September 10, 2006 Baltimore, MD Part 1

We have been on the water now about 6 ½ weeks and have traveled 924 miles. It is amazing to think that one can drive that in a few days…but it is the process not the destination, as they say in boating!

This is on our way into Baltimore going under the Francis Scott Key Bridge.

We arrived in Baltimore on Wednesday, Sept. 6 in the afternoon. We stayed in the Inner Harbor Marina East which is right near the Inner Harbor, Little Italy and Fell’s Point; a great location. Our view of the Baltimore skyline at night was wonderful. Our good friend, Robin, lives about 15 minutes away and came by to say hello and drink some wine. It was great to see her again.

Thursday was boat washing and laundry day. Joy. It takes us most of a morning to wash the boat and is exhausting. But that gave us the afternoon to tour Ft. McHenry, where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write the Star Spangled Banner near the end of the war of 1812.

Ft. McHenry looks very much like Ft. Macon in Atlantic Beach, NC. We took the water taxi there and on the way home got off at Fell’s Point, home of Bertha’s Mussles, for a cold beer before walking back to the boat. Baltimore is doing a terrific job of updating the waterfront and we loved walking through Fell’s Point and Little Italy.

On Friday we went to the Aquarium. It is fabulous. The last time we were there was when Rick and I were dating 18 years ago! It has grown about twice in size since then. Robin was generous enough to take me to a wine store and grocery store that day. That was a huge help. We had a delicious dinner in Little Italy with Robin and her husband John that night.

On Saturday we walked down to the Inner Harbor and lucked upon dragon boat races being held there (but forgot to bring our camera). We were also able to visit with my nephew, Jamie, and his girlfriend, Carrie. It was great catching up with them. Then we were invited to Robin and John’s house for a barbecue that night. We got a great tour of their large, stately home, built in 1931 ... complete with now dysfunctional buzzers for the wait staff. Robin is still one of the best cooks I know!! The whole weekend just couldn’t have been more fun.
More pictures in Part II.

September 10, 2006 Baltimore, MD Part II
Here are some random pictures of Baltimore. It was a fun place to visit and we will plan to come back here. Lynnie and Rick at Ft. McHenry.

Fell's Point Main Street.

Our view at night across the Patapsco River.

War of 1812 re-enactment soldiers on their way to Ft. McHenry from the Inner Harbor.

The USS Constellation being moved from the Inner Harbor to Ft. McHenry for the re-inactment by 3 tug boats.

The following are of the colorful Inner Harbor as we took a cruise through it on our way out.

The Baltimore Aquarium below.

September 5, 2006 Labor Day Weekend with Vicki and Norm

We had such a great time over Labor Day weekend. Our friends who live in Wilmington, DE, Vicki and Norm, invited us to spend the weekend with them. After several weeks on the boat we were ready for some land time. Norm picked us up from the boat on Friday and took us to their home. On the way we stopped and, FINALLY had steamed crabs for lunch! We ate at a local crab shack in historic Chesapeake City which is on the Chesapeake and Delaware Canal. Rick isn’t a blue crab fan so Norm and I got to eat them all. Rick had a humongous sub. Of course, beer is a necessary component when crabs are involved, so while Tropical storm Ernesto caused lots of rain to fall outside we were enjoying our crabs.

The next day we drove up to Philadelphia. It has been years since either of us had been there. It rained all day so it was a good thing we were inside most of the day. We really enjoyed Independence Hall and the new Constitution Center is fabulous. Lynnie, Norm and Vicki at Independence Hall.

Rick is standing in the back of the room where the Continental Congress met and debated the future of America. The chair is the original chair that was used by George Washington and subsequent Presidents of the Continental Congress.

He is also signing the Constitution 'guest' book.

The last picture is in a fabulous room in the Constitution Center that has life sized bronze statues of all of the signers of the Constitution.

We had to take a lunch break so we went into south Philly to the home of the original ‘Philly Cheese Steak’. There are two dives, er, restaurants, that say they are the originals and here are pictures of both as well as ordering instructions. What a hoot!! (You can double click on the picture to make it larger.)

On Sunday we all went to a wine festival at a local winery and had a great time tasting the different wines and listening to jazz. On Monday Vicki and Norm took us back to the boat. They have decided to purchase a DeFever, which is the same make as our boat so we took them for a ride down the Sassafras River to the Chesapeake. It was another gorgeous day! Thanks to our hosts for a wonderful weekend.