So we got a late start, but Carma put a brave face on and we headed back into Philly traffic for our official Cheese Steak. The girl from the TBTW told us to go to Jim’s steaks so that we did. I took a few pictures of the street that we were on….Philly has some weird stores.
Me eating my cheese steak
Carma and Matt having a bite
Jim’s Steaks
Jimmy Rockets (we don’t have those)
Okay?
Don’t know what’s up with the giant ants, but it was cool looking
Starbucks…on a corner…who would have thought
Okay, after our stop off, we headed to ES for our day tour. The day tours are open from 10-5pm daily. You can do some guided tours for a cost that will take you a few places that the audio tour will not. However, we wanted to do the audio tour read by Steve Buscemi. This is $12.00 for adults. They give you a digital audio thingy (I don’t know what it’s called, its not a cd player) with headphones, then you go to the numbered signs and start the audio. Since there was 3 of us we would pause it and count to 3 and then start the new track so we would be on the same timing. The audio has a LOT of info. and takes a while to get through. It’s all well done and organized. They have pretty much left the prison as they found it. They have restored a few things and added some artist installments. The Gothic Architecture is worth a look alone. Well, let me let the pictures speak for themselves.
The Gargoyle that greets you and "pulls" you in
Walking down one side of ES
Signs for ES and TBTW
Side view of the entrance
The "other" Gargoyle
Matt really likes Steve Buscemi
So does Carma
Guard Tower
Me at the bottom of the 30 foot wall
Cellblock 1
The prisoner's doors.
History Break (I hope I get this right): When ES first opened all the cells were solitary confinement, not even the guards interacted with prisoners. Their food was put through slits in the doors. They had a private courtyard outside their cell for "outside time." The door to get to the courtyard was only about 4 ft. high. I have a picture and you will see what I'm talking about.
HB: ES has pieces that the owners have restored so you can see what it actually looked liked, but most of it is as they found it when they bought it.
What the original food slots looked like
The bigger doors into the corridors
Skylight just b/c
HB: ES is based on Quaker beliefs of enlightenment. Hints the solitary and the single skylight in the ceiling of each cell, said to be God's eye watching you.
Potty, tehe
Not sure why this is sealed
Not sure what the cabinets were for either
The halls in ES are long and looming...so wonderfully spooky
I took a lot of pictures of windows, open doors, dark alley ways b/c those are always places for potential specters.
HB:ES had indoor plumbing before the Whitehouse
Who left the window open!
Window into a doorway...double score.
Another long hallway, just in case you didn't believe me
Looks like guards right? Nope just other visitors
You should know this shot. They show it on the ghost shows all the time
There is an explanation for the statue cats that I have a picture of
Looks like someone forgot their paperwork at the office
Just so many cool picture angles...I really wish I had my dslr
How many horror movies have you seen this in?
And over here are the skylights, they just add an open feel to the room, don't you think?
HB:They say that inmates still come back to see their old cells (It closed in 1975)
You can see how some parts are just down right spooky
Looks like someone just got up and left and never came back...wait..they did.
A picture of a picture of what the rooms looked like
I thought for sure a ghost would be having a seat here, no rest for the weary I guess
Courtyard
More courtyard
One of the solitary courtyards
This one might have a ghost in it...hard to see or prove though
I guess ghost don't sit
Spooky alleyway
The HOLE-They actually have this open for tours now. Not sure if its for a limited time or not though.
Again, some of the areas so wear and tear
One of the art installations. Don't get excited, I thought it was a spooky grave like thing too
Need a cell door?
Side view
Hello? Anyone up there?
This is where Matt started calling the ghost out. He thought if he antagonized them they would show up. The one who choose to antagonize? A violent rapist. Good thing I read about ghost hunting a lot and knew to say a prayer of protection before hand. Thanks Matt.
Carma needed a shower
I actually thought the greenhouse was pretty
Poked my camera through a hole in the glass
The sign said this was the punishment room....
Creepy weeds picture
Why are weeds so creepy?
Did I need another long hallway picture? Probably not
Look how clean that shower is....Mr. Clean.
Can I just tell you how much this freaked me out.....
Wonder if those pillows are still good?
More windows
The Infirmary was part of the Haunted House, but I'm not sure if that is an original sign or a prop
I'm inside....looking out...of a prison...wait?
I think these were the chaplain's quarters
Al Capone's Cell
His neighbors cell, talk about keeping up with the Jones
Where the barber chair was suppose to be
Why do they look so happy to be in prison?
Group Pic!
Children who were born to mothers in the prison, I think.
Okay, story moment: You know how they say (ghost hunter dudes) how ghost drain power. Well, my camera (lithium batteries) had come on three different times saying the battery was dead and yet it continued to take pictures. Now usually when the batteries die, I get the message and then a couple pictures later.....dead. So, we took a picture of me just in case some friendly Casper was draining my battery. No such luck, but cool story, right?
Prison Pup-Story plaque to follow
HB:There was also a lab that was sent to prison for killing the warden's cat.
A view from Mugshots Cafe across the street
See how far it is
These are pictures I have already posted, but I circled where we though ghostly apparitions showed up.
I know this one is from Gettysburg, but I didn't want to circle until you had made up your mind.
So, after our GREAT tour we headed across the street to Mugshots and little cafe and used the facilities and got some "on the road" drinks for our drive back. Carma said the pumpkin latte (?) was out of this world! I had the apple cider and I think Matt just had coffee.
Then we jumped in the car and headed out of PA back down the road to VA. It was a long drive and we got home around 11pm and I had to drive about 45 mins to my place. Good thing we left Sunday open for doing nothing, lol.
Sum it up:
This was one of the most fun trips I ever had! I liked the places we went, the things we did and the people I was with. This trip had a little of everything and was spaced out just enough to not feel overwhelming.
Gettysburg, is beautiful (even wet) and has a small town feel that is sooo warming (when wet). The museum is a MUST see!
Hershey, makes you a kid again and makes you giddy (still think it was the chocolate they pumped in). It would be fun for adults(singles) or families. They have a theme park that is open during certain times, so you could spend a whole day there. Don't forget the SHOPPING.
TBTW, I can't say enough about these guys. They are wonderful and put a lot of effort in all to save a historical landmark. Go get you pants scared off and then go back for a day tour, that I thought was still scary.
ES, so much fun. I kept saying that I would love to just spend the night alone there b/c I would freak myself out, but it would def. be an adrenaline rush. Go, take pictures, with DSLRs (remember no flashes).
That wraps it all up. Hopefully, Carma will read over this and let me know if I forgot anything or add some more details. If she does, I'll add them on the end of here, so you don't have to look for them (I'm assuming people are reading this).
I hope you guys got some great ideas for your own spooky vacation. Carma and Matt don't know it, but I think another spooky adventure is in our future....
PS-I know there are misspelled words and coma issues and capital letter problems and such.......eh.
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