The Maryland Experience

Up until the pandemic, our trips to Baltimore over Memorial Day had become kind of a tradition.  For the last couple of years that's gone by the wayside.  But finally, we were able to start it up again and what a weekend!

We flew out on Friday and landed in Baltimore about 2-ish.  Emily picked us up and took us over to her apartment so that we could see it.  (It's really nice, by the way).  Then she took us on a little tour of her neighborhood.

The Domino Sugars sign.  At night, the sign is lit up in red.  It was installed in 1951.  The refinery, however, opened it's doors in 1922.  The refinery still produces very large quantities of various types of sugar.  I wish I could have seen it at night.  Next time...

St. Mary, Star of the Sea Catholic Church, built in 1871.  The church was built to serve the Irish immigrant community in South Baltimore.  As most of the workers were sailors or shipbuilders, the church has a beacon on top of the spire to welcome them back to the Port of Baltimore.

View from Federal Hill.  Federal Hill was a defensive stronghold during the War of 1812 (which took place during the presidency of James Monroe when the British wouldn't leave our ships alone).

Another beautiful view of downtown from Federal Hill.  There's definitely more to explore here.  We'll be coming back when we can spend some more time.

I think this is a real Baltimore Oriole.

Emily and John deciding on where to go next...which was out to Courtney and Dave's house.

If you've read my blogs, you know we've been out there many times but every time we come out, we learn something new or try something new.  It's always an adventure and this time was no different.  Courtney (who should really be an event planner because she's really good at organizing and planning fun stuff to do) had a whole Maryland Experience theme going.  Here was our itinerary.

Friday night, we got Ledo's Pizza, which was voted best pizza in Maryland.  The crust is kind of flaky like a pastry.  But more importantly, it was really good.  I ate so much that I forgot to take a picture!

Then there were Berger's cookies, which were also delicious.  The company was started in 1835 in East Baltimore by a German immigrant named Henry Berger.

This is me and my masseuse, Maeve.  She's giving me a great shoulder massage.

Courtney, Maeve and Emily.

Emily and Dave chilling after dinner. 

The next day was pretty chill.  In keeping with the Maryland Experience, we had scones with clotted cream and jam from Reynolds Tavern.  The tavern goes back to 1747 and was owned by William Reynolds.  Lots of history there but back to the scones.  They were very tasty!

After breakfast, we went to the beach which is within walking distance from the house.  Rowan (in the blue helmet) and Maeve (in the yellow helmet) rode their scooters while John, Courtney and  just walked. 

Maeve, Rowan and Haggis hanging out at the beach.

Then, everyone went in the water.  I wish I'd thought to bring gym clothes and I'd have gone in too!  After our beach excursion, we went back to the house and had chicken salad from Graul's, which is a local market that is very popular.  The chicken salad was really good.  

Graul's Market started back in 1920 in Baltimore City by Fred and Esther Graul.  Their son opened the first Graul's super market in Cape St. Claire, where Courtney and Dave live, in 1945.  The stores are still family owned and are run by the 4th generation.

Saturday night was the big night.  We were headed to downtown Annapolis for some live music but first, we went to the Rams Head Tavern for dinner.  Courtney used to wait tables here back in the day.

Curt met us up at the restaurant for dinner.  We had some really tasty food, frosty beverages and great company.

After dinner we decided to walk around downtown Annapolis.  Dave decided to wait for us at the bar.

On one of the buildings, they had this great mural of Thurgood Marshall and Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

The Kunta Kinte - Alex Haley Memorial. More amazing history to be explored.  The memorial commemorates the place where Kunta Kinte landed.  The memorial is more than just the statue.  There is a story board that goes around the wall.  I'll have to come back and check this out more fully as well.

The entrance to the United States Naval Academy.  We didn't actually go on the campus.  John's dad graduated from the Naval Academy.  The academy was started in 1845 under George Bancroft as Secretary of the Navy.  (As an unrelated side note, that's the name of the submarine that my dad served on while he was in the Navy.  USS George Bancroft).

The three Finch cousins: Emily, John and Courtney.  I don't know where Curt went.

More horsing around before the show.  We really enjoyed our quick tour of downtown Annapolis and I want to go back and explore some more.

Valerie June!  I had no idea what to expect from this show but it was really good.  We had fabulous seats.  It was an intimate venue, the sound was great - all in all, a great show.

After the show, trying to figure out how to get an uber home.

Aunt MaryAnn.

Sunday was kayaking.  Now, if anyone else had asked me if I wanted to go kayaking, I would have laughed out loud.  But when Courtney asked, she said it was so fun and she's never steered me wrong.  

So check it out!  I'm kayaking!  And it was so fun.  I never would have thought so but I really enjoyed it.  I was really slow and but Emily hung back with me so I couldn't get too lost.  We paddled around the marina and saw some pretty nice houses that were along the water.

Rowan paddled with Dave.

Maeve did and "eenie-meenie-miney-moe" and picked John to kayak with.

My buddy Emily.  She kept me moving and from running aground.

Rowan, back on land.  I love how animated she is.

After the kayaking, on the ride home.

Everyone was still pretty pumped.

Once we got home, Rowan was intently watching Scooby Doo.  At one point, Maeve, Emily and I joined her.  Zoinks!  It was a blast from the past.

Courtney, John, Emily and I took Haggis to the other beach.  We all tossed the tennis ball out into the water for him to fetch.  He did great!  He even swam a bit.

An then, he crashed on the beach.

That night, Dave grilled some burgers and we had Royal Farms fried chicken, which is world famous (in following with our Maryland Experience).  The Royal Farms chicken places are in a gas station.  Who knew you could get such good chicken at a gas station?  We all sat outside and ate but while dinner was cooking, Haggis got another work out.  Emily and John were throwing that tennis ball and Haggis was going after it with all he had.

Dave and the girls participated in some trampoline activities.  The girls spent so much time jumping around in there.  I'm not sure where they get the energy.

Our final Maryland Experience food item was the Smith Island cake.  Smith Island is a tiny island in Maryland.  The cake was started back in the 1800's by the women of the island.  They would make them for their husbands during the autumn oyster harvest.  Now you can order a cake, which is made on the island, and have it shipped to you.

When we go to Maryland on Memorial Day, Courtney always does something to celebrate John's birthday.  So the cake was meant to be a birthday cake for him.  Maeve and Rowan wanted to decorate it.  So they did.

The finished product.  I admit that I helped.  I added the HB John.  It was really tough to squeeze that frosting out of the tube...

A slice of Smith Island Cake - the cake has 8 - 10 layers and is traditionally yellow cake with chocolate icing.  You can get other flavors of both.  This cake was yummy.  

We love hanging out with these guys.  Courtney and Dave are such great hosts and lots of fun.  We appreciate that Emily joins us because she is always up for any new adventure.  We look forward to our visits every year.  It's always a new Maryland Experience!

Below is the video of the birthday song.