Cindy was born in Baltimore, and has extended family there, so she was looking forward to going. We stayed in the Inner Harbor Marina, which had mixed reviews. We found it to be a nice marina - the area was safe with great access (water taxis, etc.) anywhere we wanted to go. Plus, it was easy and secure for people coming to visit to park. The area was a popular dog meet-up, so Ruby got to meet lots of new friends and run and romp with them off-leash.

We were assigned a spot on their long face-dock sandwiched between two large (read expensive) boats - one sail and one power. This challenge brought out a crowd of on-lookers - including the owners of the boats most at risk, in addition to the marina dockhands that were there to help us. Prior to approaching the dock, I asked (over the radio) if they were sure the space was large enough for us. An assuring young voice came back that from a distance it always looks smaller than it really is. After putting the boat on the dock without any drama the crowds dispersed, and I asked the dockhands what the betting line was on our hitting one of the boats - they got a kick out of that. We found the local boaters, as well as other transients like us to be very friendly.

As you already know, our friends from Davis Diesel spent part of the day with me in Baltimore replacing the port injector pump (the starboard side had been replaced in Norfolk). Meanwhile, Cindy spent the day with a cousin, catching up, touring the Inner Harbor area and having lunch.

Another one of Cindy’s cousins joined us for a tour of Fort McHenry (be sure to take your National Park Pass). We had viewed (from the water as we entered Baltimore Harbor) the Fort, as well as the location (a red, white and blue buoy) where Francis Scott Key stood aboard a British ship looking through the morning mist to see which flag flew over the Fort after a night of shelling from the British warships. The tour was very informative, and in addition to learning a lot about the particulars of the War of 1812, and the role the Fort played, we also learned about the numerous other “lives” the Fort had - like the largest military hospital when it was set-up and taken down, to treat casualties from WWI and the controversy over the statue selected from a competition and eventually erected to honor the Fort. As you stood at the Fort looking out at the Harbor, you could not help but “feel” what happened here.

We grabbed a late lunch at Phillips Seafood, a long time Baltimore establishment. The Restaurant and Piano Bar has a special meaning to Cindy’s cousin because her mother played there, and she spent many a night there with her mother.

We had numerous recommendations to not miss seeing the Aquarium. Cindy discovered (and we took advantage) that they have a half-price special on Fridays after 5PM. I cannot say enough good things about this Aquarium. It is by far the best I have ever seen. The presentation, as well as the content is just awesome. Because of the Friday pricing, numerous families were also taking advantage of the special. This gave us the additional enjoyment of watching and listening to all of the young kids as they looked with amazement at the creatures of the sea.

Unfortunately, our time ran out well before we were ready to move on from Baltimore. While it is an expensive stay, it is well worth it - we will be back!