Harbor East Friday May 21
We left the Burg Friday morning in our rented Beemer and cruised up I-95 to Baltimore where we reluctantly gave it back to the Enterprise people.
Follow these links to go directly to that event:
Independent Brewery and Jake and Beth's
OK, we're now visiting Baltimore!
Our room was on the 18th floor and this was our view! Not bad.
We had a nice lunch at the Harbor East Deli (Maybe I should have taken a photo of our food!) and then went for a walk toward the Inner Harbor area.
The Power Plant Building used to be home to a huge Barnes and Noble. Not any more. The Hard Rock Cafe is still there though. All things considered, I'd rather have a Barnes and Noble.
Ahoy, mates, I guess this must be a tall ship! Also a cannon.
Looking across the Harbor toward the National Aquarium.
We thought we'd swing by Little Italy and check on Aldo's. Alas, our favorite Baltimore restaurant was closed!
Friday night we were on our own so we made the most of it
We started at Tagliata, sitting outside for wine and apps.
Unlike Virginia and California, the dining scene in Maryland is back to normal. Or maybe busier than normal because we couldn't make a dinner reservation anywhere - all booked up.
Fortunately, we found seats among the crowds wherever we went. Just luck, I guess.
After Tagliata, we visited the Elk Room, a speakeasy down the alley. These are our drink glasses being chilled down with a dose of liquid nitrogen.
Did I mention the name of the place?
The finished product was excellent!
This was our next stop. Two people were leaving the bar so we nabbed their seats and ordered an "elixir"!
"Crab Cakes and Football, That's what Maryland Does". I'm guessing Maryland does other things but that's a good start.
Us at the Loch Bar
Our appetizers: Oysters Rockefeller and buttermilk hush puppies!
Back in our room after a nice evening on the town!
Harbor East, Saturday, May 22
Saturday morning we walked to Fells Point, a half-mile or so along the Harbor from our hotel.
The cobblestone streets are lined with old brick townhomes and shops.
I like the fire hydrant. It could be the subject of my next painting.
Saturday morning is Farmers Market day in Fells Point and it was a pretty good one!
Another example of restaurants pouring out onto the streets to help us all survive the pandemic. This is Thames Street and normally cars and delivery trucks are where the tables are. I like this much better and I hope they make it permanent.
Well, that was enough walking and shopping - time for a refreshment! We bought a carafe of Bloody Marys and tried a little Old Bay Hot Sauce. They should add "Maryland does Old Bay" to the Crab Cake and Football sign. It's everywhere on everything!
Deb and Mike joined us in the afternoon. For (Debbie's) old time's sake, we stopped in "The Horse You Rode In On" for a Guinness. Apparently she did some underage drinking there with her friends when she was a kid and they dubbed the place "The Horse You Fell Off Of"
Feeling like we needed a pit stop on our way from Fells Point back to Harbor East, we stopped at the bar at Cindy Lou's Fish House for a cocktail.
And we ended the evening back at the Loch Bar where we were lucky enough to get seats for cocktails (elixirs) at the bar and then a nice table outside for dinner!
Sunday, May 23, Crab Feast at Mal and Colin's
No trip to Baltimore is complete without a crab feast, if they are in season. Malarie and Colin invited the clan to their home Sunday afternoon to enjoy piles of the freshly steamed delicacy.
Nothing like piles of Old Bay seasoned crabs, corn on the cob and plenty of melted butter! This pile has been mostly eaten. Perhaps I should have photo'd it before...
You need a mallet to get to the tender claw and leg meat. Thanks, Richard!
Our hosts for the day. Thanks Mal and Colin!
Jack and Gi-Gi (Liv's name for grandma Deb)
The back yard
The front yard
Monday, May 24
Monday was sort of dark, cool, and rainy. Debbie took us to the Hampden neighborhood where we had a great lunch at a place called Papi's.
This was on the wall at Papi's - we had excellent Mexican cuisine but no more photos.
Later, we went to see Deb and Mike's new house. They won't move in until July because the sellers rented it back while waiting for their new house to be built. This is the back yard.
Back at Deb and Mike's apartment, Lorri and Olivia are playing with stick-on doll clothes.
Tuesday, May 25
Time for a workout! We found a trailhead for the "NCRT" which is a very nice trail along the alignment of an old railroad bed from here to York, Pennsylvania, over 40 miles.
We decided not to hike the whole trail in one day, but we did get in a few miles. Well, four miles to be truthful.
Thursday, May 27, Boordy Winery
Thursday dawned bright and sunny! We decided to spend the afternoon at Boordy Vineyards picnicking under the shade trees and listening to a little mellow Bluegrass music.
Here we are just getting started.
I can't say their wines are the best I've ever had, but they're drinkable and better than they used to be. This is their Sauvignon Blanc and also Debbie and Mike.
We were joined by Sarah, Deb's friend and business partner and Mal Mal. Here we are getting ready for a group photo.
Here is our group photo, a little back-lit but you get the idea.
Can't wait to taste the Petit Verdot next year! Actually, yes I can, but I can't wait to see this group again!
Friday, May 28, Ladew Topiary Gardens
Another cool, cloudy, and somewhat rainy day... We decided to meet Mal and Liv for lunch and then visit Ladew
Looking out the window from D&M's apartment
This is Stella, my favorite dog. We take her for walks and I get to pick up her you-know-what. I take no chances. I use two bags! Woof!
Here we are at lunch. Olivia has new nail polish! See?
Liv and GML.
On to Ladew!
Though it was a little sprinkly from time to time, we managed to have a good tour. Free use of umbrellas is included with admission!
The Dogwoods are in full bloom!
So are the roses!
Olivia holding up the gazebo.
Grabbing the bull (actually the cow) by the horns.
Come on, GML, you sit too!
Gi-Gi and Mal-Mal and soon to be baby girl Rayburn
Three generations!
Four generations!
Selfie with the girls
Olivia posing
Have I mentioned cicadas yet? We found a giant one!
The makings of Friday night's dinner before we added the pasta!
Saturday, May 29, Independent Brewery
At the north end of Bel Air, near the Ma and Pa trailhead, you can find Independent Brewing Co.
The gang all gathered there before heading to Jake and Beth's place for dinner. I took this photo and...
Lorri too this one!
I should mention that, according to Mal, Liv decided to pick her outfit for the day herself and this is what she came up with!
She had no qualms about going over to this family and introducing herself. It turns out one of the kids was about her age and they had fun hanging out, laughing, and having a couple beers.
From the brewery we went to Jake and Beth's place for dinner
They have two dogs, well, one dog and one small horse. He is house-trained though.
The time is getting close for Colin and Mal for baby #2!
Sunday, May 30, Marshy Point
We spent Sunday evening and Monday, Memorial Day, at Austin and Sarah's estate at Marshy Point at Middle River on the Chesapeake Bay
It was a little cool and cloudy but the rain had stopped. We had a great steak dinner at the dining room table and later sat outside around the fire pit for after dinner drinks and s'mores
This is the view from the back porch where we were all sitting
You can see the view in the reflection in the window.
Monday, Memorial Day, May 31, Marshy Point
I walked down to the water in the morning and took a couple photos. Very peaceful.
Looking north
looking south
Looking like trouble
It was a beautiful sunny day. The remnants of last night's fire were still smoking hot!
The sidewalk chalk artist
The crabbing pier
The Boat house
The Boat
Miller, Debbie, Sarah and Katie in back with Lila and Liv in front
Getting ready for the boat ride
Casting off
The brothers: Mike and Matt
Liv and her best friend Lily
Under way
The boat people met us for lunch at "Crazy Tuna", one of the many restaurants along the bay that provide dock space for boat people . It was a great day and a great trip! Thanks to Austin and Sarah for hosting the gang on Sunday and Memorial Day and thanks to Deb and Mike for putting up with us for over a week! Can't wait to visit again!