And... SNAP ✅ Our month in California ended way too fast!
Some of the highlights were: Visiting family in Arcata, Carlsbad and Del Mar, Pageant of the Masters Music, Bridge, Spa Days, Music in the Park, Girls Dinner, Old Guys Lifeguard Reunion, Spin Class, Date Night, TK Pot Luck, Visiting Friends, Tommy’s HH, SB Wine Weekend, Fluffer Get Together, Gardening, Mexican Food and the list goes on and on....If we didn’t get a chance to see you no worries, we plan to be back in California this October, with extra time and more Great American Loop stories to share 🙂.
We flew back to Baltimore on August 18th, arriving back to Thistle in the wee hours of the morning. She looks great and we are thrilled to be back aboard. After a month away, the weather is noticeably cooler, but still lots of rain in the weather forecast. It looks like we will have a few days to explore Baltimore before there is a decent weather window to continue up the Chesapeake Bay.
Think about this 🤔...When was the last time you heard or read good stories about Baltimore?....That’s what we thought, Not too often ⁉️
We want to let y’all know that Baltimore has been one of our favorite stops on the Loop! Friendly peeps, easy bike/walk trails around the harbor, wonderful restaurants, lots of unique museums, great history, art everywhere, we felt safe the entire time (Well, maybe not our 2 am airport cab ride 🤪) and Anchorage Marina was fantastic.
Baltimore was founded in 1729, and is the largest city in Maryland. It has a long history as an important seaport. It is the birthplace of our National Anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner”. During the War of 1812 Frances Scott Key wrote the tune that later became the National Anthem. Baltimore has a few nick names “B’More” (For locals). It has hundreds of identified districts, and is dubbed the “City of Neighborhoods”. In the early 1970’s Baltimore’s Inner Harbor was neglected, full of empty warehouses and abundant crime, it’s other nickname “Charm City” came from advertisers seeking to improve the City of Baltimore’s reputation. The Inner Harbor today is a vibrant happening area full of locals and tourists, it is recognized as one of the largest and most successful redevelopment project in the country. Some famous people are from Baltimore: Edgar Allen Poe, Billie Holiday and Babe Ruth (To name a few). After three enjoyable days exploring Baltimore we had a good weather window to push off the dock and continue our Great American Loop Adventure.
Looper Tip: Anchorage Marina was a perfect place to dock Thistle safely for a month. We had a great monthly rate and BWI was an easy 25 minute UBER or Cab ride. We Highly Recommend ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
We traveled up the Chesapeake Bay to Havre De Grace. Havre De Grace is situated on the mouth the of the Susquehanna River and the head of the Chesapeake Bay. It is named after the city of Le Havre, France. During the Revolutionary War, General Lafayette (a War hero), visited the town several times (Then named Harmers). He commented that the area reminded him of the French seaport Le Havre. The towns residents were inspired and and incorporated the town in 1785 as Havre De Grace. In 1789 George Washington stayed here on his way to his first inauguration. During the first Congress in 1789, Havre De Grace missed by only one vote being named the Capitol of the United States. From 1912 to the 1950’s Havre De Grace was known as “The Graw” a gangster and gambler hangout. Al Capone was reported to stay at the towns historic Chesapeake Hotel. The City was honored as one of America’s top 20 best small towns to visit in 2014 by Smithsonian Magazine.
The next day we headed to Chesapeake City. We exited the Chesapeake Bay (loved our time on the Bay ♥️ Thank You ) and entered The Chesapeake & Delaware Canal (C & D Canal). The Canal is notorious for its strong currents and challenging docking situations. We planned accordingly, and arrived at the Chesapeake Inn during slack tide. The Inn didn’t take take dock reservations (first come first served), we got lucky 🍀 and were assigned the last slip for the night! It’s a charming old town with a population less than 1,000.
It was nice to take a month break from Loop Life...but...after a week back aboard Thistle, we know it’s it’s our happy place ⚓️🇺🇸♥️🙂.
😍
The many neighborhoods of Baltimore.
We were the Red Star near Fells Point.
More Rain☔️.
The Pendry Hotel is an prime example of the “Charm City”.
It was an old delapadated waterfront warehouse (Before) and today (After) is a spectacular hotel.
Art in the Pendry.
More art in the Pendry.
“O Say Can You See...”
The Baltimore Harbor is challenged with runoff storm debris.
There are numerous Professors Trash Wheels strategically placed around the Harbor.
Reenie’s favorite museum.
😜
Dinner in the “ Little Italy” Neighborhood.
Sightseeing in Baltimore.
Brick Sidewalks.
Escher like flooring in the Pendry Bar (tricky to negotiate after a glass of 🍷 wine?).
All Smiles 😊😊to be back on the Loop.
MV Redhead (owned by the Active Captain creator) was at Anchorage Marina.
We had to dodge huge tree trunks exiting the Harbor.
Our final port stops on the Chesapeake Bay (yellow line).
Baltimore
Havre De Grace
Chesapeake City
Muddy water (from all of the rain) on the Chesapeake Bay.
Log Pond Marina in Havre De Grace.
Beautiful homes on the Main Street.
Susquehanna National Wildlife Refuge in Havre De Grace.
Breakfast at an old school diner.
Lighthouse.
Thistle docked at Log Pond Marina.
The water cleared up after two days of no rain 👍.
Beautiful homes and farms along the waterfront.
The C & D Canal.
It is a 14 mile long, 450 foot wide and 35 feet deep,
man-made Canal connecting The Chesapeake Bay and Delaware River.
Chesapeake City Inn docks.
Yes, pink lighting 🎀.
Great dinner @ Prime.
The Inn was on this month’s cover of Chesapeake Magazine 💖.
No comments:
Post a Comment