Baltimore!

The weather continued cloudy and windless as we chugged from Rhode River to Baltimore. Signs of the recession were evident as we passed 6 anchored ships just before crossing under the Bay Bridge, which joins the mainland to the Eastern Shore. Debris from Hurricane Irene had been floating past us for much of the time, but became a problem as we approached Baltimore. Pieces of docks, plastic, metal tubs and partially submerged trees floated all around us. We did lots of zig zagging and still managed to be alarmed by a thump under the boat as we missed spotting something.

We had anticipated a short stay in Baltimore, but were mesmerized by the changes which had occured in the past 20 years. The Inner Harbor pulses with life and activity. We stayed three days and discovered on the thirs day that we could have done it all for free rather than the $2 per foot fee, charged by the marina. There is a public anchorage, in front of the Coast Guard Lightship museum. Baltimore deserves two thumbs up for its renewal of their city's heart, the waterway. We took advantage of the first sunshine we'd seen in over a week to walk up Federal Hill to the park and look below at our marina and the harbor.

The Inner Harbor is surrounded by brick walkways, jogging paths, a volleyball pit with 7 courts and nightly games, museums, stores, restaurants, and marinas, all served by a fleet of buzzing water taxis. For $10 you can buy a pass and ride all day.  We walked most places, but on the third day, rode out to the inspiring Fort McHemry, home of the Star Spangled Banner and the defense of Baltimore in the war of 1812.We also visite all four historical boats anchored in the harbor itself and walked and dined in the Fells point area, which still has streets looking much as they did in the 1700s.....if you discount the cars. We walked one evening in the spitting rain for tapas at happy hour overlooking the wooden ship Constellation. Nights in the city aboard the boat were a treat A nice visit and one we would repeat.