We left Annapolis and back into Chesapeake Bay and then up the Patapsco River toward Baltimore. This is the Francis Scott Key Bridge you pass under on the way to the Inner Harbor. The Inner Harbor is a waterfront development that is as active as any I have ever seen. It bustles with activity. Baltimore is a thriving city by any measure.
Yours truly keeping track of a tow that passed by us in the Patapsco just after coming thru the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
We took the water taxi from Fells Point near our marina over to Fort McHenry. We watched a movie in the visitors center that detailed the history of the War of 1812 and the fort and how Francis Scott Key happened to be within sight of the battle with the British and how he was inspired to write the words to the Star Spangled Banner. We left with a greater appreciation for the things and the people that went into the birth and early years of our country. Note that the flag has 15 stars. The original 13 colonies plus two states that joined the union prior to this war.
We took the water taxi from the fort back to a different point of the Inner Harbor where there were 4 ships on display that could be toured. We had time to tour the submarine Torsk that saw action in WW II and did her assigned task of sinking Japanese shipping. The tour made living conditions aboard a diesel electric sub very easy to visualize. I banged my head several times on low items and on the passageways thru the watertight compartments in the boat.
Forward torpedo room aboard the Torsk. We had time to tour one other boat so we chose the Civil War sailing gun boat, the USS Constellation. This is where I came to believe that we are taller than people were in the 1860's. I banged my head on more low hanging stuff aboard the Constellation than aboard the Torsk.
There was within walking distance of our marina a Whole Foods market and the Bin 604 Wine Cellar wine store. This was our first visit to a Whole Foods store. It was much more interesting than most grocery store because of their unique selections. Watching Pat shop in this store reminded me of me in a West Marine store. The wine store was unique to us because we purchased two cases of assorted wines and they allowed one of their staffers to put it in one of their carts and wheel our many bottles of wine right down to our marina. I know at least one cop gave us a funny look because I am sure it looked like it was three people helping themselves to a cart from some unsuspecting store.
We were also within walking distance to Little Italy. This was a not to be missed neighborhood. We had dinner at an Italian resturant called Della Notte. And it was goood!
Once again it is getting late so Delaware City, Cape May and Jersey City will have to wait for another session with Blogspot.
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