Day 19
October 22, 2021:
Pfew, today was a BIG day!
I woke up around 7:30 am, wanting to get an early start. I played a few games of Hearts, but didn’t get carried away. I did some research on the shooting range up the hill, thinking maybe today I’d shoot a gun for the first time in my life. I was hoping I could pay a fee to rent equipment, buy ammunition, and have someone instruct me on how to safely discharge the weapon, how to stand properly, and maybe the basics of how to aim. Unfortunately, you need a permit to use the range, and it seemed like it wasn’t actually staffed. It was a bring your own guns and ammo kind of place, with an annual fee associated with it for upkeep of the facility. That was a bit disappointing. Not worth evening hiking uphill to go check out. At 8 am, the range opened, and a few minutes later I started to hear the first shots. I packed my things, figuring I’d get an early start for Valley Forge instead.
Walking out of the hunting range, I saw someone had already parked in the lot nearest to my campsite. Either they hadn’t seen me going in (most likely), or they hadn’t cared. I cycled back through Warwick, past an older gentleman watering his flowers, and cycled along 23 for maybe 15 miles. I passed through Phoenixville and stopped for lunch at a bistro downtown. Still in the mood for something new, I ordered a Beyond Burger – one of the plant-based meat alternatives that’s been in development (and the news). I got a side of sweet potato fries and a cider to go with it. My friend Sam did a good job initiating me on ciders. I like them now. The burger was a bit disappointing. I feel the bistro could have done a better job dressing it up, instead of just serving it with a white bun, lettuce, onion, and tomato. No sauce – basically plain. Having the Beyond Burger stand alone was a bold choice. I think a better chef could have done more with it. It was interesting, though. It tasted like a real burger, just one made with *extremely low quality* meat, the kind you might have at a school cafeteria, and question if it’s really meat at all. I finished it though, and it was filling. Just not worth the premium price I paid for it. The sweet potato fries and cider were of course fantastic.
Just four miles down the road, I entered Valley Forge. I had read about it last night on Wikipedia to bring myself back up to date on the events that had transpired there. For those who don’t know, Valley Forge was the location where the Continental Army was stationed under General George Washington during the winter of 1777-78 during the Revolutionary War. It was cold, and the troops suffered from a variety of ailments and poor sanitation, made worse by malnutrition. It’s estimated that nearly 2000 people died there over the course of the winter. At the same time, foreign military experts Steuben and Lafayette trained, clothed, and unified the Continental Army, bringing some degree of professionalism and tactics to the men. At Valley Forge, I saw Washington’s Headquarters, reproductions of some of the officers’ quarters, statues of Washington and Steuben, memorials to each of the states whose troops were represented at Valley Forge, Varnum’s Quarters, old 18th century artillery, and the Valley Forge memorial arch (which was renovated by the Freemasons). Unfortunately, the museums at Valley Forge were all closed due to pandemic precautions, so I was limited in what I could see. I may have to return at a future date.
I went the wrong way leaving the park, meaning I had to climb an extra hill I wouldn’t otherwise have had to. I agreed to meet my friend Kyle - whom I had met as part of a board game club in Madison – at his apartment in Philadelphia at 4 pm. I cycled along the Schuylkill River Trail towards Manayunk to meet him. The miles flew by and I texted him I was out front a few minutes early. All told, I did about 38 miles.
I stowed my bike in a secure storage room downstairs, only bringing a few key items with me to the apartment upstairs. I cleaned up a bit, made myself at home, and Kyle relayed his evening plans to grab food, then go to a board game place nearby. We went to downtown Manayunk for Viatnamese Pho, and I got a spicy beef noodle bowl. We also split sides, getting wontons and dumplings. The food was delicious. I’m glad we went there.
We stopped at a local grocery store to grab beers while Kyle explained the weirdly harsh liquor laws of the area. Apparently ‘Bring Your Own Beer’ restaurants are a thing, because liquor licenses are either too expensive or difficult to come by. I got a six pack of Pilsner Urquell, one of my favorites I discovered on my 2016 study abroad trip. We headed back to the apartment for a bit before setting out on foot for the board game café.
It was $10 to get in for a full day (or $15 for an entire month.) I grabbed Planet, a game I recall having very much enjoyed – and nearly bought – at the I’m Board store in Middleton, WI. I had to read the rules again to re-figure out how to play, but it’s a relatively simple game with an advanced planning element. Kyle called it “multi-dimensional,” which should ring a bell for anyone familiar with the game. We also enjoyed Quoridor, Guillotine, and Jaipur. I purchased a Snickers bar for the walk back. The place was a great time.
We watched a few episodes of Seinfeld to chill out, then Kyle went to bed. I stayed up a bit later to catch up on my blog… which is what I’m doing now. Guess I should go to bed too.
