Category Archives: history

Sailing the Chesapeake

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One of the things that’s long been on my to-do list is to go sailing. This summer, thanks to a Groupon offer, I finally got to go on a sailboat in the Chesapeake. 

No, not this sailboat. We went out for a day with BaySail Sailing School up in Havre de Grace, a quick 45 minute trip outside the city. They have several little sailboats they’ll charter for day trips with a captain and 4 paying crew members. Ironically, the weekend we went for a sail was also the weekend of the Sailabration pictured above in Baltimore’s Inner Harbor-a kick off event to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812.  Why is that War so important to commemorate in Baltimore? Besides the fact that battles were actually fought in the harbor (remember, this is the War in which the British sacked the White House and Dolly Madison saved the portrait of George Washington), it was also when Baltimore’s own Francis Scott Key wrote our national anthem.

Fortunately for our small sailboat, we were quite a ways from the crowded Inner Harbor area. BaySail was great to work with-friendly and knowledgeable staff members. The Groupon offer definitely made the day more affordable but we got our money’s worth either way, spending literally all day out on the water learning the basics and taking turns at different jobs. I found the radio chatter between motorboats and sailboats to be particularly amusing-as you can imagine they are natural enemies-and also loved learning to steer (I’m sure there’s a more technical term).

in front of the marinaAt the Bayview marina in Havre de Grace

I also learned how dependent sailboats are on wind. I mean, everyone knows that. But it was amazing to see the effects that slight directional differences and strength of the gusts had on both our speed and ability to maneuver. I decided I’d definitely like to learn more. That’s one of the nicest thing about coupons from places like Groupon, LivingSocial, or GoogleOffers-you can try out something you normally wouldn’t want to spend much on. Granted, you do have to actually remember to use the coupons.

Speaking of sailing and coupons, another great offer we got this summer was a pirate cruise around Baltimore’s Inner Harbor with Urban Pirates! The instant I saw the special offer I knew it would be perfect for my brother-in-law’s 21st birthday when he came to visit us. And it was! The crew at Urban Pirates are great, adding lots of fun “extras” to an already fun adventure, including great music, games, and free costumes to wear onboard. They’re great for kids’ parties or outings during the day but also offer “Bring Your Own Grog” tours after business hours, which is what we did. Located down in Fells Point, they’re also perfectly situated for parties that are just getting started and would like to continue on land (we had a bachelor party on board with us).

urban pirates

With the crew of Urban Pirates

I’d highly recommend either cruise if you’re itching to get out on the water this summer! Or if you just want to be a pirate for a day!

Any other recommendations for getting out on the water near Baltimore? And what’s the best Groupon/LivingSocial offer you’ve found? Leave a comment to share!

I-Q, Part 2 of Baltimore A-Z!

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Long overdue, but in posting my A-Z list of Baltimore, I left off right after H, for Hampton House (and Hampden), so next up is:

I is for Iggy’s pizza! This is gourmet pizza at its finest, with all the effort concentrated on the actual pizza and no extra frills thrown in (as in you bus your own table/no wait staff to tip and also BYOB). Instead of tips, they choose one charity a month to collect donations for, with the proceeds always going to local initiatives right here in Baltimore.

J is for Joe Squared pizza! I didn’t plan to use two pizza places in this post, but while we’re talking about gourmet pizza, Joe Squared deserves a mention. They boast creative originals such as the “Flag Pizza”, a pizza divided into third by the sauces used: red sauce, white cheese sauce, and green (pesto) sauce.  Joe Squared features live music and has outdoor seating available as well as a new location which recently opened up down in the Powerplant area. They have also been highlighted on the Food Network’s “Diners, Drive-Ins, and Dives”.

K is for Kinetic Sculpture Race.  I had heard people talk about this race but been at a loss as to what exactly it was.  Think human powered machines (aka bikes) attached to very creative and fun floats which must then proceed through a winding obstacle course around Baltimore.  This all day event sponsored by the American Visionary Art Museum includes a water loop as well as sand and mud pits which must be navigated by the machines in Patterson Park.  The best part is that it covers many different areas of the city so you can check out the parts of the race that fit with your schedule.  Definitely a Baltimore original that is a must-see if you are in town that weekend.

One of this year's entrants in the Race, paying appropriate homage to the fact that the race was held on Cinco de Mayo.

L is for Libation Lounge.  Craft cocktails and masterfully mixed drinks are gaining in popularity nationwide, but one of the best places to get handcrafted drinks in Baltimore is through one of the ‘Libation Lounge‘ events put on by the guys over at Post Prohibition.  Check out their Facebook group to stay up to date on their schedule and seasonal drink offerings or check out some of the recipes at Post Prohibition’s website if you’d rather make your own.

M is for McHenry, Fort McHenry! I feel that even though I have not yet been to Fort McHenry, I would be remiss indeed not to include this in a list of Baltimore.  My feeling is that 2012 is the perfect year for me to check out Fort McHenry since the Star Spangled Sailabration begins here in Baltimore in just a few days, celebrating the bicentennial of the War of 1812 and the writing of our national anthem right here in Baltimore’s harbor!

N is for Natty Boh.  The classic symbol of the beer originally brewed in Baltimore is everywhere, still frequently used in billboard ads along with the Utz potato chip girl.

O is for the O’s.  The Orioles are a much beloved baseball team despite being perennially bad in recent years.  Still, the team of Cal Ripken, Jr. has a special place in the heart of Baltimore.

P is for Pitango Gelato.  Where else are you going to find artisan gelato made from all natural ingredients aside from Italy itself? Answer: Fells Point gelato shop, Pitango! Any excuse to go there works for me!

Q is for quality produce from the Farmer’s Market! Okay, so “Q” is a bit of a stretch, but I am not exaggerating the quality of Baltimore’s 2 fabulous farmer’s markets.  The slightly smaller, and more manageable, Charles Village farmer’s market is open year-round on Saturday mornings with everything you need for fresh cooking and pastries to munch while you shop.  The larger Sunday morning market under the base of I-83 features all the things you’d expect to find at a farmer’s market and more, including ready-made food, at least one butcher’s stand, and artisan gifts.

R-Z coming up soon! Check out A-H if you missed the first post!

 

A-H, as in “Aha! Look at all Baltimore has to offer!”

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Having been prodded out of my writing apathy by two spirited responses to my initial A-Z of Baltimore challenge (one posted as a comment here and one posted by Leland over at the Some Adventure blog), I finally decided that I could at least decide on what to list for the first 8 letters of the alphabet.  My problem isn’t so much coming up with something for each letter but in agonizing over which Baltimore icon is most deserving out of all the options. Since the only limitations for this list are ones which I’m putting on myself, I realized this is a sneaky excuse for my procrastination.  So maybe I’ll end up with 3 separate lists! But anyway, here’s my start…feel free to submit your own list!

A is for ART…Artscape, American Visionary Art Museum, Baltimore Museum of Art, and the Walters. There are way too many amazing art galleries here to highlight just one of them and if you’re visiting, you have to check out at least one! There’s even a Groupon right now for the AVAM (available for the next 3 days, half price)! Meanwhile, BMA and the Walters (other than special exhibits) are always free.  If you’re around the city near the end of July, then also check out Artscape: the weekend long free festival of performances, shows, art sales, and outdoor music. (Pro tip: Do not try to move in or out of the Bolton Hill neighborhood during this weekend.)

B is for Berger Cookies…I can’t even talk right now as the mere thought of one of these scrumptious cookies smothered in fudge is making my mouth water. I hadn’t even heard of these until moving here and loved discovering that this classic Baltimore icon can be picked up in local grocery stores!

berger cookies

C is for Celebrating at the Charleston or City Cafe…The Charleston is in a class of its own when it comes to restaurants. With an award winning chef and staff, this nationally recognized restaurant will have you eating things you don’t even like…and raving about them! (case in point: me and oysters)  Located near other upscale Harbor East establishments, the only downside is you might have to liquidate a small trust fund to afford a dinner at the Charleston.  For a more manageable night out, check out City Cafe which still features amazing artisan creations from chef Chad Gauss coupled with a stylish and upbeat interior.  These are my top two places for a celebratory dinner.

D is for Dangerously Delicious Pies…Pirate symbolism and pies team up to create a unique Baltimore gem. Featured on the Food Network’s “The Best Thing I Ever Ate” and other shows, you have to stop in at their Canton location to see what all the fuss is about. I’ve tried both sweet and savory as you can buy whole pies or by the slice. Another great option is to buy the mini-pies they sell at the Charles Village Farmer’s Market…

E is for Enoch Pratt Free Library…The Enoch Pratt system is one of the oldest free library systems in the United States.  The Central Library downtown is a beautiful building. They offer frequent speakers, fun kids events, and free classes. If you’re a resident, check out their Twitter feed to stay up to date.

F is for Food Truck Rallies…I never thought I’d be excited to go to a truck rally but that was before finding out about the semi-regular food truck rallies that are occurring in Baltimore.  Don’t be fooled by the trucks; the food is gourmet! And if you can’t catch a rally, try following individual trucks like Kooper’s Chowhound on Twitter to stay apprised of their current locations for lunch.

greek fest

G is for Gyros at Greek Fest…Baltimore is home to a plethora of ethnic heritage festivals throughout the year, all of which are worth checking out. The first one I went to, and the most memorable so far, was the Greek Fest in November located at the intersection of Preston and Maryland.  A great article on the Baltimore Sun’s website highlighting the dancing, art, and fabulous food choices to be found at the festival is online here.

H is for Hampton House (and Hampden)…If you want a slightly quieter afternoon, head out to Hampton House (National Historic Site) just off I-695 near Towson for a tour of the historic mansion and grounds.  You can step into the gigantic underground ice house and marvel at the effort that went into having ice cream in the summer or enjoy a stroll through the beautiful English-style gardens.  If you’re not so keen on history, check out the Avenue in Hampden, complete with all the kitschy “Hon” charm, delicious restaurants, and niche shops.  You never know what you’ll find in Hampden.

More ideas for I-Z coming soon! In the meantime, post your list!