Baltimore Day 1



 


Our intention was an early start, and we  had the car loaded before breakfast, but the general manager was at the Inn, and she had such a delightful personality, and was so knowledgeable of the history of the area and our inn, that we ended up chatting with her, and some of the other guests a bit longer than planned.  And the nice young couple we had chatted with at length the night before surprised us by asking if they could take our photo, as the evening had been the highlight of their trip so far!  Though I am not fond of having my photo taken, especially when I’m not “prepared”, ( read hair done and makeup!)  we were honored and obliged, , and then I took theirs!  We were getting in the  car to leave, and I was thinking again about what a nice visit we had with them, and said maybe I would give them our contact information, and Clem thought it was a great idea. So I dashed back in and gave it to them saying they should get in touch should they want tips for a trip to Massachusetts, which they have not yet done, their passion being the Civil War.  They are young and have time, but I did encourage them to branch out, as they, understandably, keep returning to favorite places, where they say they learn more each time.  While that is certainly true, there is so much to see and learn in our land full of rich history, it’s a shame not to try to take it all in, if you are of a mind.  


Kerry and Dave 

Just over a hundred miles, Clem drove while I worked on the blog, and the traffic we had feared was not terribly bad, so we arrived in good time to check into our hotel in the inner harbor, and head over for a walk along the sites before catching our 12:30 van tour.  The harbor has an assortment of stores and eateries, in addition to four historical ships, including the tall ship Constellation, which was an anti slave ship that saved and returned slaves to their homes, as well as the huge National Aquarium.  We walked the length taking it in before heading  back to the visitor center in time for our tour.  




In front of the Works Trade Center, lies a remnant and tribute to the tragedy at the one in NY. 
Poe lived and is buried here. They hold a “Hon Festival “ in June of every year because that is apparently what everyone is called! 






Talk about multitasking! Must help keep that body lean, too!  I told him I loved his pup wearing little boots, and he said protects him from things on pavement as well as the hot
bricks, and rewarded me with a nice smile. 

Our tour guide was knowledgeable, and grew up in the area, providing some extra fun tips about what Baltimorean’s eat and do, but unfortunately the vehicle was not conducive for viewing or taking photos, with rather small windows. I did manage to get a few shots of interesting things in the many neighborhoods, and he did stop at Fort McHenry, where we were able to watch a film about the war of 1812 and how Francis Scott Key watched and was inspired to write his poem, which in 1939 became our National Anthem.  At the end of the film , the huge screen was raised up as the anthem played, and we had a view of the fort with a huge flag waving, and everyone stood and listened. It was very moving, and I found myself emotional, and very proud of all those around me who stood. 



The Horse You Came In On saloon, where Edgar Allen Poe had his last drink, and was taken, totally inebriated, to a hospital, where he never recovered. 

Took several photos as we approached so as not to miss the Washington Monument, and notice the van in this one! 

It was in a rotary however, so I managed a decent shot. 

Poe’s grave site and marker, which I hope to get back to see while not in a moving van. 

Barely got this of The Shot Tower as we rounded a corner!  Buckshot was made by dropping the shells from the top of the tower.  
The American Visionary Museum, which we plan to visit 

Back from the tour, it was starting to drizzle, so we headed for the Aquarium.  Unfortunately the rainforest exhibit which I could see through the glass exterior and which dominates the upper floors, was closed for repairs, but we saw the huge reef and fish exhibits on the many floors, which we were transported between on conveyor belts! Quite the building!   But we were both left feeling a bit disappointed, as so much of the huge space was just that…..space. The Boston and San Diego Aquariums to name two, presented far more impressive displays of the exhibits and were more interesting. 





A view from the Aquarium of the submarine which one can visit in the harbor, along with the other historic ships. 




We came out just in time for a huge downpour, so we waited it out under cover, and then headed over to the nearby Phillips seafood in the old Power Plant, to have an early dinner.  Both tired, and it now raining, we figured that and some relaxation sounded like just the perfect evening.  




On the walk back, we spotted a walkway over the busy roads, so we found the access point and made a much easier crossing back to our hotel. 

View of the harbor from our 8th floor room. 


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