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)