Baltimore, Monument City

Baltimore, Monument City

by | Jul 25, 2011 | Pulled Back

Orpheus at Fort McHenry


B’more, Charm City, America’s Comeback City, The City of Firsts, Monument City… I prefer the latter name because it must be the oldest and from our experience so far, represents history’s legacy and the architectural beauty of the city.

John Quincy Adams first coined Baltimore the “monument city” when he visited in 1827 and saw the Battle Monument dedicated to those who died during the War of 1812 and of course the 178-foot-tall first monument to George Washington that dates to 1815 (which by the way is close to where we are staying in Mount Vernon).

We have been here a little over a month. As I write this we are experiencing a heat wave of epic proportions, or at least it feels that way after several days of triple digit temperatures. There is much to see and do here and we have barely made a dent in exploring this city.

 

Ocean City, July 2011

We were able to take a three-day side trip to Ocean City, Maryland, for much-needed beach time. Oh boy, it is like time stood still there — salt water taffy, games and rides on the boardwalk, a fast food bonanza. The beach is timeless and gorgeous.

Farmers Market at Holiday & Saratoga

Famous Lexington Market since 1782

We have enjoyed several farmers markets, the Inner Harbor, ArtScape, the Lexington Market, Baltimore Museum of Art, Druid Hill Park, Patterson Park, Fell’s Point, and nearby Great Falls Park for a hike.  The Charm City Circulator — I call it the Charmer and Betsy calls it the C — is a great and free way to get around town.

 

Baltimore has a jazz legacy, being the birthplace of Billy Holiday, Eubie Blake, Cab Calloway, and Chick Webb; we have yet to experience all that is offered here.

It is an area rich in history and flavor. We are looking forward to  some good music and cruising the harbor in the water taxis!

Being in Baltimore has led to a refresh of our U.S. history lessons of key events such as the War of 1812, the Battle of Baltimore, the burning of D.C., the key role of Fort McHenry, the Tecumseh brothers, and the significant location of Baltimore between North and South during the Civil War.

 

 

Pagoda in Patterson Park

It’s a timely place to be. Exactly 150 years ago this month not far from here,  the First Battle of Bull Run gave the Confederate forces a taste of victory and the North reason to realize it would be a long and bloody war.

The pagoda at left is in Patterson Park which provided the high ground and key defensive position for U.S. forces against British ground forces in the Battle of Baltimore during the War of 1812.

This is our second extended stay in the South. Last year we spent a couple of months in Morganton, North Carolina; we appreciate our time in places where contemporary and diverse American culture is steeped in history.

Baltimore is not without its current struggles, echoing those of other U.S. cities — unemployment, crime and housing blight — but it appears to be fighting to overcome, and we have encountered nothing but friendly and happy (even if overheated) people here.

More from Charm Monument City as we battle with the heat to do and see more.

 

 

 

A trip to D.C. is still in the works.
Hasta Luego Buenos Aires

Hasta Luego Buenos Aires

by | Jun 27, 2011 | Deep In It

Buenos Aires

On Wednesday June 15, 2011, we left Buenos Aires on one of the first flights to the United States out of the capital after the eruption of the Puyehue volcano in southern Chile spewed its ashes across Argentina.

The winds played capricious games with itineraries across the continent. Our original flight was for Monday the 13th. Ever the optimists, we took the $40, one-hour cab ride to the airport for our scheduled flight. We found ourselves back in our apartment pretty quickly, 80 bucks poorer. We were told Friday was the earliest available flight to the U.S.

Tuesday was the scramble day, trying to find a flight to the States. We looked at every option out there. A previously scheduled memorial service three days away on Friday in Michigan was not something we were prepared to miss.

Around noon on Tuesday the best option was to take a very long bus ride (700 miles) to Santiago, Chile, which would put us on the west side of the ash cloud. That bus was leaving at 5 pm. It was decision time, make the memorial at all costs or accept our fate in Buenos Aires.

Before we needed to make that decision, at around 12:30 pm, an email came from the local United Airlines representative saying that they had a "special flight" leaving at 9:00 am the next morning if we wanted to be on it. He said the winds were shifting in a hopeful direction and it was supposed to rain overnight, so they thought they could get the flight out. Amazingly, that flight left on time, which had us landing in the U.S. Wednesday evening.

Thursday morning we headed to Flint, Michigan, some 576 miles away in our 2003 Buick. The memorial loomed on Friday at 1:00 pm. With time to spare, we shared in the memorial and spent the weekend with relatives.

Downtown Flint Above the Cobblestone Street

Boston Skyline

The following Tuesday we drove to Boston, Massachusetts (725 miles), to help our daughter move. A good night's rest in a motel and back on the road to Baltimore, Maryland (411 miles). So, seven days, some 5,000 flight miles and 1,700 driving miles since landing on our special flight out of Buenos Aires on Wednesday evening we began settling into our Baltimore apartment. It is Sunday the 26th, time to get busy.

We have much more to write about Buenos Aires. We spent four wonder-filled months in that great city. Our Spanish improved, we enjoyed several museums, some excellent meals, saw Placido Domingo perform live outdoors, listened to a symphony at Teatro Colon, reveled in spectacular natural beauty, and met some wonderful people. If you ever have the opportunity, seize it -- get to know Buenos Aires.

Stay tuned for more from ExpatExpressions...

Baltimore, Maryland