Walk Along the Waterfront in Philadelphia

A gentle breeze massages my scalp as I sat looking out at the rhythmic sway of the water. The sun is beginning to set, casting a pale orange glow over the Delaware river. I am sitting alone on a bench directly on the Waterfront in Downtown Philadelphia it is also known as Penns landing. I take a moment to wave at the passengers aboard the Spirit of Philadelphia as they sail by slowly. Penns landing is pretty popular in the summer months it offers multiple levels of entertainment from free concerts, ice cream festivals, and boat rides, It does fireworks faithfully every year on the Fourth of July. In the winter it offers skating hopefuls a chance to show their stuff on the ice skating rink.

Penns landing however is not known for it's serenity and that is why I consider the waterfront an underrated attraction. I packed up for a trip downtown recently. I put a book to read along with a journal and pen which I'm most likely to use inside of my bag. I decided to go in the evening when parents have long since taken kids home and the lingering love birds are all played out and ready to stroll hand in hand. I find an empty bench close to the water and I sit with the intention of reading. The scenery takes me back somehow to a wonderful place filled with peace and serenity. The waterfront has a way of doing that on a warm summer day. I allow myself to stare at the artistically crafted statues that sit in the center of the water fountains. I listen to the flapping of seagulls wings as they sing a loud song on their way by. They almost appear to be flying to the big orange sun hanging over the water. Penns landing allows me to clear my head, regroup my thoughts, rebalance my senses.

Most of the Waterfront visitors come out to play during a special event when it is over crowded with patrons looking for a good time but not me, I enjoy the silent beauty of this peaceful place when there is only a few passersby to spoil the silence and the wind blows in my hair and the sights fill my senses with a desire to think, to dream, to wish, to write. When sitting has become to intense I decide to take a slow stroll. I stop occassionally to read the historic landmarks listed on marble stands. I quietly walk by the Seaport museum resting from the days visitors and preparing for a new and different group of visitors in the morrow. I let my fingers slide across the rope separating me from the waters edge. It is here that I am reminded of the serenity of this beautiful place that Philadelphian's know as Penns Landing.

For tourist the waterfront is usually a must stop place to get a sense of visiting the city of brotherly Love. It is here that you are most likely to see the Huge stick figures walking on Lovers stroll. It is here you will see speed boats flying on water, it is here you will see the children playing in the water of some of the fountains when the sun beats unforgiving on their little heads. It is here that passengers on the bigger boats will wave as if they've known you and wish you could join them for lunch. It is here on the waterfront that you will see people no matter what the season. Crowding around to see the nights performer, huddling together to watch the fireworks, holding hands to natures music, and it is here that you will see them laughing hysterically as they fall to the ground on the ice. It is here that I have noticed this on my walk along the waterfront