Yay for today

Today was awesome, for several reasons. 

First, I got to sleep in and my cat didn't wake me up too early. So that's always a win. 

Good meowning.

Then, I was heading out and was gonna put my trusty BUGWB fleece (that I still wear regularly and is one of the best things I've ever created in my life) on top of my long sleeved tee. But I stepped outside, and it was WARM. Beautiful day!  Buh-bye, fleece. 

So I went to the park and the farmers market was open this morning. It's not very big, but I got to flirt with the guy selling soup and got a bowl of delicious black bean sweet potato soup for $1 off :) and got an apple that was fresh off the farm. So I sat and ate lunch and people-watched and listened to some bearded guys play some banjos (where am I, Nashville?) and it was just really nice. 

I wandered down the street, admiring all the architecture

Lots of old things

And happened on a really cute little yarn shop. I didn't get anything, but it's good to know where it is for when I feel inspired. 

While I was wandering, two ladies stopped and asked me for directions, which is always nice because it means I must seem like a nice person and like I know where I'm going. And bonus, one of the ladies said I had beautiful skin. Awww just make my day why don't you! 

Feeling like all is right in the world, I kept on walking, and discovered the other side of the city, the Schuylkill River. Don't ask, I have no idea how to say it either. 

Happened up on a dog park and got to watch the puppies play from a ramp above them. It was so cute. And now I want a puppy.  

On the other side is West Philadelphia. Yes, everyone say it with me: iiiin West Philadelphia born and raised... Every. Single. Time. 

Started walking along the ramp, which turned into the Schuylkill River Trail, which runs along the river for miles and miles. So I joined the crowds of runners, walkers, families, strollers, people walking dogs, people walking babies, and old couples walking each other and just kept walking. 

I think everyone was realllllly excited it was such a nice day and we all came out of our hermit holes and put on our best neon spandex and spent the day outside. At least, that's what I did. 

Eventually I came upon the Art Museum, where I'd 

spent several hours admiring the Monet on the inside last Sunday. It's a very imposing building from down by the river. 

And found this interesting gem, the Water Works, which apparently used to be an energy source here. 

There's a little waterfall 

And some really old building that is now a restaurant or something, because that's what you do with really old buildings whose original purpose has become obsolete or been replaced. 

The Water Works - water for the city! Ah, so that's why it tastes like that...

Little gazebo thing

Those doors in the water are apparently flood gates. I think they kind of look like disappointed faces. 

And there was a great view of the skyline, the river, and the art museum. 

Back behind the dam, there were some places where the water was still frozen. Frozen! Frozen river water! That might be the first time I've ever seen that. 

And there were statues and interesting little things everywhere. 

Like this memorial to the engineer of the water works 

And this little arch thingy

And columns, because they're classy. 

And then I discovered the famed Boathouse Row. 

It's all charming and old and stuff

And has neat places like this. These boathouses actually are in use for various rowing crews, including La Salle and Penn, both of which ran by me on the trail. 

There were also a few crews out there on the water practicing

And a tunnel!

I sat and watched the river for a while, 

And then I walked all the way to Reading Terminal Market, which has become my new Saturday tradition, to get some $2 baked goods and bananas for $.52. And I ate some pierogis for the first time. Yum!

Two dollas. And delicious. Can't beat that. 

It was a very good day. I like you, Philadelphia.