Hannah and I have spent the rare week away from Downeast Maine visiting my folks in Pennsylvania. I’ve tried to add a few “educational” excursions to our trip that wouldn’t totally bore a 14-year-old. Today’s outing was to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. I seem to recall I was about her age when I first toured these landmarks. There’s no question that I was more deeply affected by the experience today than I was as a teen. Life experience gives a profound understanding of and appreciation for the concepts of liberty and independence!

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Independence Hall from inside the Liberty Bell Center.

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Hannah pictured with the Liberty Bell.

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Philadelphia’s Independence Hall, the birthplace of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

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The tower and steeple were not original to the hall, but are iconic today.

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Dad at the camera on this beautiful April day.

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Hannah and Dad in the Independence Hall courtyard.

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I love the reflection of the American Flag in this round window on the side of Independence Hall.

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A mother/daughter selfie in front of Independence Hall – my big hair is obscuring it!