QotD: [this is home]

Where do you consider home?  Is it the place you grew up; the place you're currently living?  Why is it home?
Submitted by uncagedbird. 

This is Penn's Landing, on the Delaware River, in Philadelphia.  My son and I go there just about every weekend, usually on Saturday.  My son is autistic, and does not always handle crowds well.  But on a Sunday morning, it's pretty quiet on the river.  Just a few couples, joggers, bicyclists, and people walking dogs.  Sometimes, we'll take the ferry which docks at the point shown above, and will cross to the Camden Aquarium.  Other times, we might board the Olympia or the Becuna.  The Olympia was the flagship of Admiral Dewey during the Battle of Manila Bay, from the decks of which he uttered the imortal words "You may fire when ready, Gridley."  The Becuna was a WWII submarine.  Both can be boarded for free on Sunday mornings.

After that, we might go to the Independence Seaport Museum, which is also free on Sunday mornings.

Then, after a peaceful half hour or so, just watching the water, we'll head off to the Phlash.

This trolley, for a dollar, will take you from Penn's Landing to the Art Museum, and back.  On the way, it passes Independence Hall, Love Park, and the Rodin Museum.

    (Those are Rocky's steps).

Sometimes, we'll get off at Independence Hall, and sit behind the hall, next to Commodore Perry's statue.  Other times we'll go for ice cream.  On the way home, we might hit up the new farmers' market at Headhouse Square.

Look, I was born and raised in Northern California, and love it there.  But my home is Philadelphia.  A city easy to live in, easy to walk, with folks who are no fools, but treat you with the respect you deserve.  Maybe one day, I'll win the lottery, and choose to live elsewhere.  But for now, Philadelphia, with its world class orchestra and museums, the largest inner city park in the world, affordable housing costs, great restaurants, and wonderful people, will have to do.