Star-Spangled Banner

We finally got a larger flag pole mounted to the house to display a U.S. flag. Tracy had bought a mountable pole soon after we got to Colorado Springs (5 years ago) but we'd never put it up - till today. What motivated Papa was his new 15-star flag from Fort McHenry...

It's the "Star-Spangled Banner," the 15-star flag that flew over Fort McHenry during the War of 1812. It's the flag Francis Scott Key saw the morning after the attack on Fort McHenry during the War of 1812 that inspired him to write our national anthem. There were actually 18 states at the time, but the making of a new flag to account for new states had not yet happened. In addition to 15 stars, there were 15 stripes. At one point they planned for one stripe for each state as well as one star but gave that up soon after this flag and went back to 13 stripes as it is today. It can also be recognized by a red stripe bordering the blue field at the bottom; on today's flag, a white stripe borders the bottom of the blue. It's "spangled" because the stars are all mixed in their orientations (they're all oriented the same way on subsequent flags). We visited Fort McHenry on our recent trip to Baltimore and saw the actual Star-Spangled Banner from Fort McHenry at the Smithsonian's American History Museum on the Mall in DC.

All of our Fort McHenry photos start here.

Fort McHenry from a water taxi.

A replica we unfurled at the fort.

 

Proudly flying next to Matt's office window.

Baltimore - Thunderstorms

We successfully picked up Fina today from Johns Hopkins. While Fina shared stories from the week, we did some final grocery shopping for tonight and tomorrow's return home. We also headed to the Fell's Point area for a little shopping at Lush, lunch, and a sailboat ride (yes, again, for Fina). But alas, thunderstorms moved into the area and our boat ride was canceled. But we did have a fun lunch at the Loch Bar. Then home for a little binging on Stranger Things! Early to bed as we have a 4am departure to Washington Dulles airport tomorrow morning. The day's photos start here.

Lush

Loch Bar

Baltimore - Duck Duck Goose / Charleston

It was a day of rest... And food! Breakfast at Duck Duck Goose and a fabulous 3-hour dinner at Charleston. All the day's photos are here.

They got it done minutes later.

Duck Duck Goose

Sagamore Sun-Ryes

Charleston

Fina (left) and her foursome at Johns Hopkins

Baltimore - Sailing

First thing this morning we checked out the pagoda at our neighborhood park, Patterson Park. We found it, but it was closed. The big outing of the day was a 90-minute sail with Cool Breeze Sailing Charters. Might have been the best 90 minutes of the trip! And of course, a little breakfast at Pitango (great European-style baked goods, sandwiches, and coffee) before the sail and some brunch afterward at Barcocina (ask for Mike!). All of this was out of Fell's Point. All the day's photos start here.

Baltimore - Naval Academy / Sandy Point / Fell's Point

We headed straight for Annapolis today to visit the Naval Academy. Then a brief stop at Sandy Point on the way back to Baltimore for a little beach time. We finished off the day revisiting Fell's Point. All of today's photos start here.

The Chapel

We had lunch at The Alley in the Naval Academy Club.

Sandy Point looking over at Kent Island.

Fell's Point

Baltimore - Basilica / Sagamore / Sherwood Gardens

We started the day with breakfast at Miss Shirley's. You've not had the full spectrum of breakfast till you've had their coconut-cream stuffed French toast! Then on to The Basilica of the Assumption. which had an amazing underground level. Next was Sagamore Spirit Distillery. Lastly, Sherwood Gardens is a small Beatty-like garden in a very posh residential area. We topped off the day with a great seafood meal at Mama's on the Half Shell less than a mile from our VRBO. All the day's photos start here.

Baltimore - Smithsonian

We managed to take in the Smithsonian's Natural History Museum and parts of the American History Museum today. Our main goal was the gem and mineral displays including the Hope Diamond. Success! The day's photos start here.

Tourmaline on Quartz.

The Jupiter (from Promontory Summit)

A pre-Civil War house re-assembled in the museum.

Baltimore - B&O Railroad Museum / National Aquarium

Today we visited the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad Museum only about 20 minutes from our abode. Then on to the National Aquarium down at the Inner Harbor, also very close. In between, we had a great meal at the Blackwall Hitch near the aquarium. The day's photos start here.

Blackwall Hitch (it's a rope knot of sorts)

Baltimore - Gettysburg

We spent the entire day getting out to Gettysburg and exploring that world. We were amazed at how many monuments were present from every state involved, every company, division, cavalry unit, etc. Today's photos start here.

BSA troop from Rhode Island

At the spot where Lincoln delivered the Gettysburg Address.

Baltimore - Fort McHenry

We took a Water Taxi from Fell's Point to Fort McHenry and spent most of the day there. A bit of cruising to Locust Point where we visited Harry's Bottle Shop. Then after cruising the Inner Harbor a little more, back to Fell's Point for dinner at The Abbey Burger Bistro. On our way out of Fell's Point we passed by The Horse You Came In On Saloon - the oldest continuously operating bar in the country (since 1775). The day's photos start here.

Fina's Envision group at Johns Hopkins

Brunch at Barcocina.

Baltimore's Water Taxi.

Fort McHenry

Full-size, 15-star flag.

Locust Point

At Domino Sugar (Locust Point)

Hole-in-the-wall bar: Harry's Bottle Shop

The Abbey Burger Bistro

The Horse You Came In On Saloon