Baltimore

USS Constellation.

In early November 2011, we slithered up the I-95 to B’more or Charm City as it’s been known.  The deal was to blow a full day here which we enjoyably did.  Since it was our first time exploring, we hung mostly between the waterfront and Little Italy, lucking out with a great breakfast downtown, and a fabulous late lunch in L.I.  A tall sailing ship, a submarine, Coast Guard ship and other things afloat soothed our maritime interest, while historic sites, colonial architecture and good views on a fine fall day kept us fully energized.  We lucked out again when we learned that we had hit the discount hour at the aquarium, which is one of the best I’ve ever seen.  Charm City could become a regular destination for us since it’s so close to DC.

Delmarva Peninsula

The author and the mysterious Kris.

Delware, Maryland and Virginia share the peninsula between the ocean and the Chesapeake, thus the name, Delmarva.  Mix up the letters a little and you have Admarvel, which is what we did for the good part of a day with friends Pat and Linda.  Pat gave us the two-buck tour across the Bay Bridge from Annapolis, instructing us on some native tree identification and pointing out a few historic sites, then leading us to a fine dinner at a little harbor called... hmm, I forget.  We’ll go back again and check out the great maritime museum at St. Michaels we’ve heard about, as well as the old haunts of James Michener when he was writing the his epic novel about the great bay and its humans.

Shenandoah National Park

Fall sunset at Shenandoah N.P.

We missed out on the peak fall colors of the Shenandoah in 2011, but even though it was kinda breezy and goosebumpy, we managed a few short walks and a mini-tour along Skyline Drive.  We’ll do better justice to this lovely place next time.

Mount Vernon Trail

Mt. Vernon Trail along the Potomac River.

Kris and/or I have biked this splendid urban bikeway a bunch of times and we love it.  Lots of other folks do too, but we've never found it to be overly crowded.  The pics might help explain why we like it.  Goin' there again today, in fact.

Wallowas (OR)

Wallowa River.

In late August 2011, the job took me to the Wallowa Mountains in Oregon briefly and I squeezed (squoze?) in a short hike up the valley to check out the little river.  Kris and I had a big backpack planned there a couple summers before, but our timing was off weatherwise and the snowy high ground suggested day-hiking.  It was also kinda convenient--and embarrassing--to realize at the trailhead that I’d left my overnight pack at home!  I had the stuff to go in it all neatly packed in boxes and bags in the trunk of the car.  It was an odd oversight.  Better be the first and last time I ever do that.  I've left home before without my hiking boots and once without my sleeping bag (and often without a flashlight or food), but when you forget your backpack, that’s a definite oh-oh.   In any event, on my next trip to the Wallowas I’ve vowed to summit Eagle Cap and look down on all the pretty lakes.  Gorgeous country up there.

Old Rag Redux (VA)

Old Rag Mountain, summit area.

In August 2011, I returned to Old Rag Mountain, this time going up the more civilized way like everybody else (see the earlier post in May 2011).  Not much more to say other than I love this place.   I did get some much better pictures than what I was taking with my flip phone the first time.

Eastern Market and the Navy Yard

Episcopal Church, Capitol Hill.

In August 2011 I joined a local group of history buffs on a ramble-bamble through Eastern Market and along the Barracks Row Heritage Trail.  Highlights included the Navy Yard waterfront, John Phillip Sousa’s house, and the old Episcopal church once attended by Presidents Thomas Jefferson and John Quincy Adams.  Kris and I have visited the indoor/outdoor weekend market often.  She has a thing for the crabcake breakfast, while I like going back for the cherry strudel.