thoughts together yet as to all that I’ve learned after the first week. It will take me a few days to put the puzzle of information together. Then next step will be to learn some “fun facts” to share with visitors as well as the correct answers to their questions. This is just the tip of the iceberg but thought I would share a couple Ranger pictures. I’ll have more as time goes by. If you are visiting a National Park this summer be certain to tell them thank you. They have a wealth of knowledge and a love of our parks. I’m so grateful for them!

The Visitor Center as we assist with our visitor questions.

Luke and the Harmonica — Luke playing the Glass Harmonica created by Benjamin Franklin.

Franklin completed the design for the Glass Armonica (or Harmonica as it has been called here in the states) in 1761 while living in London. We have 4 rangers who are adept at playing it. Luke is one of those who really enjoys it.

Well, this has been a bit more disorganized than I’d prefer. I’ll get better once the firehose learning style slows down and I begin to pick up a more relaxed knowledge base which will be very soon. I’ve found the Philadelphia ‘center city’ to be friendly and very walkable. The streets / sidewalks are a bit uneven and cobblestones are the dickens to walk on. Yes, I must admit I’ve fallen a couple times. Never having learned the art of putting my hands out to break my fall means both falls were hard ones but no broken bones thank goodness.

Fall#1 went unnoticed except for this young man who was 1/2 block down the street and asked me if I was okay as he passed. I said, “sure” and got up and moved one. However I was drenched as I had purchased a glass bottle of vodka and it shattered. I walked the remainder of my way home wet from top to bottom. What a site!

Fall#2 was a little more productive. I tripped and went down hard in Rittenhouse Square. Lots of people were enjoying the great weather and a couple a little younger than me came and helped me get up. LOL. They were so worried the gentleman suggested I sit for 5 minutes or we were going to have to take him to the hospital as he was so worried about my fall. I assured him I was fine but the blood flowing out of my thumb gave me a reason to sit for a few minutes. There were no serious lasting effects except that it hurt to breathe for the next 3 days (and sneezing was a nightmare!) and my thumb is still healing. But, “I’m good” as I always say. LOL, life is so much fun!

And on an up-note, my friend Joan from San Antonio introduced me to her family, Bonnie, who lives here in center city Philadelphia. WHAT A DELIGHTFUL LADY. I’ve met with her once and hope to connect with her again in a couple weeks. I can’t wait.

Life is indeed what you make of it. Have a great week and I’ll visit again next week. Love and Hugs to all.

Mara (excuse any mistakes please)

Independence Hall – Philadelphia

Independence Hall at the National Historical Park in Philadelphia

My new assignment is beyond words. I will be in Philadelphia for our 250th birthday celebration. I couldn’t find a more historic site to be on this fabulous birthday.

I, along with my daughter Melissa, arrived here on Tuesday, May 26, to settle in. She came along to make certain all was well for me. I do have two of the best daughters. They do everything to allow me to have these experiences and share in them with me. It is an incredible blessing.

We have walked the city, visited the park, eaten some of the best food ever, and settled in well. Our first full day here we ended with a ‘dinner with a ranger’ as we met up with my friend Maggie previously from the San Antonio Missions. What a delight it was to be together again and learn more about Independence National Park.

The rest of this week has been walking, walking and walking. Getting the lay of the land for sure. And settling in to the apartment. Melissa and I learned that we really do not need much space. Our stay in the Penthouse apartment is triple the space we need for sure.

Another surprise occurred after a couple days when Melissa decided that while she could return to San Antonio and work from home, she wanted to find office space here and share the experience with me. I couldn’t be more pleased. The office space she found is half way to the park so we can either walk together in the morning part way or I can stop and get her on my way home and we can have dinner out. Or, we might just do both. What a blessing to have someone to share the experience with me.

This week has been full of walking and exploring. I’ve walked several miles daily, and all in new directions. Tomorrow starts the month of June and will be my first day at work. I’m off and running on what is to be a tremendous adventure.