We left Mill Creek at 0800, and discovered that we were very lucky to make it into Baltimore Harbor. The Coast Guard closed the inner harbor approach just as we passed through due to the practice safety zone needed over the harbor for the Blue Angels. Had we been 10 minutes later, we would have been anchored in the outer harbor for 6 hours!
As it turns out, this is the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812, and the Battle of Baltimore was a critical part of the war. The bombardment of Ft. McHenry resulted in the Star Spangled Banner, and the celebrations of these events are happening now. Through blind luck we were able to get a slip in a marina near all of the festivities.
Thursday afternoon after our arrival we enjoyed the Blue Angels practice, then walked down to the inner harbor to look at some of the tall ships. We had an excellent dinner in Little Italy, then walked back to the boat. Friday we took the water taxi to Ft. McHenry, where seeing the 15 star flag flying over the fort was certainly inspiring.
After returning by water taxi, we visited Davidge Hall at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, a very nostalgic place for me. We walked to the Lexington Market, an open air marketplace that has to be experienced, since describing it just wouldn't do.
Saturday was the Blue Angels show over Baltimore harbor, and our boat slip provided an excellent view. Thousand of people were lining the docks and the waterfront, both for the air show and for the fireworks later that night over the fort. There was a second show on Sunday, and Skip, Linda, and a friend drove up to join us on the boat.
Anne and Grant needed to leave for the airport later Sunday afternoon, so we said goodbye on the docks. We will stay 2 more days to rest and will leave on Tuesday when the warships and tall ships are scheduled to depart